This article appears to contradict another article (Visual novel). Please see discussion on the talk page.

For the adventure sub-genre that is also often referred as "dating sim", see visual novel.

Dating simulations (dating sims) are a video game subgenre of simulation games, usually Japanese, with romantic elements. The most common objective of dating sims is to date, usually choosing from among several characters, and to achieve a romantic relationship. In the West, the term dating sim is also used to classify what are known as visual novels in Japan. However, this is mixing genre and medium, as visual novels are considered a subgenre of adventure games and the term does not cover simulations. While the two genres often share a common visual presentation, dating sims are sometimes considered to be more statistically based than the "choose your own adventure" style of visual novels. Image File history File links Circle-contradict. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... AnimePlay is a trademark used to refer to the visual novel games distributed by Hirameki International and a magazine profiling these games. ... Dōjin soft (short for software) are video games created by Japanese hobbyists, more for fun than for profit; essentially, the Japanese equivalent of shareware video games. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... An eroge (erotic game) is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. ... A bishōjo game (美少女ゲーム bishōjo gēmu); more often spelled bishoujo game), also known as a girl game/gal game is a type of Japanese video game centered around interactions with attractive anime-style girls. ... Namcos Pac-Man was a hit, and became a cultural phenomenon. ... A screenshot from The Sims: Deluxe Edition. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ... Adventure is a genre of video games typified by exploration, puzzle-solving, interaction with game characters, and a focus on narrative rather than reflex-based challenges. ...

The technical definition of a dating simulation game, known as a romantic simulation game (恋愛シミュレーションゲーム, ren'ai shimyureeshon geemu^?) in Japan, can involve several technical elements such as a time limit, several statistics such as looks and charm which can be boosted through exercise, or an "attraction meter" which can increase or decrease depending on one's decisions. However, the term "dating simulation" is commonly defined as simply a romantic game and need not include any of these elements. Dating sims can be simply presented as visual novels, known as romantic adventure games (恋愛ADV, ren'ai ADV^?) in Japan. A visual novel is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art. ...

Some dating sims have been imported to the United States by companies such as JAST USA and G-Collections, but most never leave Japan, at least not as official releases. Contrary to popular Western misconception, only a very small percentage of them are tied to anime titles, though some do exist, such as Tokimeki Memorial, the Prince of Tennis dating sims, Angelique, and Sotsugyou M. Several of these titles started life as dating sims, and were later turned into anime. JAST USA is a licensor and distributor of English-language Bishōjo games, some of which are as dating sims or eroge. ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Box art for Tokimeki Memorial 3 Tokimeki Memorial is a popular renai game series by Konami. ... Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump Original run July 1999 – present No. ... Angelique is a series of Neoromance dating sims by KOEI from Ruby Party with character designs by shōjo manga artist Kairi Yura and music by Kuzuu Chinatsu. ...

Some American fans refer to dating sims as ren'ai games, from the Japanese ren'ai (romance).

Characteristics

Dōkyūsei (Classmates) established the basic conventions for dating sims in 1992. In a typical dating sim, the player controls a male avatar surrounded by female characters. The gameplay involves conversing with a selection of girls, attempting to increase their internal "love meter" through correct choices of dialogue. This then effects which internal "path" you take through the game like it would in a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. The game lasts for a fixed period of game time, such as one month or three years. When the game ends, the player either loses the game if he failed to properly win over any of the girls, or "finishes" one of the girls, often by having sex with her or achieving eternal love. This gives the games more replay value than some other game genres, since the player can focus on a different girl each time, trying to get a different ending. The original DōkyÅ«sei, released in 1992. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... The Cave of Time, the first Choose Your Own Adventure book. ...

Many titles also exist where the player character is female and potential objects of affection are male: the four dating sims based on the Prince of Tennis TV series (Gakuensai no Oujisama, Rush and Dream, and the double game Dokidoki Survival), Angelique, Harukanaru Toki no Naka De, La Corda D'Oro, Kimagure Strawberry Cafe, and Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side are just a few. This genre is known as GxB. Also of note is the BL genre. While fewer in number, there are also female/female (GxG) titles and titles with no specific gender lines ("all pairings") in existence. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump Original run July 1999 – present No. ... Angelique may refer to: Angelique - a GxB series including video games, manga, and anime Angelique (Dark Shadows) - a Dark Shadows television series character Marie-Joseph Angélique - executed French slave known as Angelique Angélique (play) - by Lorena Gale, winner of the 1995 duMaurier National Playwriting Competition in Canada Angelique... Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ) is an anime series. ... Original run October 1, 2006 – On going No. ... BL games (also known as yaoi games) usually refer to H games oriented around homosexual couples, though they can be any male/male dating sim. ... All pairings is a common term used in reference to dating sims and similarly set-up friendship games where there are both male and female playable characters and/or both male and female potential dates available. ...

There are many variations on this theme: high-school romances are the most common, but a dating sim may also take place in a fantasy setting and involve such challenges as defending one's girl from monsters. Dating sims, as their name suggests, generally strive for a romantic atmosphere.

Reception in the United States

Kana Imōto is one of a few dating sims that have been translated into English.

Dating sims have generally struggled to find a market in the United States. The first eroge to be imported to the United States were created by Megatech Software, a small, possibly unincorporated firm which translated and released games from 1992 to 1995 and then folded without notice sometime afterwards. Jast USA also began making games in 1992, and Himeya Soft began releasing games in 1996, but neither one was noticed by mainstream gamers. Kana box cover, This work is copyrighted. ... Kana box cover, This work is copyrighted. ... Kana Imōto (加奈～いもうと～; translated as Kana — Little Sister) is a Japanese dating sim originally developed and released by D.O. in 1999. ... An eroge (erotic game) is a Japanese video or computer game that features erotic content, usually in the form of anime-style artwork. ... Megatech Software was the first licensor of anime games in the United States. ... JAST USA is a licensor and distributor of English-language Bishōjo games, some of which are as dating sims or eroge. ...

Meanwhile, a start-up called SoftEgg acquired the license to Princess Maker 2 and completed a translation, but because of the lack of a known market for the game, SoftEgg had to work with a small production company which eventually went bankrupt. The first self-dubbed "anime game", Graduation, was released by Mixx in 1997 to much fanfare, but it failed to find a market. These endeavours made American licensors wary about anime style games, and halted the progress of the genre for roughly five years, preventing an English version of Tokimeki Memorial. Princess Maker 2 is the second installment in the Princess Maker series of life simulation games developed by the Japanese computer game and anime production company Gainax. ... For the music movie, see Tokyo Pop. ... Box art for Tokimeki Memorial 3 Tokimeki Memorial is a popular renai game series by Konami. ...

In 1998, Atlus released Thousand Arms for the Sony Playstation in the U.S. However, while this game contains a dating sim as a side game, this is only a single component of the game. For the most part, Thousand Arms is a role-playing game, and the dating sim is not even required to complete it. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean [1]. // Coated in ice, power and telephone lines sag and often break, resulting in power outages. ... Atlus is a Japanese computer and video game developer and publisher. ... // Thousand Arms Thousand Arms is a role-playing video game for the Sony Playstation released by Atlus. ... A role-playing game (RPG, often roleplaying game) is a type of game in which the participants assume the roles of fictional characters and collaboratively create or follow stories. ...

One game series that keeps a sub quest of dating in most of the games is the farming sim the "Harvest_Moon_series". The subplot of dating is more focused towards choosing one of usually five girls and offering them presents or joining them on events in the game. While this isn't a full dating sim, it is a very popular aspect of the game due to it being a unique idea for a Western video game. Harvest Moon on the SNES Harvest Moon (牧場物語 in Japanese, pronounced Bokujō Monogatari, Farm Story) is the name of a series of farm simulation/role-playing video games produced by Victor Interactive Software (acquired by Marvelous Interactive in 2002). ...

External links

• Dating Simulations at the Open Directory Project