e105. Animal Crossing & Cozy Games in Worldwide Pandemics

If you’re listening to our show, chances are you live on the planet Earth (and if not, welcome!) and so that means for the last few week, you have likely been dealing with the near worldwide ramicfications of COVID-19 pandemic. That means social distancing, self quarantine, staying inside and… and playing video games . Right around the time this all started, the Nintendo Switch game, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released and it has quickly become quite possible… partly because no one has anything better to do, but also, we would argue because of the often overlooked importance of “cozy games” — games designed around principles of safety and happiness rather than competition. On this week’s show, Katya, Hannah and Mav are joined by Maisie JG to discuss cozy games in general, Animal Crossing in specific, and why this is all so important suddenly in the socially distanced post-pandemic world that we all find ourselves suddenly living in. Give it a listen and let us know what you think. Citations and Links: * This episode’s Call for Comments* Our previous episode on Gaming an Empire* Our previous episode on The Power of Cuteness* “Cozy Games” by Daniel Cook* “A Theory of Human Motivation” by A. H. Maslow (the Hierarchy of Needs)* The First & Second Treatises of Government by John Locke* cozy games including: Animal Crossing, Slime Rancher, Stardew Valley, Abzu, and somehow Grand Theft Auto, The Arkham Collection, Bioshock Infinite and