(Image credit: Steam)

Three years ago I said the cozy game trend hadn't even peaked yet . It probably still hasn't. I also predicted that the grassroots social media term was about to get picked up by marketing and publishing teams something fierce, and I'm coming back to tell you that boy howdy did they pick it up. We've entered cozy gaming's gold rush era. Don't call me a prophet, but...

"As we well know, marketing chases demand, which means that "cozy" games haven't actually peaked yet. I've only received 15 emails from this year that include the term and I'm expecting that number to rocket in 2024 as developers, publishers, and press teams all learn the magic word." — Me, three years ago

Cozy games on Google

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The past five years of search demand on Google for cozy games, relaxing games, and casual games. (Image credit: Google Trends)

First let's check back in on the same Google Search data I pulled in 2023 to compare how much we, the audience, are actually seeking cozy games.…