"Cozy" is a famously fuzzy label — even the genre's biggest fans disagree about its edges (see Cozy game for the definitional debate). A reference work still needs an inclusion rule, so here is ours. The wiki documents coziness; it does not gatekeep it.

A game qualifies for an article when either:

  1. Reliable sources describe it as cozy (or close kin: "wholesome", "relaxing", "comfort game") — for example press coverage, the developer's own positioning, or inclusion in recognized showcases such as Wholesome Direct; or
  2. Its documented design fits the genre's recognized characteristics — a low-pressure core loop, absence of fail states or punishing difficulty, and themes of care, comfort, creativity or community — as described by citable sources about the game.

Either way, the article itself must meet Verifiability: the case for a game's coziness has to be sourced, not vibes.

Edge cases, handled honestly

  • Games with combat or stress can still be cozy. Farming sims with dungeon-diving, adventures with light peril, or games with optional challenge belong here when sources treat them as part of the cozy canon. The article should describe the game accurately rather than sanding off its edges.
  • Cozy-adjacent games — titles that sit at the border (chill roguelites, gentle city builders, atmospheric walking sims) — may be covered when sources make the connection. The article should say plainly that the label is contested or partial.
  • Marketing alone is not enough. "Cozy" appears in a lot of store descriptions these days. A self-description with no independent usage may justify a short article, but the sourcing should make clear who is doing the describing.

What the wiki does not cover

Games with no sourced connection to cozy play, vaporware with nothing verifiable published about it, and fan speculation about unannounced titles. Announced-but-unreleased games can be covered once official, citable information exists — with their unreleased status stated plainly.

Disputes

Disagree with an inclusion? Propose an edit making the case with sources, and explain your reasoning in the edit summary. Moderators weigh the sourcing, not the loudest opinion. The genre's blurriness is a documented fact about it — the wiki reflects that rather than resolving it by decree.