37 h. ago We know that cosy games have big audiences – so where’s my epic Call the Midwife sim?

In a world overwhelmed by noise and with more players looking for solace, it’s time the triple-A developers pay attentionI am 85 hours into Death Stranding 2, an apocalyptic nightmare about Earth becoming infected with death monsters, and I’ve realised that I’m playing it as a cosy game. For hours at a time, I trundle along the photorealistic landscapes in my pick-up truck, delivering parcels to isolated communities and building new roads. The only reason I complete the main story missions is to open new areas of the map so that I can meet new people and build more roads. I find it blissfully enjoyable.Of course, I am far from alone in playing video games this way. “Cosy games” have become a thriving cottage industry over the past five years, led by crossover successes such as Minecraft, Stardew Valley and Untitled Goose Game, but also housing hundreds of smaller titles that appeal to highly engaged communities. On Steam this month you’ll discover Catto’s Post Office, a delightful g...

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6 d. ago Parents believe Harvey Willgoose’s death could have been prevented

Harvey’s mum Caroline Willgoose believes there were ‘flags’ in the days and hours before his death at All Saints Catholic High School, in February.

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8 d. ago Crufts trainer who allowed three dogs to bake to death after leaving them in his Land Rover for six hours in 23C heat is spared jail

Andrew Claridge-Fleming, 57, left four gundogs in the boot of the 4x4 car on a hot summer's day after he was unexpectedly called away to drive his wife to a relative's house.

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8 d. ago Bittersweet last post of lifelong Oasis fan hours before plunging to his death at Wembley gig

Lee Claydon plummeted from the upper tier balcony of the stadium in north London in front of 100,000 people on Saturday. The father-of-one, from Bournemouth, died at the scene.

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1 week ago James Whale said 'I'm happy to go now' just hours before his death

Broadcasting legend James Whale has died at the age of 74, it has been announced by his family, five years after his cancer tragically returned

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1 week ago Terminally ill James Whale, 74, says he's 'happy to go now and feels at peace' after moving to hospice amid kidney cancer battle

The legendary DJ and radio presenter, 74, was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in February 2020, which sadly later spread to his spine, brain and lungs.

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3 w. ago Felix Baumgartner’s final social media video posted hours before death in paragliding accident

Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner posed a video of himself meeting a young fan, just hours before he died in a paragliding accident.

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4 w. ago Girlfriend of Brit who died in Ibiza hotel fall 'disgusted' by 'lack of respect'

Ibiza Rocks Hotel just wanted tragic Evan Thomson's friend out so they could 'start the party again' hours after the 26-year-old's death, his furious pals have claimed

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