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Dating Simulation Games as Substitute for a Romantic Relationship

Tentative Outline:

I. Definition of Dating Sims

II. Reasons for Playing Dating Simulation Games

III. Effects of Playing Dating Simulation Games

      A. Positive Effects

           - Technology

           - Entertainment

           - Relationship

           - Anime Adaptation

       B. Negative Effect

           - Pornography

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

What motivates a person to use dating simulation games as substitutes in real relationship?

Post 3: Differences About Dating Sims and Visual Novel

What are the differences of visual novels from dating simulation games? I’ve been questioning myself about this topic since, I started researching about the articles in dating games. The terms “visual novels” and “dating sims” are used somewhat interchangeably. I can’t longer understand the meaning of these two words. For me visual novels are more in story telling while dating sims are more in questioning.

For further understanding, about the differences of visual novels and dating simulation games or misconception of their meanings, I read an article by Mikoto titled “Visual Novels Vs. Dating SimulationGames”, lots of important information and difference throughout topics discussed on this article.

According to this article, visual novels and dating sims has the same aspects of choosing the path of every non-playable characters of a specific gender and the right methods to achieved the every end of character. It states also that some dating sims are always have to be in dating while visual novels are not just about romance but also consist of different heroines in the game-play.

Pornography on visual novels and dating sims are one also of the misconception to the public. And it an idea to them that visual novels = perverted dating sims. Along this information, it assumes also that dating games, anime, and mangas consist of erotic topics but, not all media related information are correct. Some dating games and visual novels are also into field of comedy and simple romance.

Lastly, according also to these articles it differentiates the idea of the game-play of dating sims from visual novels. Dating sims are more in application of player’s ability to lead his/her protagonist through the gameplay, while the visual novels are more on images and reading of the content just like reading mangas, novels or watching an anime with a background music that provides life in the gameplay.

In general, visual novels often involve romantic and/or sexual relationships as a key part of their narrative and dating sims involve a lot of reading text and making choices but 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.

Post 2: Love in Virtual World

“First best is falling in love. Second best is being in love. Least best is falling out of love. But any of it is better than never having been in love.” 

― Maya Angelou

We know falling in love is a wonderful and crazy feeling that’s worth experiencing at least once in our lives. When you know you are falling in love, the way you look at the world and experience life can change in a moment. You felt your heartbeat is going burst when you see your crush. Your mind is going wild, you can’t think what should you do or say in front of him. You act like good girl or wear impressing outfit to capture his attention. And, having a relationship has also up and downs, or modern term “cool and off” relationship. But we also know, falling in love or having a relationship gave us happiness, inspiration, hope, and many more meanings that brought colour in our life, all of it because of love.

Now days, people are finding love in different ways than they did the year’s past. Dating simulation games is a reality today. As I searched for an article about people who fall in love in dating sims characters, I came acrossed about the article by Julian Ryall called “Japanese Man 'Marries' Computer Game Character”, an article which announced about a man named Sal married a video game character from extreme dating sim Love Plus.

"As long as the two of us can go on to create a happy household, I'm sure any misgivings about us will be resolved."

Love Plus: Nene Anegasaki

With Nene Anegasaki a game character, Sal doesn’t feel the need to find a human girlfriend. And according to 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.

Today’s youth there are many others who can't express themselves. They can only do it in the virtual world. It's the reverse of reality that they can only talk about what they feel to a friend in the virtual world.

In general, the power of love has no bounds even it’s in virtual world. It’s about how you look forward, being together with your soul mate.

Post 1: Searching for LOVE?

Are you falling in love with your favorite anime character? Do you want to experience some kind of romantic relationship with him? Well, it’s a dream come true! Stop now daydreaming and enter now the world of OTOME GAMES!

Before I started playing otome games, I started liking anime a well-known media loved by many fans. In anime there is a lot of beautiful boy characters that I can’t avoid crushing them. So I wondered if there is some kind of game that you can date, talk, and share wonderful moments with them. Fortunately my prayers are answered when a friend of mine introduce to me a certain game called Hatoful Boyfriend. The characters there are different kinds pigeon birds but also shows there human form after every introduction of characters. With those hot guys I got obsessed playing until finishing it. After trying that game I looked for more other otome games and I realized otome games are not just about dating. But also running a country or saving the world at the same time! Princesses, ninjas, wizards, ballerinas, sports stars, for short otome heroines can be anything.

Hatufol Boyfriend

As I searched for the meaning of otome games, I came a crossed an article in MyAnimelist that otome games are for female and actually in the form of visual novel like dating simulation games. The user controls the main female character as she pursues a romantic relationship with one of the main male characters.

In my own idea otome games is my stress killer for all the busy works as a college student. I just play it and immediately get in love with those otome game characters. And precisely, falling in love is one also of the major reason I played dating simultation games. For me the benefactors in playing otome games are the singles and women being busy with their works who want to experience a romantic relationship even it’s in the virtual world.

While searching for the articles about of using otome games, I came across an article by Ida Torres called “Love Games’ Fascinate Japanese Women with Smartphones”, an article which explains the relationship of women in dating game characters as substitutes in real life relationship.

”Romance novels may soon be replaced in the hearts of Japanese women as a source of romantic fantasy. “Love games” or role-playing games that can be played on smartphones are gaining immense popularity among the working single women in their 30s demographic who are too busy to search for but are hoping for Mr. Right.”

Overall, playing otome games are enjoyable and addicting. And another information about  this article also, according to Kana Shimada, a novelist who wrote about modern women states that otome games, which are played in smart phones, are especially popular with working single women in their 30’s who feel they don’t have the time or energy for a real relationship. So even if is just a virtual boyfriend from a game then you can enjoy him whenever you want.