The gaming community often get criticized for insensitivity that borders on downright prejudice, which makes the success of 'Dream Daddy' all the more inspiring. The game follows a single dad whose "goal is to meet and romance other hot Dads [sic]" according to its description on Steam, and the dating simulation game is currently at the top of the online game marketplace's global sales chart.
Dream Daddy is a narrative-based dating game in which the player is a recent single dad with a teenage daughter. After moving to a new town, he meets and dates other dads who live nearby, giving the player options for where to go, what to do, and which dad puns to make. Though Dream Daddy is a humor game first and foremost, it's also a sincere look at queer culture.
Queer Dating Simulators
'Dream Daddy' is a Hugely Popular Dating Sim Game
Trend Themes
1. Queer Gaming - Opportunity for game developers to create more games centered around queer culture and LGBTQ+ identities
2. Narrative-based Gaming - Opportunity to expand the world of narrative-based gaming into new genres like dating simulators
3. Inclusive Game Development - Opportunity for game developers to promote inclusive game design and representation in the gaming industry
Industry Implications
1. Gaming - Gaming industry can create more LGBTQ+ representation and increase sales by targeting diverse audiences
2. Entertainment - Inclusive dating simulators open up opportunities for the entertainment industry to tell diverse stories
3. Technology - Inclusive game development can lead to advancements in technology by incorporating diverse perspectives into design and storytelling