I am currently writing six possible dates for a fake dating app called Tender. Not all conversations go well, but some of them are good. I have an appointment with Jessie, a 37-year-old lion-like creature who hates yellow starbursts. (I happen to like her.) I also chat to Willa, a humanoid ox (?) With lots of piercings and a broken horn, as well as Jackie, a punk mouse who just revealed to me – after days of talking – that she is Has a partner who doesn’t know she’s on the tender.
Tender: comfort for creatures, A mobile narrative game by Gideon Lazarus, Jie En Lee, and Kenny Sun is basically similar to Tinder, the real-life dating app. (I felt the need to tell my own partner that I was playing a game that contained a fake Tinder-style app, so it doesn’t look like it I am the stray.)
After I’ve set up a profile (which asks about the important text style – I usually use all lowercase letters and prefer “hahahah” over “rofl” among other things) I can start swiping left and right characters worth galaxies with different motivations. These potential dates are actually not other players. They are characters created by the development team.
If I match up with someone who feels random, we can message each other Tendercreative dialogue system. There are several ways to answer texts that I select and then “type” on a keyboard as if I were writing them myself. Whichever answer I choose – usually from three options – will appear in my chosen text style.
Image: Gideon Lazarus, Jie En Lee and Kenny Sun.
The mechanics are simple, but similar to Annapurna Interactive’s, it feels clever and effective Florence. in the FlorenceFinger movements and mechanics (like physically moving puzzle pieces to mimic easy or difficult conversations) evoke the nature of the relationship while they are in the relationship TenderThe mechanics are literal: I take actions that mimic SMS.
Conversations flow in and out for days; Tender is not a game that I can play in one sitting. I have given Tender The ability to send push notifications to my phone and also by pinging them when I match a potential date or when they sent me a message. Just as I was writing this, Ben, a trousers-wearing frog walking a Doberman pinscher, was right with me – I texted him for more photos of the dog. (He said he will send me more but hasn’t done so yet. Rude.)
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Image: Gideon Lazarus, Jie En Lee and Kenny Sun.
TenderThe gameplay consists of these conversations being conducted over text. Sometimes they result in a date that is saved in the app in real time, and sometimes it doesn’t go that well and I become unmatched. For example, a potential date didn’t reach me after I found out I was a Scorpio. (I see.) If a conversation hits that date, you need to schedule it for later. Each date is shown as a black and white text adventure and you need to be on time. The date plays in the text and I can choose actions and text from a few options. If it goes well, there can be a second appointment.
In fact, in 15 minutes, I’ll have a date with Remy, a bird creature who likes memes. We’re going to cook a meal together – I’ll bring the garlic and onions.
I haven’t found love yet Tender, But I enjoyed the experience a lot more than I enjoyed indeed Online dating. The narrative feels unique but also effortless, and I get to know these characters in a way that is similar to real life. I also like that it feels personal to me – that no one else is going to have the experience Tender that i have. Of course that can’t be true; There can be some narrative beats that happen regardless of who swipes left or right. The small bites and timing makes a lot of sense, but it’s also not as overwhelming as a push notifications game can be at times. I don’t get annoyed when I see my phone light up with a notification from Tender. I’m more curious to see who’s on the other end of the line.
