Why I’m Trading Cozy Farming for Historical Action

As many of you know, I started this solo game journey focusing on a cozy farming and pet-raising game. It was a safe, warm idea. But after years of attachment to the concept, I’ve made a significant pivot: I’m moving away from the cozy genre to pursue an action-oriented game with historical inspiration.

This wasn't a snap decision—it's about survival, growth, and creative drive.

The Pivot: Cozy vs. Historical Action

The original cozy game concept was great for stability, but it came with its own set of challenges.

Feature	Cozy Farming/Pet Raising (Old)	Historical Action (New)
Pros	Relaxing, broad appeal, well-defined market.	More dynamic, strong potential for narrative depth, better fit for my newfound 3D skills.
Cons	Extremely saturated market, risk of blending in, less opportunity to showcase unique combat/art.	Higher design complexity, potential for needing more content assets.

Ultimately, while the cozy genre is popular, I felt my project was getting lost in a sea of similar titles. The historical inspiration allows me to tap into something much more dramatic and unique, giving me a distinct voice. (And to be clear, this is inspiration, not a dry historical simulation—it gives me creative freedom!)

Refreshing the Mind and Skillset

This pivot is as much about refreshing my mind as it is about refreshing the game's direction.

As a solo developer, burnout is a real threat. Focusing on a new, different genre has been incredibly invigorating. It gives me a clean slate to apply the 3D art skills I've been diligently training over the past few months. I'm actively trying to design a game that is short and small in scope, focusing on a polished experience rather than a sprawling world.

It's been exciting to try a different genre, forcing me to think outside the "plant-water-harvest" loop and explore mechanics like combat, world-building, and pacing.

The Hard Truth: Seeking Success and Sustainability

Let’s be honest about the biggest factor: sustainability.

To continue solo game development as a career, I need success, and that means a better income stream. While I love the cozy genre, the market saturation means it’s difficult for an unknown indie title to stand out and generate the revenue needed to prolong this career.

I’m hoping this new direction—a more dynamic, historical action game that showcases my unique art style—will cut through the noise. This isn't about chasing the biggest trend; it’s about making a calculated shift that gives my game the best chance for commercial success so I can continue to tell my stories and share my experiences with you all.

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I’m excited to share more of this new journey soon. What do you think of the pivot? Let me know in the comments!