DATING SIMULATION GAMES IMPACT TO SOCIETY
A Research Paper Presented to
Mr. Dustin Celestino of the English Resource
Center
Asia Pacific College
Magallanes, Makati
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
RESWRIT-Research Writing
By
Mary Kristelyn F. Blas
ABMA - 121
February 2013
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Numerous of different kinds of dating simulation games were
developed from anime. Anime industries greatly influenced the development of
dating sims. With the help of anime fans, who were greatly involved by liking
this media, developed an idea to create a game where you can date, talk, and
share wonderful moments with your favourite anime character. Dating sims that
originated in Japan have different kinds of categories like Otome (maiden)
games for females, Bishojo (pretty girl) games for males and other subgenres
like Eroge (erotic) games, that involves pornography. But there are still a lot
of other dating sims that involve a homosexual relationship because of the
popularity of yaoi (boys’ love) and yuri(girls’ love) in animes and mangas (http://www.nz17.com/anifanatikku/articles/31.php).
Many dating simulation games were based on anime, and anime
based on dating sims. It was considered to be one of the major reasons why
dating simulation games became popular. Mainly the fact that the art style and
genres of anime were really popular among anime fans, otakus, and gamers these
days (http://antiotaku.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/what-the-heck-is-a-dating-sim/).
The popularity of adapting animes for
dating simulation games in Japan also spread throughout the world. In other
countries, especially Western countries, these games were easily adaptive and
made into their own art style, wherein the character’s looks are realistic
rather than anime-based characters (http://louardongames.blogspot.com/2012/08/do-westerners-play-dating-sims-or-stop.html). And according to Yano Research
Institute, dating simulation games that are played for females gave the great
impact in sales in 2010(http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-10-14/yano-research-reports-on-japan-2009-10-otaku-market)
The wide growth of dating sims industries influenced a lot of
people in their lives either in a positive or negative way. Just like for
females who are satisfied in a virtual relationship as indicated in the article
of Kimiteru Tsuruta (http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/17/net-us-japan-love-game-idUSBRE8BG03120121217), where it states that “love games” popular in Japan make women happily
secured of having a safe relationship, even when the marriage rate in Japan
fell.
Being a famous
among a lot of people, dating sims became a major issue of how they were used.
Since dating sims like otome games became popular among women, it also became
popular among men in the same and different reasons. Same, because some men are
romantically involved but others are only sexually involved. Like eroge games
and other subgenres that focuses on pornography, caused some problems for men.
Example of this case is an article of Dr. Mark J. Kline (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/ask-dr-mark/8726-Dating-Sims), where it helped a certain avid gamer to answer his problems about the
effects of dating sims to him.
There are a lot
of reasons why people play dating sims. The only fact that it was a part of
entertainment that developed and become popular throughout the years, although
there are consequences and risks when it comes to one’s lifestyle. Therefore,
having further understanding about the positive and negative effects of being a
gamer of these dating sims.
This research paper focuses on the reasons why many people
were motivated to use dating simulation games as substitute for a real
relationship.
B. Statement of the Problem:
This study aims to answer:
Some of the interviewed person of Wakabayashi gave an opinion on how dating sims effect their live in a positive way. Tatsuya Fukazawa, a 19-year-old college student, was visiting Atami for the first time on a recent weekend. In a small waist bag, he carried his Nintendo DS. Once he turned on the device, his virtual girlfriend Manaka Takane—a Libra who enjoys making pastries—greeted him in a syrupy sweet voice.
<http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-12-17/japanese-women-realize-digital-boyfriends-are-easier-than-real-life-boyfriends/>
Smith, Ed. The Time I Was a Social Outcast. Web. n.d. <http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/10139-The-Time-I-Was-a-Social-Outcast>
- What are the reasons why many people were motivated to use dating simulation games as substitute for real relationship?
Some of the interviewed person of Wakabayashi gave an opinion on how dating sims effect their live in a positive way. Tatsuya Fukazawa, a 19-year-old college student, was visiting Atami for the first time on a recent weekend. In a small waist bag, he carried his Nintendo DS. Once he turned on the device, his virtual girlfriend Manaka Takane—a Libra who enjoys making pastries—greeted him in a syrupy sweet voice.
<http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-12-17/japanese-women-realize-digital-boyfriends-are-easier-than-real-life-boyfriends/>
Smith, Ed. The Time I Was a Social Outcast. Web. n.d. <http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/10139-The-Time-I-Was-a-Social-Outcast>
C. Significance of the Study:
Gamers: This research
paper would be able to help the gamers in learning more about the dating sims.
This research paper will include the different effects of dating sims in a
person.
Anime enthusiasts: This research will benefit Anime
enthusiasts in learning more about the dating sims that are adapted in anime
and vice versa. Including the news about the animes and dating sims.
D. Scope and Delimitation:
This study focuses on the reasons why many people were
motivated to use dating simulation games as substitute for real relationship.
This study
will emphasize on the effects of different kinds dating simulation and the
reasons why it was being played. Therefore, this research paper will study
focus mainly on the people who experienced playing this game and changes in
their lives.
E. Materials and Methods:
This research will be based on the articles about dating
sims, visual novels, animes and the experiences on a person who have positive
and negative effect on playing the dating simulation games. Since the
researcher aims to let the readers know the reasons why many people were
motivated to use dating simulation games as substitute for real relationship. A
descriptive method will be recommended since there is a need of explanation
in the process.
F. Definition of Terms:
Dating sims. A type of dating game
that originated in Japan.
Otome game. A Japanese term called
“maiden” in Japan and a popular dating game for females.
Bishojo game. A Japanese term
called “pretty girl” in Japan and a popular dating game for males.
Eroge game. A Japanese term called
“erotic” in Japan and a major genre of dating sims that contains pornography.
Yaio game. A Japanese term called
“boy’s love” in Japan and a subgenre of datings sims that contains bisexual
relationship among males.
Yuri game. A Japanese term called
“girl’s love” in Japan and a subgenre of datings sims that contains bisexual
relationship among females.
Anime. A popular media among a lot
of fans that originated in Japan
Chapter 2
DISCUSSION
What are the reasons why many people were motivated to use
dating simulation games as substitute for real relationship?
I.
Definition and Types of Dating
simulation Games
Dating sims or
dating simulation games are defined as a type of dating game that deals with
romantic relationship. Dating simulation games were developed to create a
romantic relationship with the game character, where you control the main
protagonist and select numerous of different game characters as option to fall
in love with. These dating simulation games are originated in Japan and became
popular through its unique anime art-style that became famous in many fans.
This definition was
sometimes misinterpreted to be the subgenre of visual novel. Visual novels are
considered to be the subgenre of adventure games and not technically included
as a dating sim genre. But both dating sims and visual novels have share common
visual presentation, dating sims are sometimes considered to be more
statistically based than the "choose your own adventure" style of visual novels. Visual novels
are form of interactive fiction, featuring mostly static graphics and also use
the same anime art-style in dating sims. While in dating sims, known as
romantic simulation game in Japan, involves 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. For further understanding according to Pete Davison about his article “Read me: A Fine
Romance”, “The terms “visual novel” and “dating sim” are used
somewhat interchangeably in the West — even by those who publish them — but in
actuality, this isn’t particularly accurate. Visual novels often involve
romantic and/or sexual relationships as a key part of their narrative, sure,
and dating sims involve a lot of reading text and making choices — but it’s in
terms of overall structure that they differ quite significantly from one
another. Specifically, in a dating sim, you’re often given a lot more freedom
in terms of how to pursue your dream partner — and a consequent greater
potential to mess things up entirely — whereas in a visual novel, you’re
typically following a more clearly-defined, linear narrative (http://gamesareevil.com/2012/11/readme-fine-romance/).”
Dating simulation games can be differentiated
through different genres such as; otome, bishojo, eroge, BL-game, and GL-game.
Otome games or “maiden” games are dating sim created for females, where the
female player character chooses one route of male character and develop a romantic relationship. Bishojo games or “pretty girl” are
centered on interaction with attractive anime-style girls. Bishojo have two
common subgenre; ren’ai games often called “dating sims” in English and eroge
games often called “hentai games”, where it consist of pornographic content and
the most popular bishojo game. There are also homosexual games like BL game
often called “yaoi game” or Boy’s Love game, where teenage boys and young adult
males engaged in homosexual relationship. Just like BL game, GL games or often
called “yuri game” or Girl’s Love games are also referred as a homosexual
relationship between female game characters.
II.
Factors Influencing the Popularity of
Dating Simulation Games
Considering the good story plot in the gameplay of dating
sims there are still different factors that results to the rising popularity of
dating simulation games. The following are influenced by:
A. Technology Advancement
Throughout
the years, technology has greatly influenced the lifestyle of people. Many
developed gadgets were introduced to us and became popular, especially in field
of gaming. Iphone, smart phones, Psp, loptaps, and many more different kinds of
gadgets that are used for dating sims. It was proved according to Kana
Shimada, a novelist who writes about “Modern Women and Relationships”, “The
games, which can be played on smart phones, are especially popular with working
single women in their 30s who feel they don't have the time or energy for a
real relationship due to their demanding work schedule (http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/17/net-us-japan-love-game-idUSBRE8BG03120121217). ”
In addition
to that, according to Rob Beschizza about her
article “Kimiteru Tsuruta on The Increasing Popularity of Dating Sims
Among Japanese Women”, where she
discussed the popularity of of a certain dating simulation games in western
market. “Smartphones seem to be the game changer, opening up a traditionally
male-oriented genre to more female interest. One interesting coda: when translated
to English, the love interests in games such as Pirates in Love are "tweaked to appeal more to local
women", a new twist on a legendarily lame trend in videogame westernization
(http://boingboing.net/2012/12/17/dating-sims-broaden-appeal.html)”
Not only for women dating sims became popular but also for
men. It was prove in the article “Man Marries Video Game Character Virtual World” written by Kyung Lah, “Japan's Internet
community has witnessed relationships and marriages to avatars, though it's
typically been within the confines of the virtual world. Last month, Sal
decided to be the first human-to-avatar union. Clad in a white tux, Sal married
Nene in front of some friends and Web users watching the ceremony live online (http://articles.cnn.com/2009-12-16/world/japan.virtual.wedding_1_virtual-world-sal-marry?_s=PM:WORLD).”
B. Anime Adaptation
Anime was already introduced in older days so there are the
facts that dating sim adaptation was created to give a great fandom in the
anime art-style. It was truly realized that animes adapted form dating sims are
extremely popular in wertern market. According to Patrick W
Galbraith on his article “Dating
Simulator Games Inspire Legion of Followers and Detractors”, where he interviewed Junya
Tamano, 34, a Holibox spokesman said, “Dating simulators that become anime are
well-known overseas, and many fans in America were coming to our booth asking
about them.”
In addition Tamano stated, “Such
titles include “Higurashi no Naku Koro ni” and “School Days,” both of which
went on to become mainstream hits despite being criticized by the Japanese
public as too violent. The former follows a group of students as they navigate
adolescent love affairs, a series of mysterious murders and growing paranoia in
a fictional rural village. The latter involves a school-age love triangle that
can result in murder or suicide. Both became popular TV anime and mixed-media
franchises, and Manga Gamer will release the first four “Higurashi” games in
October (http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/dating-simulator-games-inspire-legion-of-followers%E2%80%94and-detractors).”
Dating sims are often used as ideas for new anime show for
several reasons. The first thing is that unlike some other genres of video
games, dating sims already have fleshed out characters, story lines and
dialogue that can be used in an anime show. A dating sims with anime adaptation
has publicity attached and the fans of the game are usually eager to watch it
one television giving it a boost to ratings. Just like dating sims, when a
visual novel became popular it also often adapted to light novel, manga or
anime formats.
Searching
for some examples of the latest anime adaptation of dating sims from the
internet, I came across from the different websites and the popular bishojo
games; Photo Kano, Amagami, and Koi-ken!, popular otome games; Hanayaka Nari Waga Ichizoku and Hakuoki:
Demon Of The Fleeting Blossom. The Idea Factory's historical
RPG Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting
Blossom will be North America's first widely available "otome".
C. Internet
With the help
of the internet many dating simulation games where introduced. Various websites, blogs, forums, and fan pages where
created by companies, artist, and fans which helped them to be updated in every
news about dating sims but also in latest and favourite their animes. Many sites preferred offering free online
play of some dating sims for the try out for fans. On this article written by
Damian Cross “Naruto Games Online: Naruto Dating Sims Game”, states the big
popularity of this anime series to create an innovative application that allows
the fans to play online created by Fejro Production. Cross said, “Best of all
these online games are free of charge, players are not required to register or
spend any money to engage in these games (http://www.isnare.com/?aid=486903&ca=Entertainment).”
Numerous blogs, forums and fan page sites were created by many fans that
helped them connected. Some blog post and forums where used to introduced
fan-made dating sims and acknowledged by many fans, some examples that I
searched are Sim Girl, Ganguro, The Pk Girl, and Muto Anime. I discovered that
some fan-made dating sims are mostly BL games
like Yami no
Romance and Love Impact, both a visual novel game and a doujinshi
(“self-published works”) game based on the anime version of the shoujo series
Yami no Matsuei.
Some dating
sims are in Japanese languages and not yet made into English version so it is
hard for the awaiting fans to play and understand it. Fortunately, some
software where made in translating Japanese dating sims into English version
like the Babylon Dating Sim Translation one of the popular translator software
that also offers a free download features.
D. Art-Style Development and Adaptation
Artist used many styles in their
paintings and drawings. Every culture has their own art- styles techniques that
developed throughout the world. Some common styles of art are abstract, cubism,
expressionism, fauvism, and different more kinds of art styles developed in
every era. Nowadays, some youth preferred drawing anime based characters in
their papers. Anime characters have better looks than a common comic book.
Through the popularity of anime, other countries started adapting this form of
art in movies, televisions, comic books, and games. According to Brian Ashcraft
called “Do Japanese and Westerner Have Different Tatse in Men? This Game Thinks
So”, an article that talks about an otome game of Japan transformed into
realistic version of art-style, Be My Princess a dating sims call as a “royal
romance” users in transforming of anime style.
“There seems
to be vocal players in the West who prefer the original anime males, but the
change might've been brought on by lackluster sales—perhaps there weren't
enough of these passionate players. These new hunks do show a marked difference
between Japanese and Western aesthetics
(http://kotaku.com/5936134/do-japanese-and-westerners-have-different-taste-in-men-this-game-thinks-so)”.
In conclusion, Western countries begins creating their own
realistic version of dating sims like Be My Princess a dating sims call as a
“royal romance” users in transforming of anime style.
III.
Reasons of Playing Simulation Games
Playing dating simulation games are another form of
entertainment developed from anime. Anime fans are considered to be the most
popular users of dating simulation games. Others are just gamers or people who
have their own reason of playing this type of game and continuously adapted by
other country because of its fandom and unique source of entertainment.
Through the creation of dating
simulation games is also the birth of virtual world. Virtual world is an online
community with interactive 3d or 2d virtual environments, where the users take
form of avatars visible to other. Dating
simulations or dating sims is a new online tendency in the world of online and
romantic dating. Basically, dating sims are online simulation video games where
you create an avatar for yourself and start dating virtual people in the
virtual world. As Lah has discussed in his previous article about “Man Marries Video Game Character Virtual World”:
“Japan's Internet community has witnessed
relationships and marriages to avatars, though it's typically been within the
confines of the virtual world. Last month, Sal decided to be the first
human-to-avatar union. Clad in a white tux, Sal married Nene in front of some
friends and Web users watching the ceremony live online.”
Dating
simulations or dating sims are very popular in the online gaming world because
it moves the dating experience to the virtual world where anything is possible.
There are a lot of reasons why people plays dating simulation games. The most
common reasons and personalities I surveyed form various articles and
interviewed people who plays dating sims are the following:
A. Otaku fanatics or persons who are addicted to animes and mangas who
loved playing dating simulations because of the perfect looks of game
characters as well their personalities. These people who to experience a
romantic relationship with their favourite anime characters.
Generally, this is one of the most common types of people who play
dating sims. They fulfil their love lives with non-existent people, who are
attracted to them because their programming told them to.
IV.
Effects of playing dating simulation
games to the users
Playing dating simulation games also results some effects to
the users. Since there are amazing enthusiasm playing these dating sims, it
already triggered their inner self which may lead to positive or negative effects
of some dating sims users.
A. Positive effects
Art
Not only in anime and
mangas artists are being discovered but also in the creation of fan-made dating
simulation games. As Galbraith has discussed in his previous
article “Dating Simulator Games
Inspire Legion of Followers and Detractors”,he also stated on this article
about the famous artist of otome game. Galbraith said, “Ever since she was a
small child, Chinatsu Kurahana has loved to draw. These days she creates
beautiful anime-style men for popular computer games like “Lamento” and
“Togainu no Chi.” Since she became an established freelance illustrator three
years ago, her characters have won accolades in Japan and abroad. Her anime men
are handsome and wild.”
“I work on dating simulation adventure games for women,” Kurahana says.
“There aren’t many things that make women happy, so I want to make some.”
In addition Galbraith stated the effects of making dating sims, “As
dating simulator games come to the fore of Japan’s media subculture, young
creators are increasingly embracing it as a form of artistic expression. There
were thousands of amateur dating sim artists at the summer Comiket earlier this
month. Some were making smut, others masterpieces, and most something in between.
All of them were sure that it was more than pornography that so compelled them.
With this ready supply of creators in Japan, and the growing demand overseas,
the genre is surely here to stay.”
“Dating simulators show us our dreams,” says Kurahana. “Love is a theme
that has dominated entertainment from the beginning of human history. I just
want to explore new ways of telling the story.”
Business world
Nowadays,
Japan has the high selling rate of various products related in animes, mangas,
and dating simulation games. According to “Man and Money in Akihabara” article by Akira
“Most
prominently, dating sims experienced a huge surge in popularity during the last
year. The massive growth in the dating sim sector can be attributed to two main
factors, one of which is probably immediately obvious to all of you: Love Plus.
In addition, throughout the past three years, there has been a movement towards
developing cellphone-based dating simulators targeted at women, which also
explains market growth (http://behind-the.nihonreview.com/20101029/man-and-money-in-akihabara/).”
In addition, Galbraith said, “Dating sims really took off with the rise
of affordable PCs in the mid-’90s. At the same time, the chronically
underfunded anime industry imploded under demands to produce hit TV series like
“Neon Genesis Evangelion,” a rare bright spot in a recessionary market. Many
young creators switched over to dating sims, which are cheaper to produce, have
a dedicated audience, and are often free of corporate influence.”
For further
information, Beschizza also discussed on her article “Kimiteru Tsuruta on The Increasing Popularity of Dating Sims
Among Japanese Women”, where she
discussed the ratings of dating sims in Japan market.
“The video
game industry has always had a strong male following, but it seems to have
found a way to finally capitalize on female users. The sector based on such
love simulation games grew by 30.4% with 14.6 billion yen ($177.3 million) in
sales in 2011, according to Yano Research Institute.”
Relationship
Dating simulation games have become a source of romantic
relationship. Some users experienced the feeling of being love and source of
happiness. With the perfect personalities and looks of every dating sim
characters boost the chances of falling in love with them. Just like Sal who
marries a dating sim character from the Love Plus game in Nitendo DS named Nene
Anagasaki.
According to Jessica WakemanJapanese
Women Realize Digital Boyfriends Are Easier than Real Life Boyfriends”, “Experts say that having
a relationship with “sims” is much easier for Japanese women than carrying
on a real relationship, as they are very focused on their careers. They can
pull out their smart phone and pay attention to their “relationship” … then put
it away for three weeks and not have to think about it until there’s a spare
moment. As someone who is also intensely focused on her career, I can
understand this (http://www.thefrisky.com/2012-12-17/japanese-women-realize-digital-boyfriends-are-easier-than-real-life-boyfriends/).”
In addition, according to Daisuke Wakabayashi on his
article “Only in Japan, Real Men Go to a Hotel With Virtual
Girlfriends: Dating-Simulation Game a
Last Resort For Honeymoon Town and Its Lonely Guests”, “In Love Plus, a Japanese dating
simulation game, players experience young romance with a virtual girlfriend.
Some have even taken their beloved avatars to an island resort -- a real island
resort. WSJ's Akiko Fujita takes a tour of Atami (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451414209658940.html).”
"There isn't a lot of romance in my life and this helps
me cope with some of the loneliness," said Mr. Fukazawa with a chuckle.
Acquiring skills
Not only achieving a romantic relationship in the gameplay
but also it helped the player to developed their strategic skills in playing
every game where you need to plan and think your every move and click of every
question to achieve the good ending. In the gameplay you need to check the
statistics of your character like the charm, weight, skills, and etc.
According to Manali Oak on her article “Positive Effects of
Video Games”, where she discussed the advantage of playing video games where it
relates also to the advantage of dating simulation games. Manali said, “In
playing video games, you need to manage your resources such as the time, your
armor or your people. This is a virtual activity but it evolves abilities of
resource management and testing. You learn to recognize the types of situations
and react to them with determination. You learn to map the virtual world
scenarios to those in the real world (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/positive-effects-of-video-games.html).”
Not only strategic skills but there are also some people who
used dating sims as a guide in love life to acquire a real life relationship.
B. Negative Effects
Addiction
Some players are now being addicted to dating sims that they
forget that it is just a game and not a real life relationship. Their
lifestyles are being affected. They tend not to balance their time in their
certain responsibilities. Some people spend more hours playing dating sims than
their personal schedules plans.
According to Mary-Lou
Galician on her book,
“Research and Theories of Mass Media Effects on Individuals and Society”,
Galician outlines expert Tennov’s beliefs that “at the obsessive extreme,
‘romantic’ relationships are a form of addiction” and that such obsession with
fictional characters can cause “emotionally disabling attachments filled with
anxiety, fantasy and over-dependence (http://books.google.es/books/about/Sex_Love_and_Romance_in_the_Mass_Media.html?hl=es&id=-hK_8NhV704C).”
In other
words, women who fall in love with fictional characters find it difficult to
establish relationships in real-life, as their expectations are too high and
they place too much dependence and reliance on men.
Antisocial
There are many cases that some persons who play dating sims
lock away themselves to their social life. It was common issue among a lot of
users who plays dating sims. They experience a social anxiety where they
experience self-conscious from other people. Being obsessed in playing dating
sims cause unhealthy life style. It was a fact that playing dating sims needs a
private time that it results forgetting other important human interaction.
For further information,
according also in the article of Lah, he interviewed Hiroshi Ashizaki, an
author who writes about Internet and game addiction, doesn't think Sal 9000 is
an extreme case. What is healthy about Sal is that he can communicate with
people enough to do an interview on CNN and webcast a half-serious wedding,
Ashizaki said.
"There are many
others who can't express themselves like Sal can, and those are the cases we
worry about," says Ashizaki. What's important to note, Ashizaki says, is
that Sal is a representative of many of Japan's young gamers.
"Today's Japanese
youth can't express their true feelings in reality. They can only do it in the
virtual world," Ashizaki said. "It's the reverse of reality that they
can only talk about what they feel to a friend in the virtual world."
Pornography
One common reason why dating sims
genre became popular is through the route of pornography. They provide a way to
meet some important needs when it seems impossible to do so in reality. But it
causes a great disadvantage in our emotional state. According to Dr. Mark Kline on his article “Dating Sims”,
“It can drain your sexual energy and reduce the urgency to find a real partner.
It can also give you some erroneous ideas about how to negotiate romantic
relationships (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/ask-dr-mark/8726-Dating-Sims).”
Therefore,
according to Ishaan on his article “Tokyo Government To Regulate
“Harmful Content” In Anime, Manga And Games”, “In 2009, a legislative amendment that
would prohibit the depiction of any virtual youth appearing to be under the age
of 18 engaging in sexual activity was proposed in Tokyo. As a result of the
language used being vague and open to interpretation, the bill was pushed back
for revision by the Democratic Party of Japan.”
The bill in question, Bill 156, classifies this
harmful content as “Any
manga, animation, or pictures (but not including real life pictures or footage)
that features either sexual or pseudo-sexual acts that would be illegal in real
life, or sexual or pseudo-sexual acts between close relatives whose marriage
would be illegal, where such depictions and / or presentations unjustifiably
glorify or exaggerate the activity (http://www.siliconera.com/2010/12/18/tokyo-government-to-regulate-harmful-content-in-anime-manga-and-games/).”
Relationship
abnormality
Having a relationship from a virtual
character from dating sims are really different having a relationship in real
world. Even if some players stopped playing dating sims and now started with a
real relationship there are some cases that it can affects your relationship
especially if you developed a big connection playing dating sims from pass.
According to Ed
Smith in his article about “The
Time I Was a Social Outcast”, where he discussed the effect of playing a
certain dating game in the past, that cause some problems in his present
relationship. Smith said, “And it was honestly very upsetting. All
joking and levity aside, Seduce
Me is a game that moved me almost to tears, because my total
inability to flirt with the in-game women, and their resulting coldness and
indifference, felt painfully close to my real life. These days, I'm in a
long-term relationship and everything is cool. But at university it was a
nightmare, and Seduce Me dragged
that all back up again (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/features/10139-The-Time-I-Was-a-Social-Outcast).”
Chapter 3
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
This paper attempted to determine the reasons of playing
dating simulation games as substitute for real relationship.
The research gathered
data from different articles and interviews which would be used to fill out the
unanswered question this research has.
It has been done due to the research design used which was the
descriptive research method. The research findings are the following:
1. Through the popularity of anime, dating simulation games
were created to provide otaku and non-otaku fans the other side of having a
romantic relationship with 2d-dimensional characters. Other persons started
using the virtual characters as substitute for a real relationship.
2. As many people increase the desire of playing dating sims
numerous kinds of dating sims were developed with different style of storyboard
not only dealing with a romantic relationship but also violence and erotic
content that made many gamers curious about it and made more interesting appeal
in a lot of users.
3. Being addicted with dating sims, cause some advantages and
disadvantages that has affected some users with their personal life and having
a relationship.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of this study, the following
conclusions are drawn:
1. Some people have dedicated their love lives to the game
characters since there are positive effects to be resulted in such as art,
business, playing skills and relationship.
2. However, there are also needs of limitations when it comes
to playing dating simulation games since there is an unhealthy addiction when
it comes to romantic desires in a 2d character from the game that can be found
negative that affects a person like, Antisocial, Pornographic, and too much
Addiction. Individuals are using these types of games as a virtual replacement of
an actual relationship that they're already moving towards a techno paradise
and losing social skills.
Recommendation
After drawing the conclusions of the study, the researchers
hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:
1. To prevent the negative effects of playing dating
simulation games make sure to be open-minded when it comes on playing dating
simulation games, avoid being drawn to addiction, limit the time of playing it
and finish important the responsibilities, and make sure to think that reality
comes first.
2. Future Researchers who are into this study should research
on the possible effects of playing dating simulation games to a person and
search for solutions in some persons who have problems in plating dating
simulation games. Therefore study the positive and negative effects of dating
simulation games.
References
Davidson, Pete. “Read me: A Fine Romance.” GRE. Web.
n.d.
Shimada, Kana. “Modern Women and Relationships.”
Reuters. Web. 17 Dec. 2012.
Beschizza, Rob. “Kimiteru Tsuruta on the Increasing Popularity of Dating Sims
Among Japanese Women.” Boing Boing. Web. 17 Dec.
Cross, Damian. “Naruto Games Online: Naruto Dating Sims
Game.” Isnare Article. Web. n.d.
<http://www.isnare.com/?aid=486903&ca=Entertainment>
Lah
, Kyung. Man Marries Video Game Character VIRTUAL WORLD. Web. 16 Dec. 2009. <http://articles.cnn.com/2009-12-16/world/japan.virtual.wedding_1_virtual-world-sal-marry?_s=PM:WORLD>
Ashcraft, Brian. Do Japanese and Westerner Have
Different Tatse in Men? This Game Thinks So. Web. n.d.
<http://kotaku.com/5936134/do-japanese-and-westerners-have-different-taste-in-men-this-game-thinks-so>
Wakabayashi, Daisuke. Only in
Japan, Real Men Go to a Hotel With Virtual Girlfriends: Dating-Simulation Game a Last Resort For Honeymoon Town and Its Lonely
Guests. Web. n.d. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451414209658940.html>
Oak, Manali. Positive Effects of Video Games.
Web. n.d. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/positive-effects-of-video-games.html>
Galician,
Mary-Lou. Research and
Theories of Mass Media Effects on Individuals and Society. Web. n.d.
<http://books.google.es/books/about/Sex_Love_and_Romance_in_the_Mass_Media.html?hl=es&id=-hK_8NhV704C>
Akira. Man and Money in Akihabara. Web. 29 Oct. 2010.
Galbraith, Patrick W. Dating
simulator games inspire legion of followers—and detractors. Web. 29 Aug. 2009.
Kline, Mark J. Dating Sims. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.
Ishaan. Tokyo Government To Regulate “Harmful Content” In Anime, Manga And Games.
Web. 18 Dec. 2010.
Wakeman, Jessica. Japanese
Women Realize Digital Boyfriends Are Easier Than Real Life Boyfriends. Web. 17
Dec. 2012.
Researcher’s Conclusion
What are the reasons why many people were motivated to use
dating simulation games as substitute for real relationship?
Collecting various articles about dating simulation games, I
discovered that some people have dedicated their lives in playing dating sims.
Some are falling in love in game characters because they proved that it brought
great satisfaction in experiencing a romantic relationship even if it is just a
virtual girlfriend or boyfriend. But not all users of dating sims are looking
for love experience but some are more intrigued in the gameplay and content of
the game.
Most users are otaku fanatics and especially singles who
don’t have a relationship and use dating sims as substitute for a real
relationship. I found out that the main reason why datig sims are popular,
because of the anime adaptation. Anime is a well-known form of media that are
mostly popular among youths. The perfect looks and personality of anime
characters result in the strong appeal among a lot of people. So, mainly this
was the reason why the transforming of anime into a realistic version dislike
by many users.
Furthermore, there are positive and negative effects in using
dating sims. In nterms of positive effects it greatly stated that playing
dating sims gave a great satisfaction and enjoyment among a lot of users. Gave
a great impact in the economy of Japan’s business industry, as well as other
countries. While in terms of negative effects, the most affected are the users
who developed a bad changes in their emotional and mental state.
Therefore, there are also needs of limitations when it comes
to playing dating simulation games since there is an unhealthy addiction when
it comes to romantic desires in a 2d character from the game.
