Scenario 5: Cozy Cafe: Coffee & Stories
If you clicked on this, you were probably looking for realistic practice with game music client briefs. Here's a scenario that shows what developers need from composers - perfect for building your skills without the pressure of a real project.
Have fun :)
Game Overview
Genre: Simulation/Time Management
Platform: Mobile (iOS/Android)
Art Style: Warm, hand-drawn illustrations with soft lighting
Target Audience: Ages 25-45, fans of cozy games and narrative experiences
Game Lore:
Players inherit a small café in the charming town of Willowbrook from their mysterious great-aunt Clara. The café, called "The Story Bean," has a unique magical property - the coffee served there helps people remember and share their most meaningful stories. Each customer who visits has a tale to tell, and by serving them the perfect drink, players unlock narrative vignettes about the town's history and residents.
The town itself is full of intriguing characters: Mrs. Henderson, the retired librarian who knows everyone's secrets; Jake, the young artist struggling with creative block; Maria, the traveling musician passing through town; and many others. As players improve their café skills and build relationships, they uncover the truth about Aunt Clara's life and the café's special role in the community.
The gameplay involves coffee preparation mini-games, café decoration and upgrades, relationship building with regulars, and managing resources while slowly uncovering the overarching mystery of why Aunt Clara left the café to a relative she'd never met.
Core Mechanics: Time management, coffee crafting, story unlocking, relationship progression, café customization.
Musical Brief
From: Emma Thompson, Narrative Designer
Subject: Music for Our Cozy Café Game - Think Afternoon Sunlight
"Hi there! We're creating a really special cozy game, and music is absolutely crucial to the experience. This isn't about high scores or competition - it's about creating a warm, welcoming space where people can relax and enjoy gentle storytelling.
Musical needs:
Main café theme (8-10 minutes, very long seamless loop)
Morning opening music (3 minutes, gentle and welcoming)
Afternoon busy period (5 minutes, a bit more energy but still cozy)
Evening wind-down (4 minutes, peaceful and reflective)
Story moments music (3-4 minutes, emotional and supportive)
Seasonal variations (shorter pieces that blend with main themes)
The feeling we want: Imagine the perfect café where you'd want to spend a rainy afternoon reading a book. Warm wood, soft lighting, the gentle hum of conversation, the sound of coffee being made with care. The music should feel like a warm hug - comforting, familiar, but never boring.
Our inspiration:
Studio Ghibli films (especially Kiki's Delivery Service café scenes)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (that perfect cozy energy)
The acoustic tracks from A Short Hike
Real-world café playlists with indie folk and gentle acoustic music
Important considerations:
Many players are using this game to relax and de-stress
Sessions can last 30+ minutes, so variety within loops is important
The music needs to support reading (story segments) without being distracting
Should feel welcoming to people of all ages
Technical specs:
High-quality audio (48kHz/24-bit for mastering, 44.1kHz/16-bit for delivery)
Mobile-optimized file sizes
Seamless looping is absolutely critical
Consider stems for possible dynamic mixing based on gameplay
Cultural considerations: Our player base is international, so avoid music that's too culturally specific. Think "universal coziness" rather than any particular regional style.
Timeline: We'd love to have initial concepts in 3 weeks, with revisions and final tracks completed within 6 weeks total.
Special request: If possible, we'd love the music to have some seasonal adaptability - maybe the same melodies with different instrumentation for spring/summer/fall/winter versions. Not required, but would be amazing for our planned seasonal content updates.
This project is really close to our hearts, and we want to create something that brings genuine comfort to people's lives. Looking forward to working with someone who shares that vision!"