Ep. 12: Doki Doki Dream Daddies (Dating Sims w/ Carlos-Zenen Trujillo)

You feeling the love in the air? It's probs because THIS week, we’re joined by playwright, actor, and self-identifying weeb Carlos-Zenen Trujillo (they/them) to dive deep into the world of DATING SIMULATORS! A game genre we've *flirted* with multiple times on the show before that we've now decided to go steady with for a whole episode. We take a look at why these simple, innocuous visual novels resonate so deeply with queer gamers like us, and how the genre has evolved from its heteronormative, trope-y roots into games that are more inclusive, queer-centric and simply a joy to play!

We mostly discuss the genre as a whole, but we also take a close look at two dating sims in particular that subvert & redefine the genre: Dan Salvato's twisted Doki Doki Literature Club, and The Game Grumps' queer smash hit, Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator.

PLUS, in our culture corners, we talk about everything from teen films based on classic literature, K-pop, the Britney Spears doc, Rebecca Black's comeback-era, and so much more!

We hope you fall deeply in love with the 2D anime character of your dreams, or at least enjoy us talking about ours!

Find our guest Carlos on Twitter @caroluscubanus and Instagram @carlosdeservesadrink
Catch them in Seattle Shakespeare's Romeo y Julieta by Ana María Campoy, touring virtually this spring!

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Eric Solis:
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Laurence Turner-Cordova:
Instagram @afroman76
Twitter @afroman76 

Intro and outro music by Connor Marsh (@connorjmarshmallow)
Show art by Nick Adams (@stickartams)

MUSIC THIS WEEK:
"Doki Doki Literature Club!" by Dan Salvato
"Dream Daddy" Performed by Baths, Written by Will Wiesenfield
'Poems Are Forever" by Shoji

***SUPPORT BLACK & QUEER GAME DEVELOPERS***
Check out ValiDate: Struggling Singles in Your Area an upcoming romantic visual novel featuring a cast of BIPOC protagonists. Donate to their Ko-Fi to support them directly!