Looking ahead to 2025, one title has captured everyone’s attention for its outlandishly intriguing concept: "Date Everything," the first game from Sassy Chap Games. While it may not be the biggest release of the year, its premise is already deemed the most entertaining in gaming, offering players a whimsical twist on the traditional dating simulator.

The game, published by Team17, invites players to don magical eyewear that allows them to embark on a bizarre romantic journey with every animated object in their surroundings. Picture this: you could be wooing your friendly washer and dryer (voiced by David Sobolov and Neil Newbon), your stately grand piano (voiced by Joy Ofodu), or even grappling with your own existential dread (voiced by Sungwon Cho). This unconventional approach to dating is proving to be a conversation starter in a gaming market still recovering from the tumultuous year of 2024.

Founded by a collective of voice actors, Sassy Chap Games is breaking into the gaming industry with a project that’s as ambitious as it is hilarious. I had the unique opportunity to chat with Robbie Daymond, a key member of the development team, during the Anime Frontier convention. Here’s what he shared about the challenges and triumphs of launching "Date Everything" in an unpredictable market.

GamesBeat: How’s the reaction to the launch been so far?

Robbie Daymond: The marketing metrics have been exceptionally wild! As an indie game, we didn’t have a vast budget, so it’s heartening to see most of our buzz came from organic interactions. Our trailer hit around 400,000 views initially, and now we’re hitting millions—thanks to some viral TikToks and Reels. People are really connecting with the concept, which is fantastic!

GamesBeat: What inspired the game’s unique premise?

Daymond: We were brainstorming ways to push the boundaries of dating sims. Games like "Hatoful Boyfriend" and "Monster Prom" paved the way for offbeat dating adventures, so we wondered: What if you could date everything around you? The idea blossomed into creating over 100 quirky characters, ensuring an experience that transcends mere humor.

GamesBeat: Did you have prior game development experience?

Daymond: Nope! This is our debut project. Ray Chase, our game director, always had a passion for game development and drove us to explore the medium. We dove into learning programming, Unity, and everything necessary to bring our vision to life, turning our dream into reality.

GamesBeat: With the current gaming climate, why launch a dating sim now?

Daymond: We believe it's time for a significant dating sim revival. The genre has been dormant for a while, and our take feels fresh and exciting. Plus, it doesn't demand the massive budgets that big RPGs do, making it a strategic move.

GamesBeat: After the game's release, what are you most curious about?

Daymond: I'm eager to see which characters resonate most with players. Our game tracks play data, allowing us to gather insights into players’ preferences and experiences. This will help us build a community where players can share their unique routes—especially since each character has multiple endings!

GamesBeat: Any secrets players should know about?

Daymond: Some characters are especially elusive and will require players to complete quirky in-game tasks to unlock their storylines. Trust me, they’re worth pursuing!

With "Date Everything," Sassy Chap Games is not only redefining the dating sim landscape but is also fostering a community among players eager to share their experiences. As the alternative yet lighthearted game prepares for its release, it promises to deliver a gaming experience like none other in 2025. Will players embrace the chaos of dating inanimate objects? Only time will tell!