How to create your dating sim!

We recommend following this template as closely as possible to give yourself the best chance for success!

Jump to your needed section!

👉  Basic requirements for you game.

👉  Structure for your episode 1

👉  Using a points system

👉 Writing Premium Choices

Basic Requirements

Your dating sim should have the following minimum requirements. We’ll go into some of these with more detail later.

At least 3 love interests with distinct personalities and looks.

• They should be easy to visually differentiate. Consider using archetypes to make your characters stand out from each other and easy to digest. Since your fans will be romancing these characters, consider who your fans are and what would appeal to them. Try referencing popular characters with your design!
• They should have distinct voices, interests, tastes, likes, and dislikes. Consider how you can make them feel like different people that can appeal to different tastes (for example, you might want to include a bad boy and a straight edge character).
• Consider designing for cosplay. If cosplayers pick up your project, more fans can discover you!

A narrative structure that allows fans to engage with all love interests and sets a clear goal.

• This is why you often want some kind of framing conceit that explains why you might romance multiple people. For example, Rose Magpie’s Shark Bait tells the player they are poised to be sacrificed and must get one of four shark deities to save them. The player feels comfortable pursuing these love interests without loyalty to one or the other.
• Make sure the player will know what they’re doing from the first taps of your game! Your plot goal should be in line with your romance goal. Using Shark Bait as an example, you want to get closer to the sharks not just because you’re romantically interested – but also because you need their “affection points” literally to save your life!

Plan for a points system. Use choice memory to make your romances feel like strategy gameplay and this will boost your monetization!

• Players receive points when they do things that please the love interests. They gain more points while playing premium outcomes.
  • These points are then used to unlock exclusive scenes and ideal endings.
  • This makes fans more engaged with choices, and creates longterm value for unlocking premium content. This will definitely increase your monetization results!
    • Make sure you try our templates for visualization of points & tutorials!

Use a transparent main character or create the option in game.

• Current trends on Dorian indicate that fans like for a game’s default to be transparent MC with no assumption of gender, race, or identity. This allows anyone to self insert into the game.

Be mindful of narration! Let your dreamy love interests lead the way.

• If you’re designing something with a fantasy or genre world (and we think you should!) keep in mind that you’ll want to unfold the worldbuilding slowly. You want to lure your fans into the universe.
• Instead, lead with your characters and let them slowly teach the player about the world through dialogue!