Visual novels (VNs) are video games that allow the player to influence the story through dialogue choices and a sometimes complex plot. They’re often based on fandoms, including anime and manga, and can be romantic, known as otome games or dating sims; or sexual, called hentai.
Smaller independent developers, unlike mainstream games which have taken a long time to adopt the pronouns they/them/they, have created a number of queer visual novel. These titles are more accessible than bigger studio games and can be as entertaining and resonant as anything else in gaming.
Gay games visual novels
Since years, visual novels (VNs), a genre of games developed by LGBTQ game developers, have allowed them to tell their stories. This genre has something for everyone, from sexy VNs like yuri to eldritch terror. These games offer gamers a sense that mainstream video games may lack.
In many of these games, players can choose a gender, sexuality and appearance for their character. Although the options are limited in comparison to ChoiceScript games, it gives players a chance for a more intimate interaction with their characters. This allows for greater empathy between the player and their character and can make the experience more relatable to LGBTQ gamers.
This is important, especially when it comes gay games. These games often address themes like coming out and homosexuality that are not covered in mainstream videogames. While there are some notable exceptions, such as Bioware’s recent announcement of a LGBTQ romance in the upcoming Star Wars Battlefront II, for every gay or queer relationship in a mainstream video game, there is ten in a VN.
VNs provide a fantastic medium for delivering authentic content. The popularity of the games shows there is a need for more LGBTQ games. With a growing audience, there are sure to be more LGBTQ games in the future and more VNs that allow gamers to connect with their characters on a deeper level.
Gay game visual novels
Many queer creators create visual novels to tell stories of their own, even if it wasn’t the original intention. It’s not clear if they do this because they believe that games developed by, or for LGBTQIA+ folks are too confined to one genre, or if they choose them because they are simpler and cheaper.
The games are more accessible to players. Unlike most video games, they often don’t require voice acting and allow players to read dialogue instead of listening to it. In addition, they are often less expensive to produce than other types of games and more compatible with different platforms.
Visual novel games can also be used for educational purposes, but they are more commonly known for their depictions of sexually explicit imagery, a type of game that is called eroge in Japan. Scenes showing genitalia are typically censored in Japanese releases, but can become uncensored when the games are licensed for sale outside of the country.
Some of these games may be marketed to a gay audience but there are also some for non-LGBTQIA+ players. The upcoming superhero visual novel Superfighters from Schell Games, for example, has an all-LGBTQIA+ cast and allows players to form both romance and platonic relationships with the characters.
Visual novels gay game
Visual novels are a good way for solo developers and small teams to break into the game industry. It’s easier to create games with the stripped-down character art and dialogue of visual novels.
It is especially true for LGBTQIA+-themed games. Because they are more comfortable with this format, queer developers tend to create visual novel games. They can also address sensitive topics that other developers might find difficult to discuss.
Butterfly Soup, for example, is a YA romcom about two queer Asian girls who fall in love. It’s a YA rom-com that deals with PTSD, relationships and mental health in a way more accessible than other titles. Sentimental Trickster – a drama-heavy slice of life visual novel for boys that follows Haru’s journey to overcome trauma and build new relationships – is a good example.
This accessibility and a feeling of comfort with the format are probably what led to the proliferation of LGBT visual novels in the first place. Many of these games are based on fandoms, otome cultures or other pre-existing works such as anime or manga. These games, sometimes called dojinshi, are created by fans of the franchises or genres they are based on. Some are romance or dating sims, while others are sexy or erotic and known as eroge.
Visual novels gay games
Visual novels are an unusual genre of video games. Visual novels often deal with topics that mainstream video games avoid, such as romance and friendship. They can also feature LGBTQIA characters and relationships.
In the 2017 gay dating sim Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator players can choose a cisgender man or woman protagonist. There are also multiple bisexual options for romance. A lesbian character is also available, as well as a panromantic girl and a deaf/mute boy.
Moreover, these types of stories allow queer game developers to tell messy LGBTQIA narratives that aren’t afraid to show the struggles that LGBTQIA people face. It can help gamers understand LGBTQIA and how even the “lovey dovey” games have a darker side.
Despite the aforementioned challenges, there is hope. LGBTQIA-inclusive games are becoming more prevalent than ever before, and it’s important to support them by playing them, sharing them with others, and supporting the game developers who make them. As the gaming industry grows, we can hope that larger studios are inspired by independent voices to look for new ways to incorporate diverse perspectives into their titles. Now, we can continue supporting these creators and get excited about their gay-themed games by making lots of noise.
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