Exploring the World of Cooking Games and Restaurant Simulators

Food and cooking mechanics have a long history in video games, evolving from health power-ups to sidequests and mini-games and eventually into a creative pillar holding up entire genres. As we kick off our week focusing on cooking games and restaurant simulators, let’s take a look at some of the most popular themes across the genre and see what developers can learn and apply to their own delectable creations.

Some of the earliest uses of food in video games come from classics; in Pac-Man (1980), we saw fruit used to award points based on how long the player could survive in a level. In Burgertime (1982), food preparation is at the core of a challenge rooted in skill, with players stacking different ingredients like lettuce and tomato to assemble a hamburger. In games like Gauntlet (1985), large chunks of meat are used for health restoration, inspiring the classic and oft-quoted line: “Warrior needs food badly.” Regardless of the gaming era, food and cooking have served many design purposes.

As games became more complex, so did our context for the use of food, leading to games that allowed players not only to eat but also to cook. Some of the earliest examples include Cooking Mama (2006) on the Nintendo DS, which simplified the cooking process into easy visual steps using the device’s touchpad. Another is 2012’s Cook, Serve, Delicious! (based on the 1999 PlayStation title Ore no Ryouri), which focused on quick time button sequences to mimic dish preparation and assembly.

In recent years, open-world survival games have popularized in-game cooking as a staple feature, as seen in titles like Don’t Starve (2013) and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with varying levels of complexity. Some cooking games gamify cooking techniques, while others focus on food utility as power-ups or health items, and some integrate cooking into a game’s crafting system, adding a world-building element by teaching players about regional flora and fauna.

Why does cooking in games appeal to both players and game makers? Human beings are naturally drawn to food’s texture, flavor, and freshness, and our appetites rely on visual appeal. Similar to the industries focused on food plating and presentation, cooking in games offers a visually appealing experience. Cooking also allows for self-expression, with what we cook reflecting our skills, opinions, resources, and history, much like other art forms.

Cooking touches on various themes that speak to its different roles in our lives, from everyday routine and stability to special occasions and family gatherings. This week, we'll delve into themes, mechanics, and stories related to cooking in games.

Image via Visai Games.

Food, Family, and Heritage

Venba is a recent game that explores the intersection of cooking and family, touching on themes of racism, identity, and parental sacrifice while showcasing the culinary techniques of Tamil cooking. The game presents dishes and cooking equipment unique to Indian cuisine, prompting players to consider the emotional aspects of cooking, whether it's connecting with one's cultural roots or dedicating time and effort for a loved one's benefit.

Another game that educates players about a specific culture is the upcoming Rooster, which celebrates Chinese culture through its visuals, music, and activities like papercrafting and cooking. Developer Deborah Chantson discusses the value of personal heritage in game design in the article “The Upside of Using Culture and Personal Stories as Game Pillars.”

Similarly, Cacao Café replicates ancient Mexica practices around chocolate production, offering insights into the agricultural and culinary aspects of this culture. We'll explore this further in the article “Exploring ancient Mexica culture through cooking in Cacao Café” this week.

Coffee Talk also allows players to express themselves through foam art on the drinks they serve. Image via Toge Productions.

Food, Community, and Socializing

The act of communal dining is well depicted in games, where service and hospitality play crucial roles in our interactions. In Coffee Talk, players assume the role of a barista who serves as a confidante, similar to the bartender in games like VA-11 HALL-A. By actively listening to customers' stories and crafting drinks based on their emotional cues, players experience the thoughtful care that goes into both aspects of service.

Other games, such as Pokémon Sword and Shield, use cooking to strengthen relationships, as players make curry for their Pokémon to deepen bonds and gain advantages in battles based on ingredient choices.

Food and community also play a role in socializing within games. Games like Hot Pot Panic portray hot pot meals as a metaphor for group dining dynamics, while Hot Pot for One explores the loneliness of being an ex-pat through the experience of preparing a meal for oneself without company.

This theme will be further explored in the Q&A, “Why Arctic Eggs are a dish best served cold” later this week.