Case Study: Delphinium - Bittersweet Cosy Farming & Story Indie Game
- Naveed Nawal
- Dec 10
- 3 min read
A farming sim where friendships matter as much as the harvest
THE BACKGROUND
In a world awash with fast-paced gaming and high-stakes competition, developer CINNADEV takes a different path. With the cosy indie game Delphinium, the focus lies not just on planting and harvesting, but on the quiet moments between - the conversations, the friendships, the small gestures that shape a life. The campaign invites players into a cosy, bittersweet farming sim where growing crops is as much about cultivating community as it is about bumps on the soil.
Led by creator Sev from Australia, the project emphasises artful pixel-style design, tender storytelling, and a world that feels lived in. The campaign’s promise: a game where the player’s choices ripple not only through the farm, but through the lives of characters around you. This emotional angle helps Delphinium stand apart - it isn’t just another farming sim, it’s a game about connection.
THE APPROACH
With Delphinium, CINNADEV chose to lean into what many games leave out: the slow, thoughtful build of relationships and memories. The development journey emphasises character-driven narrative and emotional realism as much as farming mechanics. Instead of focusing solely on automation or mechanics, the team crafted a world where players pause to chat, to listen, to reflect.
From the outset, visual and audio design worked hand in hand: the pixel art was given space to breathe, the soundtrack echoed softly in the background, and the animations mirrored subtle emotional beats. The approach wasn’t about flashy systems or endless complexity, but about feel - how a scene can settle like dusk, how a memory can linger in a silhouette. GIFs and screenshots shared in campaign updates show Seville-style interiors, shelves grouped with mementoes, and characters with thoughtful expressions.
At the same time, CINNADEV balanced accessibility with depth: farming loops remain intuitive, while narrative layers offer surprises for those who engage. Because the team wanted players to feel at home, they ensured the game offers an experience both for casual play and for deeper emotional resonance. By launching via Kickstarter, they invited their future players into the creative process - sharing dev updates, behind-the-scenes art, and community posts. This openness helps underline that Delphinium is built with heart, not just code.
TOTAL BACKERS:
829
AMOUNT RAISED:
AU $40,270 / AU$ 15,000
PERCENT OF GOAL:
268%
THE RESULTS
The campaign tapped into a longing for games that matter in quieter ways. Because Delphinium foregrounds emotional connection, it resonates with players who seek experience over endless grind. Early screenshots, community engagement, and the promise of a meaningful story have helped build momentum. Although full funding stats may still evolve, the trajectory suggests that the project has found its niche: a community appreciative of design, heart and narrative ambition. For creators, this demonstrates a valuable lesson: when you craft around feeling, around the human element rather than just features, your campaign becomes a shared journey rather than a mere purchase.
Delphinium shows that not all campaigns need to shout the loudest - sometimes the softest voice echoes the furthest. By centring connection, emotion and quiet craftsmanship, CINNADEV invites us into a game that feels personal, not just playable. If you’re planning your next campaign: ask what emotion you’re building, who you’re inviting in, and how the player will feel when the screen goes dark. Because when you build with purpose, your backers don’t just fund - they become companions in the story.
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