Now, have I done this, missed a key detail, and it bit me in the ass later on in the game? Also yes.

I also sometimes do this, especially if the story is meh and it's more about the gameplay. Or if the scene is going on for too long... who has time for it!?

This was a legitimate jump scare on the timeline...

This whole conversation is making me realize that I have no idea what I actually want in a cozy game... which I guess was the original thought: "What is a cozy game?" 😅

And it's interesting but other farm/life sims and the Animal Crossing games haven't resonated as much with me for whatever reason. I almost feel like I can't do as much as I want to do in a given day due to the inherent guardrails. So I guess in that way a "cozy" game needs to give me freedom.

Yeah I'm with you there, Stardew and games like it can cater to a wide range of playstyles where people can get different things out of it, which is great! For me, I just took the min-maxing too far to the point where it wasn't enjoyable anymore just trying to maximize profits. 😅

This is amazing. I have been keeping up with your Citi Bike adventure the entire time and was fascinated by the whole concept of it. Nice work!

Even with Stardew, while it started out as a low friction experience, I did begin to min-max things to the point of making it stressful (trying to get as much money as possible). I guess that in and of itself is a reflection of capitalism and exponential growth is the only god we serve. 😅

My grotesque gamer urge made me min-max my diet to the point where I nearly gave myself an eating disorder. Had to delete the calorie tracking app from my phone and can't wear a smartwatch anymore.

This has me trying to figure out if PowerWash Simulator is a cozy game... Or like those lawnmowing games. They don't work for me and I don't get out of them what I get out of Stardew, as an example, but I feel like they are labor = dopamine for a lot of people, which I can't relate to.

I really like the term "low friction" when it comes to a "cozy" game, or something that's low friction by default but you can seek out more complicated/heavier lift elements if you want (like the mine/combat in Stardew). But you're right, it's so many things. Art style, music, etc.

And I DO celebrate, so thank you.

Love that for you! Keep the magic going as long as you can, I say!

Yeah, maybe lack of inspiration was the wrong word. It's more learning the right lessons from other similar games and taking the best bits of each. I don't think any of the Paper Mario games are bad by any means, just the ones beyond Thousand Year Door haven't clicked with me for whatever reason.

Oh dang, that's one helluva pitch right there.

Man, they’re going to ruin Remedy…

Yesssssss!!!