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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.

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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.

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