This morning, I decided to download an idle game called Tiny Pasture onto my work computer. Much like Rusty’s Retirement, Tiny Pasture hangs out at the lower edge of my desktop screen, happily overlaying whatever windows I have open. Currently, I’ve got five bunnies scurrying around on my Polygon CMS window as I work on this article. The game, developed by CaveLiquid and released just this past Monday, has already captivated over 10,000 concurrent players on Steam. Clearly, I’m not alone in my affection for these charming digital critters.
In contrast to the farming simulation mechanics found in Rusty’s Retirement, Tiny Pasture leans more towards pet care and management. During the few hours I’ve had it running on my PC, I’ve managed to gather a cute little crew of five rabbits, who occasionally gift me coins for my efforts. These coins are currency for upgrading your pasture—be it through acquiring additional animals, nifty decorations, or facilities like the beehive I added, which conveniently collects coins on its own. To keep my adorable troop in tip-top shape, I make sure they’re fed with carrots or cabbage. Giving them a little friendly pat now and then keeps them content—and it comes with the added perk of more coins. As expected, they do their business, too, so a quick click cleans up their droppings.
As you advance, you can unlock a variety of other animals including corgis, cats, capybaras, pandas, and parrots. Intriguingly, even ghosts and zombies can inhabit your farm, though personally, I’m not too keen on nurturing those. Breeding is also an option, allowing you to discover new and rare colors and markings.
Tiny Pasture nails the pacing that’s ideal for an idle game. The coin-gathering process is designed to encourage patience—just watching, clicking occasionally, and waiting for the right moment to make upgrades. This element of waiting is why I’ve managed to keep on track with this article. It’s genuinely delightful to take brief breaks throughout the day to check on my farm, then seamlessly return to my tasks seconds later. Each little pause provides a nice dopamine boost, making my workday just that bit brighter.
It’s this occasional burst of happiness that might explain the appeal behind games like Tiny Pasture, Weyrdlets, and Rusty’s Retirement. They offer a delightful, low-commitment distraction. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a cute little escape with minimal stakes?
