Hello everyone,
We’re excited to introduce CozyAce, an indie project that takes the essence of cozy, rural life simulation games and reinterprets it to tell a deep, nostalgic, and emotionally charged story. Inspired by games like Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, Animal Crossing, and Stardew Valley, we want to create not just a cozy town but a rich narrative that allows players to explore themes of grief, rediscovery, and emotional connection with the characters and environment.
In CozyAce, the player arrives in a small town after the loss of their partner and embarks on a journey of healing and restoration, reviving places that were part of their loved one’s life. This unique approach allows the player to explore grief and personal growth through meaningful quests, endearing characters, and interactive activities.
We’re looking for passionate collaborators who want to be part of this journey, from programmers to artists and musicians, to help us build a unique and heartfelt world. Below, we’ve included a project summary and our ideas for innovating within this genre.
Thank you for your interest, and we hope you can join us in CozyAce!
Best regards,
Ana
CozyAce Technical Sheet
Project Name: CozyAce
Brief Description: A 2D indie game with pixel art style that reinterprets the cozy genre with a deep and emotional narrative, focused on personal growth and rediscovery.
Inspiration and Innovative Approach:
CozyAce rewrites the formula of cozy simulation games by offering a narrative that not only celebrates the charm of a rural town but also invites players to reflect on deeper themes such as grief and healing. Inspired by cozy classics like Harvest Moon, Story of Seasons, Animal Crossing, and Stardew Valley, CozyAce provides a unique story where players uncover ancient myths, restore an abandoned orphanage, and unearth town secrets on a journey of emotional connection and growth.
Key Features:
• Unique Narrative: Unlike other games, CozyAce begins with a personal loss that drives the main character to move to the town in search of closure. The story intertwines with the village’s legends and myths, narrated by a wise and kind guide: the elderly baker.
• Narrative Figure - The Elderly Baker: This character guides the player through the town’s discoveries, sharing stories, legends, and knowledge of the past. Her role is essential, helping to immerse the player in the town’s culture and history.
• Innovative Game Mechanics:
• Thematic Minigames: CozyAce includes minigames like cooking, weaving, decorating, and farming, integrated into quests to make the player feel part of the community.
• Mobile Phone System: Players can use a virtual phone to view information about the townspeople, check quest progress, save recipes, and construct items. It also serves as an adventure journal and interactive map.
• Expansive Map: The world unlocks progressively as the player completes quests, allowing them to explore new areas and uncover town secrets.
• Career Development Options: Players can choose from three professions (farming, one related to crafting, and one creative) that evolve over time, providing unique rewards and skills.
Additional Ideas and Enhancements:
1. Letters and Memories of the Lost Partner: As the player explores, they find letters and objects from their partner, revealing their unique connection to the town and unlocking new quests.
2. The Wishing Tree Legend: An ancient tree in town holds the wishes of its inhabitants, offering side quests as it’s restored.
3. The Orphanage Spirit: A guardian spirit guides the player, revealing clues and connecting the orphanage’s past to the story of their partner.
4. Festival of Light: An annual celebration where villagers honor their loved ones, giving the player a sense of warmth and community.
5. Town Guardians - Totem Animals: Spiritual animals representing virtues and values that help the player on quests while exploring different areas of the map.
6. Dreams and Vision System: The player experiences symbolic dreams and visions that offer hints and emotional guidance.
7. Random Community Gathering Events: Group activities such as river cleanup or communal cooking, strengthening the player’s bond with the town and its inhabitants.
8. Town and Home Customization: Players can personalize their home and some town buildings, leaving a personal mark and strengthening their sense of belonging.
9. Emotionally Meaningful Puzzles: Challenges that represent the player’s personal journey and add symbolism to the story.
10. Memory Corner – A Place for Reflection and Rest: A cozy spot where the player stores mementos of their journey, representing progress and providing a peaceful, meditative space.
11. Relationships with Townsfolk: Each villager has a unique backstory and relationships that the player can uncover and deepen, receiving special items that reflect these friendships.
Project Status:
• Art: Character and environment designs in CozyAce pixel art style, including the bakery, train station, and main street.
• Story and Narrative: General plot structure and details of the guide character, the elderly baker.
• Technical Progress: Initial concepts of game mechanics and interaction, with an early mission and area-unlocking structure.
Collaboration Needs:
• Programming: Implementation of game mechanics and a quest and unlocking system in a platform like Godot or Unity.
• Music and Sound: Creation of a soundtrack to complement the cozy and nostalgic atmosphere of the game.
• Design Feedback: Opinions on art, mechanics, and narrative to ensure the game conveys the desired tone.
Final Vision:
In CozyAce, you’re not just rebuilding a town; you’re uncovering an emotionally rich story that invites players to connect deeply with the environment and its characters. Each quest not only advances the game but also deepens the player’s bond with the world and their journey of healing.
My email is: cozyaceproject@gmail.com
Thanks!
