Romance changes everything: player engagement with romantic video game content

Abstract

This study investigates the diverse ways that players engage with romantic video game content, addressing a gap in existing player typologies. Drawing on hundreds of hours of gameplay and a decade of online community observation, we extend research on player classification by highlighting a spectrum of romantic player types shaped by distinct motivations, interests, and behaviors. The analysis reveals that romantic engagement is not monolithic. Players can interact with romance emotionally, strategically, incidentally, and spectatorially. External materials, such as guides, mods, and fan-created works, play a significant role in shaping these experiences. By situating romantic gameplay within broader paratextual and community contexts, we demonstrate that romance in games serves multiple functions, from emotional exploration to achievement and narrative support. The findings highlight the need for game designers to consider the complexity of romantic engagement, informing future design and research in video games and interactive media.