Dating sim

Dating sims, or romance simulation games (恋愛シミュレーションゲーム, ren'ai shimyurēshon gēmu), are a video game subgenre of simulation games with romantic elements. While dating sims share a similar visual presentation as visual novels, they are distinct genres. Dating sims are largely dependent on statistics, while visual novels focus on telling a branching story.^[1] Nevertheless, the term "dating sim" has become a generic term for romance-driven games (恋愛ゲーム, ren'ai games) in the West.

Dating sims are often dialog-heavy and focus on time management. The player must befriend and carefully build and maintain a relationship with one or more characters.^[2] The gameplay is largely dependent on statistics.^[1] These games also often involve raising stats that reflect the player's skills and can be combined with other genres. Series such as Sakura Wars and Persona combine role-playing game (RPG) gameplay with dating sim gameplay.^[2]

^ ^a ^b Cavallaro, Dani (2010). Anime and the visual novel: narrative structure, design and play at the crossroads of animation and computer games. McFarland & Company. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-0-7864-4427-4. Western audiences sometimes tend, erroneously, to regard visual novels as synonymous with "dating simulations" (or "dating sims"), a videogame subgenre of simulation games.
^ ^a ^b Lebowitz, Josiah (2011). Interactive Storytelling for Video Games: a Player-centered Approach to Creating Memorable Characters and Stories. Klug, Chris. Burlington, MA: Focal Press. pp. 45. ISBN 9780240817187. OCLC 706802880.

[Cavallaro-1] Cavallaro, Dani (2010). Anime and the visual novel: narrative structure, design and play at the crossroads of animation and computer games. McFarland & Company. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-0-7864-4427-4. Western audiences sometimes tend, erroneously, to regard visual novels as synonymous with "dating simulations" (or "dating sims"), a videogame subgenre of simulation games.

[:0-2] Lebowitz, Josiah (2011). Interactive Storytelling for Video Games: a Player-centered Approach to Creating Memorable Characters and Stories. Klug, Chris. Burlington, MA: Focal Press. pp. 45. ISBN 9780240817187. OCLC 706802880.

[1]

[2]