The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is like junk-food to me

I’ve postponed my monthly subscription as I focus on the start of my new apprenticeship through January (more about that coming soon). But no doubt I’ll end up returning to it at some point this year and begin playing again regularly, as I always seem to do.

ESO is comfort food in gaming form. It’s easy to consume, just like opening a packet of biscuits and not noticing how many you’ve eaten until it’s empty. This game welcomes me with open arms and its like I’ve never been away whenever I log in. Familiar mechanics, straightforward gameplay and no learning curve provide a refuge where I can forget about deadlines, meetings and to-do lists.

As lovely as this sounds, it isn’t a title many gamers would typically define as ‘cosy’. Cosy video games are generally regarded as those featuring charming environments, soothing soundtracks, a simple playing experience and low-stress objectives. Such releases evoke emotions of warmth and relaxation, and usually focus on creating an inviting atmosphere of tranquillity.

This is the reason why using the term to refer to a specific type of game annoys me a little. I’ve discussed this briefly over on the Later Levels’ Twitch channel several times. When you conduct a cursory analysis using the elements described above, ESO doesn’t quite fit into this genre of gaming – but it’s definitely a cosy experience for me personally. I get the same warm feelings from it as someone else might get from playing something like Animal Crossing, for example.

The Elder Scrolls Online, video game, fisherman, mudcrab, asleep, fish

Common themes which probably spring to mind include exploration of cute worlds with an emphasis on community, relationships and creativity. Characters are often friendly anthropomorphic animals who like to take part in gentle activities such as farming and fishing. There tends to be a reference to the passing seasons too, either directly through the environment or represented by stages in the protagonist’s life, which allows the developer to use a warm colour palette to invoke nostalgia.

But in reality, what makes a game ‘cosy’ to an individual player is purely subjective. It depends entirely on their preferences and can’t be boiled down into a single genre. Look at the words I’ve used in the paragraphs above to describe a cosy experience: charming, soothing, simple and low-stress. This sums up how I feel about the time I spend with ESO, although to someone else it could be considered an overwhelming, stress-inducing nightmare that they want to stay away from.

Unsurprisingly, point-and-clicks are another type of cosy game for me because of my familiarity with them. There’s nothing I like better than having a new adventure ready to go on a quiet Saturday morning, knowing there’s nothing else I have to do for the weekend other than enjoy the story. But I understand that these releases don’t appeal to everyone. The thought of hunting for pixels, wading through dialogue trees and solving obtuse puzzles may put other players off immediately.

It works the same in reverse. For example, several blogger friends have recommended Witch Beam’s Unpacking to me several times – a release which is generally regarded as being cosy. I tried to play it last year during a day off work but it ended up being uninstalled around half an hour later. It may have received favourable reviews and several awards, but I found it rather boring; there was nothing there to keep me focused and my mind kept wandering off to other things I could have been doing.

Categorising video games as ‘cosy’ based on the predetermined elements described earlier therefore seems very limiting. An individual’s tastes and experiences shape their experience of comfort and it extends far beyond a warm colour palette or fishing mini-game. The essence of cosiness lies in the personal connection they make with a title, and what fosters this is different for everyone. It could be an engaging narrative, a charming setting, a serene atmosphere – or even the thrill of running into a dungeon with a sword in hand.

Stardew Valley, video game, screenshot, fishing

Perhaps I’m becoming a bit cynical in my old age, but I can’t help thinking that this is just another trend publishers are eager to jump on to boost their profits. I’m almost certain there are executives sitting in an office somewhere right now, declaring that slapping the word ‘cosy’ on their marketing material will guarantee sales of their latest release. The influx of emails I’ve received over the past couple of months that include the term in their subject line is ridiculous, so much so that I now ignore it completely.

Let me be clear: the type of game typically classified as ‘cosy’ will never really appeal to me. However, I do understand that titles like Stardew Valley, Cozy Grove and Lemon Cake have their merits and are loved by many. But adopting a broader perspective allows for a more inclusive view of comfort in gaming. Appreciating the diversity of tastes within the community enriches it as a whole and demonstrates that the definition of comfort is as varied as the players themselves.

We may play video games for different reasons, but there’s a thread that connects everyone. We all want to escape the real world for a while by immersing ourselves in digital lands and forming emotional connections with the characters that reside in them. The thrill of ESO might be the perfect game to achieve that for some, while the simplicity of Animal Crossing might provide it for others. The beauty of gaming lies in its ability to cater to all kinds of preferences so there’s a realm for every player to find solace in.

Dammit. I’ve now written yet another post that mentions ESO. I guess that means my subscription will now be renewed within the next week.