Unpacking the Winning Formula of Wholesome Direct

The fifth Wholesome Direct took place on Saturday, showcasing over 70 indie games. Founded by Matthew Taylor in 2019 as a Twitter account, Wholesome Games has evolved into a yearly digital showcase, a monthly newsletter, and a community of like-minded individuals passionate about cosy games. This year's Direct featured new trailers for highly anticipated titles like Tiny Bookshop, Dungeons of Hinterberg, and Été, as well as debut games from small indie studios, such as Mythmatch, Caravan SandWitch, and Littlelands. Wholesome Direct serves as a platform for underrepresented games, genres, creators, and cultures, giving a voice to marginalised voices. Taylor notes that this has always been part of the show's vision, aiming to make a positive impact on the industry. The showcase also acknowledged the situation in Gaza, showing solidarity with Palestine. Wholesome Games Presents, the company's publishing label, offers funding, QA, marketing, and publishing support to select titles, focusing on smaller studios and games that prioritise creativity over commercial success. The team values showing games for the first time, providing a boost to indie studios' marketing cycle. While cosy games have faced mockery in the past, the Wholesome Games team believes that recognition for these types of games is growing, and they hope to continue showcasing titles that provide escape, solace, and a platform for underrepresented voices.