Editing Dating sim (section)

{{Additional citations|date=June 2024}}{{short description|Video game subgenre of simulation games}}
{{VG Simulation}}

'''Dating sims''', also known as '''dating simulation games''', are a [[Video game genres|video game subgenre]] of [[Simulation video game|simulation games]] with romantic elements. While resembling the [[visual novel]] genre in presentation, true dating sims utilize an additional statistical and time management layer in their gameplay. The player is given a specific amount of time on an in-game calendar, while scheduling dates, correctly answering questions, and performing various activities will increase a certain character's attraction to the player until the player gains their love. The additional subgenre of erotic dating sims are a form of [[eroge]], and include sexually graphic cutscenes. The idea that love can only be earned through time and attention has prompted concern that it oversimplifies romance and depicts a "[[nice guy]]" view that may lead to unrealistic expectations from women.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/ratedmformatures0000unse/page/n5/mode/2up |title=Rated M for Mature: Sex and Sexuality in Video Games |date=2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-62892-576-0 |editor-last=Wysocki |editor-first=Matthew |location=New York |pages=234}}</ref>

Dating sims, typically in the form of ''[[bishōjo]]'' games with a male protagonist and female supporting characters, are extremely popular in Japan, taking up a large fraction of the software market, but far less prominent elsewhere.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/beyondbarbiemort0000unse_e9h2/page/n127/mode/2up |title=Beyond Barbie and Mortal Kombat: New Perspectives on Gender and Gaming |date= |publisher=The MIT Press |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-262-11319-9 |editor-last=Kafai |editor-first=Yasmin B. |edition=1st |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts London |pages=101 |editor-last2=Heeter |editor-first2=Carrie |editor-last3=Denner |editor-first3=Jill |editor-last4=Sun |editor-first4=Jennifer Y.}}</ref> In Western gaming media, the "dating sim" label is often given to any game with romanceable characters, regardless of their gameplay. [[Parody|Parodic]] dating sims are a more recent phenomenon, poking fun at the genre by allowing the player to date unusual characters, such as realistic but sentient birds in ''[[Hatoful Boyfriend]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Reece |title='Raptor Boyfriend' Proves Absurd Dating Sims Are Here to Stay |url=https://www.wired.com/story/raptor-boyfriend-absurd-dating-sims-dream-daddy/ |access-date=2025-01-28 |work=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>