Winter 2025 Edition

Our winter edition explores the rise of cozy gaming, a movement that has redefined what games can be and who they're for. Through exclusive interviews with the creators behind this year's most meditative indie titles, we examine how comfort and contemplation have become central design principles.

This issue features a stunning photo essay from Nordic game studios, capturing the relationship between Scandinavian landscapes and the atmospheric games created there. We visit small teams working in converted farmhouses and urban co-working spaces, documenting how place shapes creative vision.

The centerpiece investigation follows a grassroots esports league in rural America, revealing how competitive gaming has become a lifeline for communities facing economic hardship. Through portraits and long-form interviews, we tell the story of players, organizers, and families building something meaningful together.

Additional features include an essay on sound design in horror games, profiles of accessibility advocates changing the industry, and our regular columns on preservation, criticism, and community stories.