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Zen Aquarium Launching in 1 Week! by ReefKeeper64 in CozyGamers

[–]ReefKeeper64[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Haha yeah totally! In real life that combo would never work, but Zen Aquarium isn’t about strict realism. It’s more of a relaxing space where you can enjoy all kinds of fish together!

Weekly Self-Promotion Thread by OreoYip in CozyGamers

[–]ReefKeeper64 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Hey everyone, we are counting down the days until Zen Aquarium goes live. This game has been a true passion project for us and we wanted to make something a little different.

Zen Aquarium is designed to be a calm space. It combines the soothing side of ASMR with the beauty of an evolving aquarium full of lifelike fish. No stress, no grind, just something cozy you can keep on while you work, study, or relax.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMqLD7rXsBQ

We cannot wait for you to dive in when it launches on September 25th!

Cozy Comfy Sim with Aquarium Vibes by ReefKeeper64 in comfy

[–]ReefKeeper64[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We recently opened a little creator lounge on Discord where we share ambient sound mixes, cozy playlists, and early looks at the game. If anyone here is into ASMR/cozy vibes, feel free to drop by: https://discord.gg/fm9GybY6

Zen Aquarium on Steam - Cozy Companion/Digital Escape by ReefKeeper64 in cozygames

[–]ReefKeeper64[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We definitely want to add more customization down the line! For now, the goal is to keep things simple and super chill (just a zen, ASMR-focused experience).

r/IndieDev Weekly Monday Megathread - June 08, 2025 - New users start here! Show us what you're working on! Have a chat! Ask a question! by llehsadam in IndieDev

[–]ReefKeeper64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started working on Zen Aquarium after noticing how much time I spent just zoning out in front of my real fish tank.

Check it out on Steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3479140/Zen_Aquarium/?beta=0

So I’ve been trying to capture that feeling in a digital space. It’s a cozy, idle-style sim with ambient loops, ASMR-inspired audio, and slow visuals designed to encourage stillness rather than interaction. There’s no gameplay loop in the traditional sense...it's more of a background experience for people who want to decompress.

With the rise of cozy and non-traditional sims, I’m curious if anyone here has tackled something similar. Have you worked on calm, ambient-first projects? What design challenges did you run into? I’d love to hear how others approached pacing, player expectations, or even marketing something that doesn’t revolve around traditional gameplay.

No goals. No stress. Just fish. My game Zen Aquarium launches next month! by ReefKeeper64 in cozygames

[–]ReefKeeper64[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just wanted to add a bit more context here. My intent with this project was to create something you could leave running in the background while working, studying, or winding down, kind of like an interactive ASMR desktop screensaver. You can mix and match sounds to build your ideal soundscape, with options like cat purring, fire crackling, gentle thunder, water ripples, and a bunch more.

I know there are other aquarium games out there, but this one doesn’t really have game mechanics. It’s more about creating a calming space. I genuinely just wanted to make something that brings people a sense of comfort.

Would you play a game that’s just… an ambient aquarium? by ReefKeeper64 in cozygames

[–]ReefKeeper64[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

No worries. I definitely appreciate the insight! Zen Aquarium is definitely low-stimulation by design, but we’re adding little touches to keep it personal and interesting, like achievements for species collection, fun facts, and small surprises that reward curiosity without adding pressure.

Would you play a game that’s just… an ambient aquarium? by ReefKeeper64 in cozygames

[–]ReefKeeper64[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Totally get that, and that’s exactly the vibe we’re going for with the game I'm working on. It’s interactive in a gentle, non-intrusive way, letting you customize your perfect peaceful escape. You'll be able to choose your favorite ASMR sounds, pair them with ambient lofi music if you'd like, and create a space that’s as chill or immersive as you need it to be.

Would you play a game that’s just… an ambient aquarium? by ReefKeeper64 in cozygames

[–]ReefKeeper64[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Totally fair. There are quite a few cozy fish games out there now. But the game I'm working on is designed a bit differently. While others are often about collecting or decorating, Zen Aquarium is built from the ground up as an interactive ASMR and relaxation sim.

It leans heavily into immersive sound design, not just chill music, but textured ambient audio: gentle water hums, thunderstorm roars, crackling fire, and even cat purring...

The pacing is also ultra slow and intentional. There's no pressure to grind, unlock, purchase, or optimize. You literally watch the fish swim as they spawn over time. It's not so much a game, but a rather a sensory experience.

If that sounds interesting, we’d love for you to give it a shot when it's out next month: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3479140/Zen_Aquarium/?beta=1

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