Solarpunk is a genre of science fiction that has expanded beyond the artistic realm to become both a scientific and political movement. A successor to Cyberpunk (a genre that emerged in the 1980s to highlight the flaws and developments of capitalist society), Solarpunk, born in the late 2000s, envisions an ideal society free from rampant capitalism. It embraces an imaginative vision that often links technology and nature, respecting human, animal, and environmental health without sacrificing progress.

Denouncing the exploitation of nature and bodies, from capitalism to colonialism, it envisions a world free from any notion of domination, instead fostering welcome mutual aid between communities and peoples. A pleasant escape from anxiety, drawing its aspirations from pure utopia, though sometimes a bit unrealistic.

But are we influenced by our imagination, or is our imagination influenced by our reality? Solarpunk remains an opportunity to let different visions emerge, far from the dark future that seems to loom over us as an immutable truth that cannot be changed now that it has been foretold.

Although cozy games (or "comfort games," which are relaxing and often mainstream) are not a new phenomenon, it took a global pandemic and over 40 million copies of Animal Crossing sold for the genre to gain popularity in mainstream media.

Now, these cute and casual games offer a real opportunity for independent developers to compete in the triple-A market. On TikTok, the hashtag #cozygames has amassed 1.7 billion views, while the popularity of the term "cozy game" reached its historical peak in November 2022.

According to the World Economic Forum, the share of social and casual gaming, which includes cozy gaming, is projected to increase by 175 points between 2017 and 2026 in the video game industry. This represents the largest growth compared to more traditional PC or console gaming.

The obvious representation of the genre remains the independent video game Stardew Valley, the most popular and lucrative cozy game on YouTube, which features all the mechanics of a farming simulator. Growing your own vegetables, shopping at local stores... These are all eco-friendly activities and models of a "slow life," in contrast to rapid and massive consumption behaviors based on a model that no longer seems to make any sense.

More creative options related to nature can only be found within the genre. For example, My Time At Portia allows players to extract resources by using a cage to collect llama wool without killing them. In the more recent Lego Fortnite, a family-friendly survival game, petting chickens and cows provides milk and eggs.

But don't be fooled: the cute graphics and cozy atmospheres can sometimes hide deeper stories and exploring themes that are both committed and diverse. Beyond its sweet image, cozy gaming is a genre more political than it appears. Corruption is addressed in Tulip Tax Invasion, medical deserts and healthcare accessibility in Fall Of Porcupine, and unionism and labor exploitation in Magical Girl Union. Meanwhile, Bury Me, My Love tackles issues related to war and the refugees it generates, and Night In The Woods explores themes such as mental health issues, grief, poverty, abuse, and miscarriages.

Related to cozy literature, cozy games often follow the vein of visual novels, featuring characters in interactive and sound novels where the heroes come to life. These visual novels celebrate diversity in all its forms. Monster Prom XXL immerses the player in a world where their crushes are both male and female monsters, One Night Hot Springs follows the story of a young transgender woman facing the dilemma of Japanese baths, If Found... explores personal identity broadly, A Normal Lost Phone deals with coming out, and Dream Daddy follows a young girl trying to find a new boyfriend for her father.

Cozy games also explore stories and cultures often underrepresented in the video game world: from the Ukrainian tales of Tokuni, to the streets of a small French village in The Spirit and the Mouse, Tamil cooking in Venba, the island inspiration of Summer in Mara, the retro-futuristic game Sable drawing from Bedouin tribes, and Tchia offering an environment inspired by New Caledonia...

This diversity, although it can extend to other video game genres, still provokes numerous controversies, as was the case with the mention of a female character in Call of Duty WWII, LGBT+ characters in The Last of Us, or the first playable female character in GTA 6, which attracted a transphobic theory as soon as the trailer was released.

The world of video games can help find alternatives to the dystopian narrative that other science fiction genres have strongly contributed to shaping.

The ecological theme is not forgotten and is often approached through a lens that is both dark and yet optimistic. This is one of the specialties of cozy games, which often combine the two to create new imaginations beyond the simple apocalypse and its consequences.

The dystopia in After Us talks about second chances, Terra Nil breathes new life into the unlivable. Submerged deals with life after the rising waters, World for Two follows an AI meant to bring life back to a desolate Earth and save the world from mass extinction. In Eco, the goal is to save the world from a meteor without destroying the ecosystem you inhabit. In Cloud Garden, the player is tasked with restoring an abandoned environment. No Place Like Home puts you in the shoes of humans who decide to stay on Earth instead of fleeing to Mars. Out and About offers a farming simulator set after a natural disaster has ravaged the main character’s village. And Palia opens up a vibrant post-human civilization world for you to explore.

More broadly, caring for the planet, animals, and the environment in general remains a major theme in current cozy gaming. Koral asks you to restore corals to bring back healthier marine life. Beyond Blue is an ocean exploration game that includes real-life documentaries as bonuses. Grow: Song of the Evertree places you in charge of nature evolving according to your choices. Island Saver, Fresh Start, and Re: fresh task you with cleaning up polluted environments, with Loddlenaut focusing on a polluted ocean. Ori and the Blind Forest urges you to save a threatened forest.

In the video game Alba, you control a little girl who collects trash and fights to protect her island from a luxury hotel development project. In Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, the goal is to battle a corrupt park ranger. Planet of Lana is a game where you must protect the harmonious balance of a planet where all forms of life coexist.

Addressing issues and finding solutions in a non-anxiety-inducing way is the challenge taken on by cozy games, which act as a response to a cynical economy of constant anxiety that tries to capitalize on the prevailing gloom. Just as cozy mysteries respond to crime thrillers, solarpunk responds to the post-apocalyptic genre as we know it.

While this element of cuteness may not seem realistic given the urgency of the climate situation, facing eco-anxiety and the fear of the future while maintaining a dose of positivity can, in its own way, help shape a different perspective. And there is a significant stake in this, as in 2022, 80% of French people said they were worried about climate change. In response to these changes, the French are also exploring new ways of consuming: second-hand, more virtuous economy, recycling, etc. It is clear that imaginations are just waiting to develop in order to outline another possible world.

The world of video games, even if it won't save us, can still help find alternatives to the dystopian narrative that other science fiction genres have strongly contributed to shaping. And with them, our vision of the future.

(Originally written and published in French)