Video Games for Calm and Introspection: A Brief (and Calm) Examination of Stillgames

Piotr Kubiński

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A b s t r a k t

This article discusses stillgames, that is video games designed around experiences of stillness, contemplation, and silence, in opposition to the dominant aesthetics of excess, dynamics, and competition. Characteristic features of this trend are analyzed, such as minimalist gameplay, subdued audiovisuals, observation-based interactions, and a rejection of a gameplay structure based on the risk of failure. Stillgames are placed within the broader context of game studies (particularly in relation to cozy games, idle games, and gaming culture), as well as within the broader context of the medium’s history. Their unique nature and cultural significance are thus both established and emphasized.