1.00 Colour Palettes (Plan)

This is part of the planning phase of the first cycle.

Plan:

The focus of this cycle is to explore how colour palettes contribute to the emotional tone and sense of cosiness in game environments. This includes:

- Researching and analysing colour usage in existing cosy games, noting what colours are used and what they mean.

- Drawing from personal experience and preferences to inform the creation of several distinct concept art pieces, varying the colour palettes.

- comparing these concepts visually to evaluate which palette best supports the desired tone for a cosy game

- considering how colour can be used spatially in preparation for cycle 2. (E.g how warm or cool hues can expand or contract percieved space and how contrast affect visual comfort.)

I have created several colour palettes inspired by popular cosy titles. The goes for the planning phase of the cycle is to explore a range of colour palettes that aim to evoke different "cosy" emotions.

Balanced between energising and soothing, this palette supports a lighthearted, comforting gameplay experience.

Creates a serene and inviting atmosphere, perfect for relaxed activities and emotional comfort.

moody, atmospheric palette that blends nostalgia for fishing sims with eerie undertones; Supports the "dark cosy" aesthetic

grounded, nostalgic colours convey warmth and nature‑rooted tranquillity

mild, everyday tones evoke tranquillity and nostalgia, creating a soothing, homey vibe. By avoiding bold contrasts, the palette allows room for comfort and emotional resonance

Analysing these Palettes

Warm Tones (Reds, Oranges, Yellows)

Warm hues like burnt orange, soft reds and golden yellows are frequently associated with warmth, energy, and security. These colours resemble firelight, sunlight and autumn leaves - elements tied to shelter, seasonal abundance and community. In games like Stardew Valley and A Short Hike, these tones are often used in sunsets, cosy interiors and autumnal settings. Psychologically, they activate a sense of emotional warmth and familiarity, and they are especially effective at evoking safety through implied physical warmth and human presence. Culturally, we often associate these colours with family gatherings, comfort food, and home.

Earthy Greens and Browns

Earth tones such as forest green, moss and soft brown connect players with natural, grounded spaces. In colour psychology, green often symbolises restoration and balance and brown reflects stability and reliability. In cosy games, these hues often appear in rural landscapes (Stardew Valley), garden scenes (Animal Crossing) or natural trails (A Short Hike), providing players with a sense of rootedness and emotional grounding. These colours remind us of forests, soil and nature’s cycles - elements that are predictable and nurturing. This connection to the earth fosters comfort through a sense of continuity and peace.

Soft Neutrals (Creams, Beiges, Greys)

Neutral tones like beige, off-white and pale grey are subtle and non-intrusive, creating a calm and non-threatening environment. These colours appear prominently in Unpacking, where the player moves through quiet domestic spaces. Neutrals allow emotional breathing room - they’re not demanding or stimulating but provide a backdrop for memory and imagination. In design psychology, these colours are associated with tranquillity, cleanliness and order, which translates to emotional safety and stability. They are often used to suggest home interiors, gentle daylight and softness.

Pastels (Light Pinks, Soft Blues, Lavender)

Pastel colours are low in saturation and high in brightness, making them gentle and unassuming. These colours often convey innocence, softness and emotional openness, and are commonly used in games like Animal Crossing and Unpacking. Light blue evokes sky and water- natural elements linked to peace and serenity. Soft pink suggests care and affection, while lavender adds a dreamlike quality that enhances relaxation. Collectively, pastels create a safe emotional space, free from intensity or threat, which aligns perfectly with the slow-paced, low-stress gameplay typical of cosy titles.

Muted and Vintage Hues (Dusky Reds, Faded Teals, Mustard Yellows)

These colours often appear aged or softened, evoking nostalgia and emotional comfort through implied memory. Used in Stardew Valley and Dredge, these palettes can make the environment feel lived-in and timeless. Psychologically, nostalgia is closely tied to comfort because it allows the mind to revisit safe, emotionally rich memories. Colours that resemble vintage photographs or old textiles (faded burgundy, mustard yellow, muted teal) suggest continuity, familiarity, and emotional depth - key ingredients in making a game world feel emotionally secure, even when it's melancholic or reflective.

Why This Works

At a neurological level, colours affect how we process environments. Warm and natural tones can lower cortisol (stress hormone) and increase dopamine (pleasure and motivation). Designing cosy games using these palettes mimic real-world safe spaces - wooden cabins, garden towns, sun-dappled trails - giving players a sense of emotional refuge through visuals alone.

Readings

Do we feel colours? A systematic review of 128 years of psychological research linking colours and emotions - https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13423-024-02615-z 

Colors in Mind: A Comprehensive Study on the Neurological Impact of Saturation -https://openaccess.cms-conferences.org/publications/book/978-1-964867-18-2/article/978-1-964867-18-2_9 

Color aesthetics: A transatlantic comparison of psychological and physiological impacts of warm and cool colors in garden landscapes -https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558121000117?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Colours Lowering Stress - https://www.ourmental.health/stress-management/color-therapy-surprising-benefits-for-mood-and-stress#:~:text=Research%20suggests%20that%20exposure%20to%20specific%20colors%20can,responses%2C%20while%20warmer%20tones%20may%20evoke%20different%20reactions.

Dopamine Colours - https://www.brandignity.com/2024/06/dopamine-colors/#:~:text=Dopamine%20colors%20like%20red%2C%20orange%2C%20and%20yellow%20stimulate,and%20performance%2C%20while%20blue%20promotes%20calmness%20and%20trust.