The cosy game genre is more crowded than ever, making it increasingly difficult for new farming sims to stand out. While many lean heavily on familiar mechanics borrowed from classics like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, Everdream Village takes a few welcome risks of its own.
Minecraft is having a real community renaissance, and smaller, more intentional servers are leading the way. As players return for creativity, comfort, and connection, spaces like Starless SMP show how powerful cosy, people first worlds can be. In this feature, we talk to the team behind Starless about building a safe, welcoming server for girls and nonbinary players, from plushies and post offices to magazines and daily events. We also introduce G.URL SMP, now live at play.gurlworld.live.
Ten years into her work in Black character design, Danielle ‘Ebonix’ Udogaranya reflects on influence, visibility, and the future of games.
When two icons of early internet life collide, magic happens. Habbo Hotel and Neopets have teamed up for a crossover bursting with pixel nostalgia, pet companions, and collectible chaos. It’s more than a campaign: it’s a time capsule from 2005, reborn for the players who never really logged out.
After 14 years of silence, Katamari Damacy is back to roll through time and grab your attention.
Habbo Hotel turns 25 this year, marking a chaotic legacy of furniture scams, controversy, internet infamy and unexpected survival. Once a hotspot, it faced near collapse – but it's still online, and still finding ways to reinvent itself for a new generation.
Hello Kitty’s first ever DLC is dropping — and it’s a dreamy, flour-dusted world of magic ruins, soft girl lore, and new bestie Cogimyun. Wheatflour Wonderland launches this September, bringing the biggest update yet to Island Adventure. Think bakery-core meets mythic quest, with carbs, cuteness, and emotional depth.
No A-listers. No viral stunt casting. Nintendo just revealed the faces of Link and Zelda for its live-action film — and it’s refreshingly understated. Rising talents Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth step into the green tunic and royal gown, signalling a quieter, more serious take on Hyrule’s cinematic debut.
With every new life sim release, something gets shinier — but also flatter. Meanwhile, The Sims 3 continues to spiral in on itself, breaking in new ways and revealing stranger layers the longer you play. 600 hours deep, it’s still the only game I know that feels alive in its decay.
ZA/UM Atelier just crash-landed at Paris Fashion Week with The Alters collection - a cyber-survivalist line fusing gaming weirdness, Gorpcore outerwear and glitch-pattern kimonos. It’s clothing built for alternate timelines, dystopian cities and looting your future self’s wardrobe. A sharp, worldbuilding collision of high fashion and speculative identity play.
Infinity Nikki is Falling Apart at the Seams
What was meant to be Infinity Nikki’s redemption update turned into its biggest disaster yet. From crashing servers to a fandom at war, the long-awaited 1.5 patch exposed deeper cracks in the game’s foundation — and now, both players and developers are scrambling to save what’s left.
Mudborne is the Anti-Chore Cosy
In a gaming landscape overrun by pastel to-do lists, Mudborne croaks back with surreal swamp logic, frog genetics, and cosmic pond gods. It’s cosy with edge, structured without stress — a tender, muddy rebirth for players burnt out by the genre’s grind. Finally, a cosy that doesn’t condescend.
Mario Kart’s Women Are Finally Taking the Lead
Mario Kart World marks a bold step forward in embracing female characters, with expanded rosters, customisation, and stunning new skins. While the game celebrates diversity, there’s still room for growth, particularly with underappreciated characters like Birdo.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure: Sanrio’s Cutest Time Sink
This isn’t just a Hello Kitty cash grab — it’s a dangerously cosy life sim with surprising depth. Between decorating, crafting, and befriending Sanrio icons, Hello Kitty Island Adventure turns downtime into a full-time commitment. Cute? Absolutely. Addictive? More than you’d think. Here’s why you won’t be able to put it down.
Inside the Animal Crossing x SeaLife Exhibition
If you're a fan of Animal Crossing, the Aquarium Tour at SeaLife is a must-see, combining the charm of the game with real-life sea creatures. From meet-and-greets with Tom Nook and Isabelle to hidden villager stamps, it’s an experience that celebrates both the game and its passionate community. But is it worth the ticket price?
The Minecraft Library Preserving Press Freedom in a World of Censorship
In a world where truth is increasingly under threat, a virtual library built in Minecraft offers a sanctuary for banned journalism, ensuring that suppressed stories are never truly erased.
Meet the Artist Transforming Birmingham through PS1 Visuals
Kyle Hill (@_kyjhi), a West Midlands-based 3D artist and music producer, has taken social media by storm with his nostalgic, low-poly recreations of Birmingham. Inspired by PS1 aesthetics and early 2000s gaming, his work transforms real-world locations into digital dreamscapes, resonating with both locals and retro gaming fans alike.
Australia’s Gaming Boom Has a Secret Weapon
Australia’s gaming industry isn’t just growing - it’s thriving. With revenue doubling in the past five years and homegrown studios making waves globally, there’s never been a better time to be a game developer Down Under. But who’s making sure this momentum keeps going?
Sim-fully Overlooked: The Chaotic Brilliance of The Sims Bustin’ Out and The Urbz on GBA
The Sims on Game Boy Advance wasn’t about designing the perfect home or finding true love—it was about surviving in weird, chaotic cities with nothing but odd jobs and big dreams. Bustin' Out and The Urbz ditched the cosy life sim formula and gave us something messier, funnier, and way more relatable. It's about time we gave these underrated handheld gems the love they deserve.
Dogz: A GBA Cult Classic
Dogz for the Game Boy Advance wasn’t just a game; it was a lesson in care, empathy, and chaos disguised as pixelated cuteness. While your siblings were conquering Mushroom Kingdoms or wielding Master Swords, you were busy teaching a jerky little sprite to sit, stay, and love. In all its tinny, glitchy glory, Dogz remains a small but mighty cornerstone of handheld gaming nostalgia.