Kind Words is now out on Steam for $4.99. It might be the most positive, soothing game I've ever played. It's my game of the year.

[Deleted member 42]

I'll save my personal feelings on the game towards the end.

Was a Humble Monthly exclusive until today.

Save 20% on Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to) on Steam

A game about writing nice letters to real people. Write and receive encouraging letters in a cozy room. Trade stickers and listen to chill music. We're all in this together. Sometimes all you need are a few kind words.

store.steampowered.com

Steam Page:

Write Nice Letters to People and Get Stickers
Has something got you down? Stressed you out? Scared you? That's pretty normal. It might help you to talk about it. In Kind Words, players anonymously write out their concerns and sorrows by making short requests for letters.

Click to shrink...

Receive Comforting Letters
Everyone can respond to requests with letters of comfort, sympathy or gentle advice.
Kind Words is a positive context; a warm, cozy mood. A place to feel centered and focused on the opportunity presented:
Use your words to lift others and be lifted in return.

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Polygon Article about the game:

https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/2/20752088/kind-words-ziba-scott-steam-interview-game

Kind Words is not like any game I've ever played. And while Kind Words relies heavily on the input from other players, it's definitely not like any other multiplayer titles I've come across.

The premise is simple. When you first load up the game, a deer that sounds like an Animal Crossing character asks you to write a short letter about something that's worrying you. This letter will then get sent out to the community, who can respond to your requests. Everything is anonymous. If you like someone's response, you can share a sticker with them. While you wait, a selection of lo-fi chill beats by composer Clark Aboud play in the background, giving everything a dreamlike feel. That's it, that's the whole game. Some, I'm sure, would question if it really does qualify as a game, but whatever you want to call it, it's a one-of-a-kind experience.

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Now my part. I personally feel this will be my game of the year at the end of 2019.

I haven't played anything like it - it's probably the most soothing game I've played in a long time, which says a lot. It's stuck with me quite a bit, even if I only play it for small spurts out of the day. It helps me reset after dealing with the rigors of the day, or whatever awful, terrible news life seems to want to throw at everyone lately.

It's important to me that, even here, a place where far too much fighting happens, that we as a community try to find things that provide positive emotional responses, beyond just entertainment. Without making it too lofty, I think Kind Words is a great way to start these kind of responses, and for a low price. Give it a shot!

 

[Deleted member 8861]

I'll have to try this out.

 

[Static]

What a unique and warm idea for a game. Kind of reminiscent of ideas like fmylife.com but with the opportunity to reach out and support one another. Really cool.

 

[Psamtik]

This reminds me of the bottle messages in Selfie: Sisters of the Amniotic Lens, which were similarly affecting.

 

[Deleted member 42]

What a unique and warm idea for a game. Kind of reminiscent of ideas like fmylife.com but with the opportunity to reach out and support one another. Really cool.

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I was sold entirely on the concept when I heard about it as a Humble Original, but worried it wouldn't be able to deliver entirely on it, especially since, as a former staff member here, I've seen how difficult handling such a thing, with anonymity built in, can go

But they really cracked it.

This reminds me of the bottle messages in Selfie: Sisters of the Amniotic Lens, which were similarly affecting.

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I've never heard of that one! I should look it up. Thanks :D

 

[Pau]

This sounds like something I really need right now. Thank you for posting it. :3

 

[Pryme]

Whats stopping strangers / trolls from responding to your short letter with unkind and mean stuff? How is it moderated?

 

[Ayirek]

What an amazing concept! Thank you so much for posting!

 

[Deleted member 42]

Whats stopping strangers / trolls from responding to your short letter with unkind and mean stuff? How is it moderated?

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Current iteration: Game's creator looks at every report that gets put in. Community is around 3000 people, he's only had to ban around 12. For the Steam release, it's currently set up where if a request hits a certain threshold, it's automatically pulled until he can look at it. When you report a letter you receive, it instantly disappears from your list forever.

This sounds like something I really need right now. Thank you for posting it. :3

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What an amazing concept! Thank you so much for posting!

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Glad to! Hope it helps out, even if it's only a little bit! :D

 

[GearDraxon]

It's so, so good. I'm glad to hear more helpful people, and people who need help, will be able to experience it now!

 

[AMAGON]

You're amazing.

 

[Pryme]

Current iteration: Game's creator looks at every report that gets put in. Community is around 3000 people, he's only had to ban around 12. For the Steam release, it's currently set up where if a request hits a certain threshold, it's automatically pulled until he can look at it. When you report a letter you receive, it instantly disappears from your list forever.

Click to shrink...

Excellent! I've got a friend who's currently battling depression. I'm walking over to her place today to install this for her. Thanks.

 

[Gush]

This reminds me of the bottle messages in Selfie: Sisters of the Amniotic Lens, which were similarly affecting.

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Yeah, that was the first thing that came to mind for me as well.

This looks neat.

 

[banshee150]

Thanks will check

 

[Daphne]

By the way, if you did get this in the July 2019 Humble Monthly as a Humble Original, Steam keys for it have now been added to your account.

 

[Doctoglethorpe]

If this was on mobile I'd probably quit resetera

 

[Deleted member 6235]

Thanks for the heads up. Was already interested and just bought it.

 

[Green Mario]

Cool idea and I'll probably pick it up but I feel like this could be... exploited.
Edit: Just saw the post about the creator sorting out the bad stuff. Hope it doesn't get overwhelming.

 

[GingerbreadMan]

If this was on mobile I'd probably quit resetera

Click to shrink...

There's a similar app on mobile called Slowly

https://www.getslowly.com/

 

[Rhaknar]

By the way, if you did get this in the Humble Monthly as a Humble Original, Steam keys for it have now been added to your account.

Click to shrink...

which month?

 

[Deleted member 42]

Cool idea and I'll probably pick it up but I feel like this could be... exploited.
Edit: Just saw the post about the creator sorting out the bad stuff. Hope it doesn't get overwhelming.

Click to shrink...

It is likely not something that will scale too well, it would either require staff or a very strong algorithm. It's quite a lot to take on, but they seem to have a good handle on what to try.

There's a similar app on mobile called Slowly

https://www.getslowly.com/

Click to shrink...

I like Slowly as well, the vibe is a bit different, odd as that sounds. Kind Words seems very dreamlike - the soundtrack likely helps here.

 

[Daphne]

which month?

Click to shrink...

July 2019
You can also search your keys page for the game's name.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

okay fine take my money

 

[Kraken3dfx]

The image in the sample screenshots that says "I thought it would be easier to make friends in college. -A" literally made me tear up.

Stupid sample screenshot...

 

[Dogi]

I never knew how much I wanted a game like this. Thank you.

 

[Wandering Robot]

This sounds so nice. :( Might check it out when I have the opportunity.

 

[Deleted member 9746]

Heading to Steam to buy it now.

 

[hersheyfan]

By the way, if you did get this in the July 2019 Humble Monthly as a Humble Original, Steam keys for it have now been added to your account.

Click to shrink...

Holy shit, thanks for this. I had no idea this was a thing. I bought A Short Hike when it launched on Steam, not realizing Humble already gave me a key.

Will try this game out later when I get home, sounds very relaxing.

 

[Aurica]

Current iteration: Game's creator looks at every report that gets put in. Community is around 3000 people, he's only had to ban around 12. For the Steam release, it's currently set up where if a request hits a certain threshold, it's automatically pulled until he can look at it. When you report a letter you receive, it instantly disappears from your list forever.

Click to shrink...

I wonder how long this will last. A game that requires that level of moderation without additional income can't last forever. :(

 

[ZeroDS]

This sounds absolutely wonderful. I wish I could use my pc more than I can now. I'd pick this up in a flash.

 

[echoshifting]

Oh man do I need this right now. Thanks for posting Bronson

 

[DoradoWinston]

fuck...this is too good.

I need to find $5 brb

 

[Dreams-Visions]

purchased.

you cost me $5 tonight, bronson.

 

[Messofanego]

This sounds rad, thanks BronsonLee for the heads up!

 

[Crayon]

Omg thats so nice. :o

 

[.exe]

Wholesome. I'll have to give this a try.

 

[Doomburrito]

Thanks for the recommendation. Spent an hour tonight just responding to people. We're all human, all in this together. Glad something like this exists.

 

[FinKL]

lo fi beats to chill to, that's my jam, I'll just buy it mainly because that's some high marks from Bronson and that's a very interesting premise for a "game"

 

[adj_noun]

Well, I just spent over an hour writing letters to strangers.

The only thing I'm not a fan of is the 14 line limit. I'm sure there's a good reason for it (and it DOES work as an excellent exercise in self-editing) but durnit, sometimes I want to spread my wings a little.

 

[Arkestry]

This is so so lovely, and so valuable. It feels genuinely meditative and productive to spend 10-15 minutes doing. Thanks for making the OP, Bronsonlee.

 

[Orso]

Seems like a really nice idea for a game and i'm constantly listening to lo fi youtube videos. Might check it out.

 

[Messofanego]

 

[roguesquirrel]

Tried this out because I saw on twitter about the free key through humble monthly and got sucked in for an hour and a half. I wish exporting letters would also export the letters you write others because i've mostly been responding. I did put out a request about my biggest worry right now, and its a complex one so I wasnt expecting people to answer back cus I figured what do you even say. But I got a response that was so sincere it made me tear up. Sometimes its just nice to have that pat on the shoulder and someone saying "I get it"

 

[Surface of Me]

i cried at the first letter i sent, since i been through it too.

thank you for posting this

 

[1upsuper]

I'll definitely check this out.

The image in the sample screenshots that says "I thought it would be easier to make friends in college. -A" literally made me tear up.

Stupid sample screenshot...

Click to shrink...

That first screenshot hit me too. :(

 

[ghostcrew]

Wow, this sounds wonderful. Buying tonight for sure.

 

[Chairdeath]

Deep down you always know that other people experience some of the same struggles, but seeing it personally written out by someone...

It's a trip. I've written out one request and answered so many but man. This hits you hard.

 

[Surface of Me]

i keep getting responses and i keep crying

:')

 

[.exe]

I'm not crying, you are! This is some hard hitting, cathartic stuff.

 

[DoradoWinston]

I have been playing for over an hour.

Its incredible. Speaking openly just feels like a weight off my shoulders and im glad I get the chance to help someone else on the other end.