Accessibility for educational games is a work in progress across the industry. We continually seek solutions to make our products fully accessible and we strive to adhere to established standards for accessibility and usability on each new project. Some of our older products may not be accessible in all areas and have not been optimized for current accessibility recommendations. Here, we offer the content and approach of this game, so that learners are better able to find alternative content and ways of learning.
In the fictional world of Cozy Valley, the player will run a farm for 60 years (15 rounds) with the goal of growing crops and making a profit while securing the health of the aquifer and a good community life. If water levels in the aquifer run low, the game is over.
Gameplay is conducted via mouse, trackpad clicking, or keyboard. It may be accessible for special equipment replacing trackpad.
This game does not contain a practice mode. However, players are able to familiarize themselves with gameplay within the first level with little to no repercussions. A guide on the game elements is provided in the form of an “almanac.” Details on how farming works in real life are shown throughout the game.
All graphics were tested using the Sim Daltonism app and other browser-based color blindness and color contrast checkers.
The interactive can be completed using either mouse/trackpad or keyboard commands and is minimally reliant on clicking precision.
Music and sound effects are present, but the game is able to be played without sound.
This game is web-based.
This game is available in English.
Keyboard zooming options are available.
In the game, text is present and letterboxed.
Copyright 2025, New Mexico State University Board of Regents. Cozy River Valley was developed by New Mexico State University Innovative Media Research and Extension and its Learning Games Lab.
This work is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative competitive grant project award no. 2022-51181-38332, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, with additional funding from USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative Coordinated Agricultural Project 2022-51181-38332.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
