Why I Started Pixels and Chai: Cozy Gaming Over 40

Hi, and welcome to Pixels and Chai! I’m Ellie, a 40+ gamer and lover of all things cozy. I’m so glad you’re here 💜

This is a space for anyone who enjoys cozy games, comfort, and the little rituals that make playtime special.

My Gaming Story

I've been playing video games for a long time.

My first console was a SNES, and my sister also had a Sega Megadrive. I loved playing Super Mario Bros, Mario Kart, Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter, and Echo the Dolphin.

We then got a Nintendo 64 and a PlayStation, where I spent hours on Mario 64, Spyro the Dragon, GoldenEye, and Wave Race.

I also had a Game Boy and was completely hooked on Tetris, Super Mario Land, and Wario Land.

Later came a Nintendo DS, where I played New Super Mario Bros and all four of the Professor Layton games.

Eventually, I bought a Wii, although I was not gaming much during that time in my life. The Wii became more of a co-op console, something to enjoy with friends and family.

It was not until my late thirties that I bought a Nintendo Switch, and that was when I really started to dive back into gaming. Since then, I have played a huge variety of titles, many of which I now write and share about on my socials.

Finally, when I turned 40, I treated myself to a Steam Deck and a gaming PC so I could explore PC games both at home and on the go.

Why Cozy Gaming

After years of playing across so many consoles, my taste in games has settled into something quite different from those early days of button-mashing and late-night multiplayer.

Now I find myself drawn to experiences that are calm, creative, and immersive. I love pixel art, strong storytelling, and games that give me the space to slow down and unwind.

Some of my favourites these days are Stardew Valley for its welcoming little community, Grimshire for its autumnal atmosphere, Coffee Talk for late-night storytelling, Dorf Romantik for its beautiful puzzles, Naiad for its peaceful flow, Omno for quiet exploration, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for its vast, open world.

Cozy games feel like home to me now, and the ones I am most excited to share here.

Busting the Myths

When people think of gamers, women over 40 are not usually the first group that comes to mind!

There are some common myths I want to push back on:

Myth: Gaming is only for teenagers.

Reality: Many of us have been playing longer than most teenagers have been alive.

Myth: Women over 40 only play easy games.

Reality: Plenty of us enjoy a challenge. Some of my favourites are anything but simple (I'm looking at you, Hollow Knight...)

Gaming is for everyone, at every age, and the joy of it belongs to all of us.

What You Can Expect Here

• Cozy game recommendations
• Desk setups and small rituals that make every day a little bit special
• Honest reflections on what it is like to be a gamer over 40
• Conversations about community, representation, and finding joy in play

I hope that this space feels like a friendly corner of the internet where you can find inspiration, recommendations, and connection.

Join the community!

I’d love to stay in touch beyond the blog.

If you’d like cozy game recommendations, updates on what I’m playing, and little reflections on gaming life over 40, you can subscribe to the Pixels and Chai newsletter!

It’s the best way to keep up with new posts and join in the conversation.

You can also find me hanging out on Instagram and Bluesky, or if you want to watch some chill playthroughs, you can head over to the YouTube channel.

Thank you for stopping by for this very first post. I am excited to see where Pixels and Chai goes from here.