thank you to our wholesome snack sponsors!
FAQ
Where can I view past Wholesome Games events?
We've got them all archived in this YouTube playlist!Can we co-stream your events?
Absolutely!Do you have a press kit?
How did you know!?What is Wholesome Games?
Wholesome Games is a community that started on Twitter when indie game developer Matthew Taylor began curating games according to their feelings of comfort, compassion, and coziness. Since then, the community has grown to nearly 500k members across Twitter, Discord, TikTok, YouTube, and more.What is Wholesome Games Presents?
Wholesome Games Presents is a new initiative from the team behind Wholesome Games and Wholesome Direct. Our goal is to use all the knowledge we've gained from our work in this space to help more games succeed while making sure developers maintain 100% creative control over their work.Why?
One of the goals of Wholesome Games is to change how we think about which games are taken seriously. For many years, the most critically acclaimed titles have been the ones with the darkest themes and grimmest depictions of life, but there's also a whole world of hopeful video games with rich storytelling, innovative gameplay, and beautiful art and sound. We want to be a part of showcasing the breadth of experiences that games can have for players.What makes a game "wholesome"?
That's up to you to decide! It's subjective and we don't want to pretend that it isn't. Something we've always tried to be mindful of is that what looks wholesome to one person might not look wholesome to someone else.If a game is cute and cozy but contains harmful stereotypes, is it wholesome? We say no! If a game is violent, but that violence is about overthrowing an oppressor, is it unwholesome? We say no! The opinions presented by our curation are just that: one group's opinions.The question of what makes a game wholesome is one that comes up again and again in our community, and while common themes sometimes emerge from those conversations, we think it devalues the discussion to suggest that there's ever going to be a comprehensive final answer.OK, but I hate the word "wholesome".
Honestly, so do we sometimes! Toxic positivity is a real problem, and lots of words and ideas like "wholesome" (or "family values") have been warped into dog whistles and harmful purity tests, or used to dismiss serious concerns.We want to make absolutely clear that our values are diametrically opposed to these uses, and we can only hope that's reflected in our work.Are non-wholesome games bad?
Not at all! "Wholesome Games" is not a synonym for "good games" and we believe every type of game can--and should--co-exist, including the scary and violent games that we don't curate. Every game fills a niche, and while our group focuses on highlighting games in one of those niches, we all play and love games that aren't part of the genre too.Are wholesome games political?
We believe everything, especially the media we create and consume, is political. We actively avoid hateful content, bigotry, and developers who have been exploitative or otherwise abusive, and we encourage developers to use their voices to support worthy causes. Sometimes it's a radical act to make dark or upsetting art, and sometimes it's radical to make hopeful art in times of adversity.NFTs and AI
We stand firmly against AI-generated art and NFTs.
wholesome games presents
Wholesome Games Presents is a new initiative from the team behind Wholesome Games and Wholesome Direct. Our goal is to use all the knowledge we've gained from our work in this space to help more games succeed while making sure developers maintain 100% creative control over their work.If you'd like to learn more, send an email to matthew (at) wholesomegames.com with information about your project.
What we do:
Small investments
Hands-off support - we want to give you creative freedom
Production meetings to understand your project fully and offer feedback on gameplay, design, and marketing
Marketing opportunities to reach nearly one million wholesome and cozy players and content creators
Expertise across multiple disciplines ready to answer your questions and facilitate industry connections
What we don't do:
Release management
QA
Control IP or sequel rights
What we're looking for:
Hopeful, innovative video games
Small, capable teams
Developers who want to make a positive impact
collaborate with us
We're always on the lookout for games that will resonate with our community!If you'd like to learn more, send an email to hello (at) wholesomegames.com with some information about your project.If you're a content creator or member of the press, sign up for the appropriate mailing list.
💌 View December's newsletter
With so many new games on the horizon, we created a monthly newsletter to help you track upcoming releases. We also send emails whenever cool stuff is happening, like Wholesome Direct and Wholesome Snack!
We have extra lists you can sign up for in addition to the regular mailing list for streamers/content creators and press so we can send y'all stuff like press releases, streaming kits, or other opportunities related to Wholesome Games.

Matthew Taylor (he/him) is an indie game developer, the founder of Wholesome Games, and the director of Wholesome Direct.Favorite games
A Short Hike, Chibi-Robo!, and Hades.

Jenny Windom (she/her) is an indie game producer, community developer, streamer, and host of Wholesome Games.Favorite games
Outer Wilds, Florence, and Harvest Moon 64.

James Tillman (he/him) is not a cat, your honor! He's also an indie game developer and producer.Favorite games
Psychonauts, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Universal Paperclips.
Wholesome Direct was created in 2020 in response to the cancellation of in-person game industry events like GDC. The showcase aims to shine a spotlight on new and upcoming games that are uplifting, thoughtful, and wholesome!
Button City
Errand Boy
Ooblets
Kind Words
Snacko
Chicory
The Spirit and the Mouse
Spiritfarer
Sayri
Mondo Museum
Bird Alone
Little Witch in the Woods
TOEM
Winding Worlds
TokoToko
When the Past was Around
A Space for the Unbound
Book of Travels
Garden Story
Depanneur Nocturne
Calico
Rainy Season
Wayward Strand
Hoa
Sylvan Meadows
Haven
Tracks The Train Set Game
Frogsong
Later Daters
Clouzy
Creature Resort
Pushy and Pully in Blockland
Onsen Master
Old Friends Dog Sanctuary
Critter Cove
Roots Of Pacha
A Monsters Expedition
The Other Side
Battle Cakes
Alchemic Cutie
Pekoe
Ollie Oop
To The Rescue
Rolling Hills
Himig
Orange Island
Misc.
Following an outpouring of support for the inaugural showcase, Wholesome Direct 2021 returned with more than two million viewers and firmly established Wholesome Games as an important voice in the online era of video game showcases.
Bird Problems
Recolit
Snacko
Alekon
A Little To The Left
Ooblets
Spirit Swap
Behind The Frame
Skatebird
Here Comes Niko
Pekoe
Lake
Yokai Inn
Mythic Ocean
Kokopa’s Atlas
Button City
Letters
Hot Pot For One
Garden Story
Tracks Of Thought
Beasts of Maravilla Island
Hoa
We Are OFK
Paralives
KeyWe
A Walk With Yiayia
Dordogne
The Gecko Gods
Tasomachi
Please Be Happy
Witchy Life Story
BattleCakes
Bear & Breakfast
Passpartout 2: The Lost Artist
Sally
Rainbow Billy
Unpacking
Soup Pot
Cloud Jumper
Teacup
Moonglow Bay
Pupperazzi
Luna’s Fishing Garden
Witchery Academy
Amber Isle
Woodo
Wytchwood
Moonshell Island
Frogsong
Loddlenaut
and more!
The biggest showcase yet, Wholesome Direct 2022 featured exclusive footage and developer interviews from hotly anticipated titles like Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, PuffPals: Island Skies, Coffee Talk Episode 2, Terra Nil, SCHiM, Mail Time, and many more.
Terra Nil
Little Bear Chef
Melodyssey
Lumbearjack
The Garden Path
Mika and the Witch's Mountain
30 Birds
Mail Time
Usagi Shima
A Walk with Yiayia
Chicken Journey
PuffPals: Island Skies
Freeride
How to Say Goodbye
Calico
Paper Animal RPG
Fall of Porcupine
The Last Clockwinder
Lovebirb
Spirit Swap
Coffee Talk Episode 2
ODDADA
Frogun
Garden Witch Life
Princess Farmer
Ooblets
Bubblegum Galaxy
Here Comes Niko!
Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley
Feed All Monsters
SkateBIRD
Papertrail
Soulitaire
Passpartout 2
A Frog's Tale
Freshly Frosted
Kaichu
Wholesome Out & About
Paradise Marsh
Gaucho and the Grassland
Lil Gator Game
We Are OFK
Potion Permit
Pixelshire
SCHiM
Pekoe
Bilkin's Folly
Kitori Academy
Togges
Tracks of Thought
DokiToki
Critter Crops
Toroa
The Spirit and the Mouse
Snacko
A Little to the Left
Kokopa's Atlas
The Wandering Village
Lonesome Village
Melatonin
and more!
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