Shumi Come Home, a forthcoming narrative-based exploration game, will be making an appearance at Jirard “The Completionist” Khalil’s IndieLand charity livestream to show off its eponymous mushroom protagonist, Shumi. The charity event is scheduled to start tomorrow and run until Sunday, November 13. Theindietitle, currently in development by Noah Lone, known online as SomeHumbleOnion, features light puzzle solving, platforming, real-world mycology, with an emphasis on charming,Adventure Time-esque writing.
Lone is a fan of The Completionist and is looking forward to giveShumia chance to shine, but he is equally eager for the opportunity to introduce himself to his audience of cozy game fans. Game Rant spoke with Lone aboutthe inspirations and influences that shapedShumi Come Home, and he also had a lot to share about trends in the cozy game market, including a key insight to the catalyst for the recent cozy game boom.
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Nintendo Switch: The Cozy Gamer’s Platform
Most developers seem to believe thatcozy and comfort gamesare a reflection of current affairs - the world has become a frightening place, so life sims, exploration-based titles, and combat free adventures have become more appealing. But Lone thinks the boom in cozy titles can be traced to a different source: the Nintendo Switch.
“Most of these cozy gamers are playing on the Switch. One of the biggest questions I get about my game is ‘Oh, is it coming to Switch? Is it coming on the Switch?’ because my target audience is cozy gamers, and their target platform, the majority of the time, is the Switch.”
While breakout hits likeStardew Valley,A Short Hike,andSlime Rancherhave helped spread cozy titles on PC,the influence of Nintendo’s system should not be underestimated. Many current owners had their first experience as gamers withAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, which became a social phenomenon as much as a game in the depths of the pandemic. The system’s portability, indie developer-friendly specs, and comparatively affordable price point have helped introduce legions of new fans to the hobby, and that new market has brought new appetites about what games can and should be.
A Personal Connection with Indie Developers
One thing Lone appreciates about indie game development is the ability for creators to form a personal relationship with their audience. AAA game development often appears monolithic to consumers, and many developers experience a sense of anonymity among enormous teams. Despite the tremendous challenges of solo game development, and therising development costs of indie titles, Lone believes the ability to personally connect with his audience is something to be treasured:
“[T]hat’s one thing I love about indie games. It’s a very personal connection between the player and the creator, and I am looking to establish that more with IndieLand.”
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Solo-development necessitates a communicative feedback loopbetween creator and audience. Systems like Early Access releases and Discord forums have made one-to-one communication between devs and players a common, and often vital, part of independent development. In addition to building the game itself, indie developers must also act as community managers, creating a community and communicative ecosystem that will support their titles.
One could also make the argument that such communication is vital for cozy games specifically. Knowing who a creator is can help fans feel good about supporting them as individuals, especially in titles that are meant to act as feel-good experiences. To provide one example,ConcernedApe’s candid discussions with fansin interviews and on Twitter helped foster a sense of community inStardew Valleyearly on, and has led to tremendous anticipation for his forthcoming new title,Haunted Chocolatier.
A Blind Spot in AAA Development
This need for a personal connection may be the primary reason why AAA developers tend to focus on more traditional genres of games rather short-but-sweet, auteur experiences. That is not to say that AAA cozy games are unheard of:Animal Crossing: New Horizonshelped foster the Switch’s success, andrecently dethronedPokemonas Japan’s top-selling game. But Lone is not worried about AAA developers staking claim of the genre any time soon.
Whilecozy gamers are a steadily-growing crowd, there is a much smaller audience for those experiences than more traditional genres of games. That said, Lone is not opposed to the idea of AAA developers moving into the genre, as he approaches the issue from a player’s perspective. More AAA competition may make it harder for indies to get noticed, but more awesome experiences are good for everyone.
Shumi Come Homeis launching for PC and Switch in 2023.
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