Difference between revisions of "Virtual Dating Simulations"

Revision as of 02:01, 6 October 2011

Virtual Dating Simulations

Virtual Dating Simulations, otherwise known as dating sims, are a subgenre of adventure games generally under the play style of RPG’s, or role-playing. They have emerged as a prominent game genre in the recent era. The general concepts of these games are centered on the player gaining and developing a romantic relationship with one of the featured characters.

Prince of Tennis Dating Game for Nintendo DS

Characteristics

Players usually start by entering a name and gender for their playable character. They can choose from a set of personality traits and physical attributes to give their character dimension. From then, users complete a set of tasks in order to receive points and boosters for their personality statistics that range from attractiveness to intelligence. In addition, determining on which decisions they make, users are responsible for the fluctuations of the attraction status of their desired character. Throughout these simulations, time plays a key role by helping to determine when specific events will occur as well as control the energy status of the player. Along the way, players are able to develop a storyline from their daily actions in the simulation. While trying to gain the love of one of the characters, users are given the option of becoming friends with other characters. Rivalries and conflict also play into structure of most dating simulations, giving them the authenticity to reality.

Styles

Dating simulations are usually divided into two different styles, linear and nonlinear.

Linear style

Linear style refers to games that have a set storyline and have the least amount of individual game play. Within dating simulations, linear style is most prevalent in visual novels. These games focus more on the story, and dialogue is essential rather than player mobility. Players have set actions and cannot explore different areas of the game. Rather, there is only one playable area in the game. There are almost no statistics in these games so a player’s ability to gain a relationship with others is based solely on their answers to specific questions asked by the game characters.

An example of a popular game that features this dating simulation style is Surviving High School.

Nonlinear style

Nonlinear style, or open world gaming, gives players the freedom to customize their playable character. Furthermore, there are more regions available to explore. In addition, there are multiple ways to boost statistics through mini games and regular actions in these games. Overall, more strategy is required for nonlinear dating simulations because there are multiple answers to different questions and actions play a very large role in determining who the player ends up with. Also, there are generally different endings as well.

Popular examples of this style ranges from the extreme like in Second Life where players have the freedom to do whatever they choose and there are no limitations, to more controlled and hinted like in Star Ocean, Persona series, and Harvest Moon.

Popularity

Dating simulations have large audiences within East Asia, and Japan is one of the lead developer of these games in the world. A major difference between dating sims in Asia and the United States is that in Asia visual novels are more prevalent and are considered more romantic and complex [1]. Their equivalent in the West would be interactive, computerized versions of romance novels.

Recently, Japan has created a new addition to their dating simulation and visual novel collection known as Webkare, or web boyfriend. A web game geared towards females, the site gained over 10,000 members just five days after its release on September 10, receiving around 3.5 million page views. This website is blend of both social networking as well as a dating sim where players have to work with other players on the website in order to advance in the game. Also, the game includes tweeting and status updates of players relationships [2].

18+ Adult Games

As popularity of dating sims grew, so did an adult version of these games come to surface. Within these versions, players are able eligible for romantic and sexual relationships with game characters. These games usually fit under the category of H Games. These games are usually made by private companies in Japan and are only available on the PC. They feature censorship, and are available to individuals 15+.

Criticism and Reception

While there are positive reviews for the creativity and original game play of certain dating sims, there are many arguments against dating sims and other subgenres of its class.

Critics of it generally argue that dating simulations create detached individuals from reality. Instead of going out and meeting individual in real life or even on dating sites, dating simulation are ultimately an escape for the introverted and lazy. Furthermore, it creates unrealistic expectations in the other sex. This separation from reality is consider unhealthy by many, and is seen as degrading principles and morals due to the explicit games available for this genre and other forms of gaming [3].

For women, there is even more criticism that comes from the fact these types of games are unnecessary and are seen as an inability to be coupe and speak for themselves in the real world [4].

In addition to this, dating sims are an open door for perverse individuals seeking child pornography since animation does not follow under the legal law.

However, others state that role-playing games, RPGs, are learning experiences for players. They argue that players are able to judge their morals in these games and usually choose options that fit their ethics and principles [5].

It can even be argued that dating sims also creates more awareness for homosexual groups since there are many games that feature same sex relationships.

See Also

• Online Dating
• Virtual Child Pornography
• Virtual Environment
• Virtual Reality and Computer Simulations - Philip Brey
• Women in Gaming

Citations and References

1. "Visual Novels: A Cultural Difference Between The East And West." Siliconera. Version 1. www.siliconera.com, 17 Feb. 2011. Web. 4 Oct. 2011. <www.siliconera.com/2011/02/17/visual-novels-a-cultural-difference-between-the-east-and-west/
2. Toto, Serkan. "Japanese Girl Sensation: Virtual Boyfriends (Webkare) | TechCrunch." TechCrunch. N.p., 28 Sept. 2008. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. <http://techcrunch.com/2008/09/20/webkare-a-girls-only-combination-of-social-network-and-dating-game-from-japan/>.
3. "The Missing Human Connection | Genius Coaching." Genius Coaching - Great to Significant. N.p., 21 June 2011. Web. 5 Oct. 2011. <http://www.geniuscoaching.com/gc/2011/06/the-missing-human-connection/>.
4. Royse, Pam, Joon Lee, Baasanjav Undrahbuyan, Mark Hopson, and Mia Consalvo. "Women and games: technologies of the gendered self." New Media Society 9 (2007): 566-572.
5. Simkins, David W., and Constance Steinkuehler. "Critical Ethical Reasoning and Role-Play." Games and Culture 3 (2008): 338-342.