Huwebes, Abril 11, 2013

Final Chapter 1 - 3





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:


  1. What are the reasons why many people were motivated to use dating simulation games as substitute for real relationship?
Future Researches: This research can be recommended  for future researchers who are interested in learning this study. Since the beneficial information are given it can be help as a guide for their study.
Next surveys and interviews will be conducted for dating sims players and non-players to ask their opinions about dating simulation games.
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.

 B.  Singles or persons who don’t have a romantic relationship and used dating simulation games as alternative partners  for real life relationship. Due to the fact that some of these persons are afraid of having a relationship, person who are self-conscious with their looks or being unattractive and including gay/lesbians. Some also are persons who are very attractive but might not be successful in love.

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.

 C.  Extreme gamers and looking to play every type of games. Until to the point they started enjoying and liking dating sims. These people started introducing this kind of game with their friends and became also game fanatics.

 D. People who are preparing for love and used dating sims as guide for romantic relationship. Just like the anime series of “The World God Only Knows”, where the male protagonist given a mission of making a certain girl fall in love with him. So, he must use his knowledge of expertise in acquiring girls in dating sims with a real girl.

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 Wakeman on her article “Japanese 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>
Ashcraft, Brian. Do Japanese and Westerner Have Different Tatse in Men? This Game Thinks So. Web. n.d.
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.




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