The beginning of the video game industry was marked by simplicity, with early games like Nim, Oxo, Tennis for Two, and Spacewar being little more than a handful of pixels on a small screen. These first video games may have been basic, but they opened the doors to something much bigger than anyone could have imagined at the time. As the industry grew, it began to explore different themes, including love, which became a popular topic in many games.
Over time, the concept of love in video games evolved, with early examples like Night Life, an erotic video game released in 1982, and Ghost’n Goblins, which gave value to the romantic subplot in a parodic tone. The first games in the Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda series also featured romantic storylines, with the community itself often creating its own interpretations of the relationships between characters.
Love in video games between layers and swords
The introduction of new consoles like the Mega Drive, Nes, and Neo-Geo in the fourth generation of gaming marked a significant shift in the way love was portrayed in games. Games like Chrono Trigger featured more complex romantic storylines, and the community began to see love as a central theme in many games. The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario series continued to influence the industry, with their romantic storylines becoming more nuanced and complex.
The fifth generation of gaming saw the introduction of consoles like the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and N64, which allowed for more complex game development. This led to the creation of games like Tokimeki Memorial, a series of visual novels in dating simulator format, where romance was the exclusive protagonist. The Final Fantasy series also explored complex romantic storylines, including love triangles and tragic love stories.
A new generation with more resources
The evolution of love in video games continued with the introduction of new consoles and technologies. Games like The Sims, launched in 2000, explored human psychology and allowed players to control romantic relationships. Other games, like Max Payne and Kingdom Hearts, featured complex romantic storylines, including antagonistic romances and tragic love stories.
Romance, more than a complement to a history of princesses and gentlemen
The industry began to break away from the traditional “princess in trouble” trope, with games like Toaplan’s Snow Bros, which introduced a role-reversal where the princesses had to save their respective gentlemen. This shift marked a significant change in the way love was portrayed in games, with more focus on complex relationships and character development.
The 2000s saw a surge in games that explored romantic relationships in a more nuanced way. Games like Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Halo, Red Dead Redemption, Yakuza, and The Witcher featured complex love stories, and the industry began to release itself from the chains that limited its options. The history of the princess and the gentleman had expired, and now more things could be done.
The industry showed us that love is not exclusive to a gentleman and a princess, and that there was plenty of space for romance in all its forms. Games like Life is Strange, The Last of Us Part 2, and It Takes Two have continued to explore complex romantic relationships, and the industry has made it clear that love in video games goes far beyond the princess in trouble.