Summary

• Summer Game Fest replaces E3 for game announcements & trailers, including Wholesome Direct.
• Wholesome Games highlights indie games at the event with a special focus on positive vibes.
• Content creators can participate as guest hosts or co-streamers to spread love in the gaming community.

Summer Game Fest has, in many ways, become the replacement for E3 as a chance for video game developers to announce their plans for the year and tease people with new game trailers, debuts, and gameplay videos. The full lineup of streams spans the weekend of June 7, 8, and 9, with several different showcases and directs during those days. Among these is Wholesome Direct 2024, led by the crew at Wholesome Games, which will take place on June 8, 2024, at 9:00 am PT.

There are many big titles expected to be revealed during Summer Game Fest this year, many of which I will be very eager to play. The highlight of the event for me, however, is not AAA titles but rather the chance to see more of the lesser-known games that create a positive feeling and atmosphere. The Wholesome Direct has become my go-to showcase for adding to my wishlist, with the focus specifically on indie-developed games that celebrate emotions, introspection, and coziness. These games may not get as much hype, but often can be even more magical for the feelings and enjoyment they provide.

8 Content Creators Get Highlighted At The Wholesome Direct, Too

Approved Co-Streamers For The Event

In addition to spreading love to indie games and developers, Wholesome Games also allows many content creators to in the celebration by providing opportunities for approved parties to become guest hosts and co-streamers. This year, for the 2024 Wholesome Direct, there are nine guest hosts in addition to the main host, the ever-lovely Kimchica.

Many more streamers are also chosen to be official co-streamers of the event. Co-streamers needed to fill out a questionnaire and be selected by Wholesome Games in order to be official, and once chosen they get an official streaming kit and announcement graphic to use during their streams. At the time of writing, it does not look as though there is a list of all the approved co-streamers yet, but I am excited to see many in the streaming world eager to share their thoughts on the games in the direct.

By allowing content creators to either participate as guest hosts or co-streamers, Wholesome Games is spreading love to many in the gaming community. These hand-selected streamers are a great pool to choose from when looking for a new cozy game streamer to follow.

7 The Games In The Wholesome Direct Are Hand-Picked

Originally Had No Ads Included, Hopefully This Continues

Although I cannot find any confirmation that this remains the case in 2024, in 2020, Wholesome Direct was strictly against allowing any developer to buy their way into the showcase, and that has continued throughout the years. There are developers of all sizes from around the world included in the 2024 lineup, but with the strong emphasis on indie devs and specific criteria for games to be considered as wholesome, it is clear that the games are still hand-selected and approved by the team at Wholesome Games.

Naturally, Wholesome Games has grown quite a bit in the past four years, which is a wonderful thing for everyone. At its heart, Wholesome Direct continues to be the same, if not better, with only the best of cozy games included in the event with trailers and discussion. Even if ads are to be included this year, I still trust the team and its goals and motivations to keep to the theme and provide content worthy of my attention and time.

6 Games Of Various Genres Are Included As Long As They Meet Wholesome Criteria

All Titles Must Meet Specific Qualities

Wholesome games don't necessarily have to mean that they are farming simulators or even non-violent, as long as they meet certain criteria from the Wholesome Games staff. This means that the Wholesome Direct includes a large variety of games with something that almost anyone can enjoy. The word "wholesome" is very subjective, with different people having vastly differing ideas of what qualifies. Ultimately, a game that has a hopeful feeling and theme without any harmful stereotypes may be considered as wholesome.

Cute and comforting cozy games generally make up the bulk of the Wholesome Games lineup, but there are still sci-fi platformers, fantasy adventures, and even the occasional racing game. One of the things I love seeing in the Wholesome Direct is how strikingly different each game can be. There is something special about seeing games like Venba alongside Frogsong or even Beastieball, and having them all fit perfectly.

5 Past Directs Have Shown Games That Went On To Be Award Winners

Proving The Wholesome Games Initiative Includes Quality Experiences

The titles highlighted in the Wholesome Direct often include ones that go on to be award winners. Games such as Venba, Tchia, Unpacking, and more that have received nominations, awards, and praise for their accomplishments have been recognized by Wholesome Games at one time or another. This makes sense, of course, as they are games that evoke feelings and emotions while telling stories and truly do something unique and special.

Whether winning the Games For Impact award from The Game Awards or receiving a BAFTA, it isn't uncommon for some of the best-looking games from the Wholesome Direct to go on to wow audiences and gain recognition. I often find it fun to watch the Wholesome Direct with that in mind and try to pick out the possible award winners for that year.

4 Cozy Gaming Is On The Rise, In Part Due To Wholesome Games

Past Years Of Showcasing Positive Titles Is Paying Off

In the past several years, the concept of the "cozy game" has been an ever-growing genre of its own. These comforting, more positive-focused titles have been around since the dawn of gaming, but the COVID-19 pandemic saw a major increase in players leaning into these happier games. Wholesome Games actually started just before that historic event, being founded in 2019 by an indie developer, Matthew Taylor.

The timing certainly lined up right for Wholesome Direct to flourish, and the added strength that cozy, wholesome games received from having the Wholesome Games initiative behind them certainly aided the video games in reaching a wider population.

These games don't just offer another style for long-time gamers but have also brought many more people into the hobby by showing that they don't always have to be bloody and violent. Even my own mother found enjoyment in games such as Animal Crossing and, although she can no longer play the games, she always likes hearing about gardening-themed titles that I play.

3 Indie Developers Are Highlighted For Wholesome Games

Some Games That May Have Not Seen Much Recognition Otherwise

In the description for Summer Game Fest 2024, the Wholesome Direct is listed as "an indie showcase celebrating emotionally resonant video games that inspire optimism, joy, and introspection." There are many wholesome and cozy games from large developers, such as Animal Crossing, The Sims, and Princess Peach: Showtime!, which Nintendo released earlier this year. These larger developers provide amazing games and often have much higher budgets than many indie devs could even dream of, but there is something special about an indie title.

I am an avid er of indie games, in part due to the absolute awe I have for what a small team of one or two people can manage to accomplish.

Many indie developers produce games from their hearts with a ion and fire behind them. They might have a story to tell or simply a dream that they wish to create and share with the world. I am an avid er of indie games, in part due to the absolute awe I have for what a small team of one or two people can manage to accomplish. The ion of the developers comes through in their creations and deserves to be celebrated.

2 Over Seventy Games Will Be Shown At The 2024 Wholesome Direct

That's A Lot Of Amazing Games, With Something For Everyone

This year, Wholesome Games received nearly 800 submissions from developers looking to be included in the Wholesome Direct 2024. Including all 800 games in the stream would obviously take much longer than the time allowed, but this also means that the over 70 games that have been selected are of the highest quality.

Obviously, most of the games are being kept fairly hush-hush until the actual event, although the Wholesome Games newsletter for June did point to three games to watch for. Caravan Sandwitch, Into the Emberlands, and On Your Tail were all recommended in the newsletter as staff picks that they are excited to have shown to the world on June 8.

1 The Wholesome Direct Is Focused On Positive Vibes

Something This World Needs More Of

Ultimately, the thing I love the most about the Wholesome Games initiative and the Wholesome Direct is the focus on positive vibes, love, and acceptance for all, and a hopeful, uplifting way to spend downtime. The world today is so overloaded with hate and negativity, and life can be excruciatingly difficult. Although there is nothing wrong with playing a game like Diablo 4, which happens to be one of my favorites, there is something to be said for having the beauty and emotionally cleansing experience of a wholesome game.

I'm excited to see what all the showcases and directs in Summer Game Fest have to offer, particularly if rumors of the reveal of a new Borderlands game prove to be true, but if I was restricted to only getting to watch one event it would have to be the Wholesome Direct. There is something uniquely special about seeing this stream, and the hosts often add to that feeling by adding a sense of calm happiness. It is truly the ultimate celebration for cozy gaming, and I am here for it.

Source: Wholesome Games/X, Summer Game Fest 2024