Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Dating simulators are a video game sub-genre in which the player’s primary goal is to romantically pursue their favorite love interest through in-game interactions. While some dating sims present situations that encourage heterosexual female players to question, explore, and even accept possible queer identities for themselves, there is little research on what specific game elements foster this exploratory behavior. This project examines player responses and in-game content from two dating sims, Chrono Days Sim Date and Mystic Messenger, to determine which game aspects women found most helpful in encouraging them to question their own sexualities. Out of five key elements emphasized throughout the literature on romance games, this study determined that the literary elements of narration and characterization are the two most significant factors that allow Chrono Days and Mystic Messenger—and perhaps similar dating sims—to foster queer exploration among straight-identifying female players.
Disciplines
English Language and Literature | Game Design | Queer Studies
Publication Date
5-2025
Language
English
Faculty Mentor of Honors Project
Sarah Shelton
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Elliby, Amira, "Why You're Gayhee for Jaehee: How Dating Sims Promote Queer Self-Discovery" (2025). 2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects. 22.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_spring2025/22