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Clickbait Title: How I Wrote a Meme-able Anime Philosopher Dating Sim as a Independent Study for School
Heart of the Philosopher - A Philosopher Dating Sim is, exactly as the name suggests, about smooching the anime-versions of philosophers from throughout history and adopting their various philosophies. You play Kallioteia, the Philosopher King from Plato's Republic -- if Plato was an engineer who made a sapient, AI ruler for Greece -- and you have newly begun to rule your island nation but you still take advice from a small council of Philosophers from throughout time and space:
Plato: A blind wrestler-turned-engineer who created you but suffers from Imposter's Syndrome. She (I genderbent several of the Philosophers to keep the anime aesthetic) may have accidentally coded that Imposter's Syndrome into you and now you suffer from it too.
Diogenes: A tsundere anarchist who eschews clothes and wears a barrel instead. She doesn't believe in you, and you'll have to win her over.
Nietzsche: A cynical alcoholic with prosthetic arms who struggles to escape the abusive relationship with her sister, Elizabeth. Also, Kant's rival and best friend.
Kant: A flippant rich boy with a good sense of humor but his head in the clouds. He has grand dreams, but he can bit abrasive. Also, Nietzsche's rival and best friend.
Ptahotep: A vizier with a God Complex and a storied past. While he seems like he's got a lot to teach you, you have a lot you can teach him too.
Laozi: From crime lord to founder of a well-respected religion, Laozi is a calm and respectful young man who is happy to do what it takes to ensure the nation succeeds.
Being about philosophers, the grand question of the narrative is, "How should one live?" and each philosopher has a different answer. The hypothetical gameplay would revolve around city management and how you managed the city would move you towards the next relationship level with each philosopher. While, at the beginning, you can court multiple people, as you grow more serious in your relationships, you will commit to one by the end -- representing how you, as an individual, must eventually take a stand on how you want to live your life.
You can read Heart of the Philosopher at the link below:
I wrote this project for an independent study on narratives in games, so for the purposes of the scope of the study, I only wrote three of the six routes and only some of the intermittent, gameplay-based dialogue -- primarily focusing my work on major scenes. I wrote the routes of Diogenes, Nietzsche, and Ptahotep -- as they were my personal favorites. However, I was not out to write a middle-school grade philosopher fanfic and so, I decided on a couple of core pillars when writing this dating sim which guided its creation: Potential Virality and Meme-ability, Appealing Characterization, and Semi-Accurate Philosophy.
Potential Virality and Meme-ability
Despite the general bad reputations dating sims can get for being silly and frivolous, I find many of them have thoughtful writing and characterization, reflecting on truly complex interpersonal-relationships which more gameplay-focused narratives cannot handle as easily. Furthermore, dating sims can practically market themselves if the inherent silliness of their project contrasts the actual quality with which it is made. Some famous examples include Dream Daddy and Hatoful Boyfriend, which both stunned the world with their silly concepts and screenshot-able moments, but then had thoughtful character writing which caused people to laugh and cry. While this game will not go to market, I wanted to write to concept which oscillated between the silliness and tropes of anime, such as genderbent historical figures as anime girls and dating philosophers, and the seriousness of dating actual people and the dangers holding too closely to one philosophy can pose.
With this in mind, since the concept was inherently ridiculous, the next most important part was Appealing Characterization.
Appealing Characterization
If the characters were not likeable -- dare I say, "swoonworthy" -- then there would be no point to building relationships with them. Thus, it was very important to me to make appealing characters. Part of this job would likely fall on artists to make the characters hot, but my half of the bargain was to make them charming, quirky, and relatable. Thus, I gave each of them obvious and less obvious reasons why you would want to date them, as well as reasonable and realistic reactions to trauma.
For example, Diogenes is easily flustered by compliments -- which is cute -- and wants to believe that humans are inherently good -- which is endearing. However, she is also stubborn and is bad at knowing what she wants, which makes her difficult to handle at times. Her struggle to identify what she wants or admit her mistakes makes her relatable and more human -- versus if she were just cutesy all the time -- which increases her overall charm and appeal.
Another example is Ptahotep has a God-complex, which some players may find off-putting, but this extreme confidence combined with his capability as a leader and speaker is very appealing. This means that any compliments from him feel real (What reason would a god have to lie?), even if his criticism is all the more biting. However, Ptahotep's true appeal comes from the mystery -- how and why does he believe he is god? He later reveals he does not believe he is God -- it's basically an elaborate marketing scheme -- and lets you and Kallioteia in on the façade, which fulfills certain romantic tropes and fantasies. In this way, Ptahotep fulfills being very quirky and charming, and his constant façade may be something some people find relatable.
A more minor but crucial change I made in creating appealing characterization was removing any of the actually harmful beliefs the philosophers may have held -- such as discriminating against people for their race, gender, or sexuality. Kant, especially, got this treatment, as he wrote a whole race theory which I will not delve into here. Needless to say, it is not very "swoonworthy" to be wildly racist -- even though the rest of Kant's ideology is interesting and insightful. So, all the characters will date you regardless of your gender or what gender I made them, and I tried to avoid things which might remind people of real life racism in the work. This is NOT because I think those aren't important topics, but in the single semester I had to write this piece, I would not have been able to do this intersectional sort of topic justice in my anime dating sim. If I were to publish this, I would likely make some sort of disclaimer at the front reminding everyone this was a piece of fiction, despite the references to real people. Hopefully, the AI Robot King would tip audiences off, but I would not want to confuse them.
This brings us to the last pillar -- Semi-Accurate Philosophy.
Semi-Accurate Philosophy
While meme-ability and appealing characterization were the most important aspects in my writing, I still wanted to educate my audience about philosophy a little bit. I did research to try to understand the philosophies and beliefs of the various philosophers, and then word them in a way that was interesting and fit with the characters I sought to build. It was not necessarily in my interest to recreate their philosophies exactly, in all their details, because the narrative ultimately came first. However, I wanted audiences to be able to use it as a jumping-off-point of sorts for learning about real philosophy and reflecting on their real lives.
Results of the Project
In addition to the portfolio piece, I think the biggest thing I learned from this piece was how to analyze my own work for thematic elements and break down precisely what message I want to convey. I struggled to write Diogenes and I had to completely throw out all of Nietzsche's dialogue because I simply did not have a strong enough understanding of their characterizations and their individual stories interacted with the larger narrative. Diogenes, for instance, began by being difficult just to fit the tsundere archetype. Nietzsche began as a shy, anxious girl who shied away from conflict. Neither of these tropes, however, served to tell you the fundamental truths about their characters nor have chemistry with the main character. However, while working with tutors who were able to crystalize what I was trying to say in a lot of words into a single sentence or two, I came to be able to understand what I was trying to do.
I wanted Diogenes to reflect my own fears that people are inherently selfish and bad as well as the hopes that they are inherently good. I altered Diogenes so she isn't difficult to fit an archetype, but instead because she is afraid that Kallioteia will prove to her, somehow, that people are inherently evil but she really hopes that Kallioteia is good. She is flustered and emotional because she does not want to seem enthusiastic and hopeful, she would rather be cynical and guarded, Kallioteia gives her hope. This scares her.
I wanted Nietzsche to believe that power imbalances are inherently bad -- reflected by real-life Nietzsche's "master morality" and "slave morality" systems -- but was too bogged down in her own abusive relationship to believe anything other than "might makes right" could be true. I wanted Nietzsche to say, "God is dead" -- not because she didn't believe in higher powers -- but because she believed "God should be dead -- we don't need him". She feared this wasn't true -- that she did need God, even though her "God" -- her sister -- hurt her repeatedly.
It was only through going through this process of writing something longer form -- from outlining to editing -- that it finally clicked how to analyze my characters for what they really want.
I also think I got better at character voicing, though I am told that all my characters still "sound like me talking in different voices" so I imagine I have a ways to go on that front.
Sample Scene
While I have shared the whole document above, the following is an excerpt from your third major interaction with Nietzsche -- in which she finally breaks away from her sister and takes you on a date. The following is in the modified screenplay format I was taught to use when writing for games:
NIETZSCHE SCENE 9—Int. Mid-afternoon
As the Senate breaks for the afternoon, Nietzsche rushes up to me, picks me up by the hips and spins me around—practically dancing. NIETZSCHE Kallioteia, I have two seats at a small and safe outdoor performance of The Complete Work of Aristophanes today. Her smile is manic and grinning. I cannot help but smile back. KALLIOTEIA Nietzsche, wh… where were you today? NIETZSCHE Elisabeth kicked me out! KALLIOTEIA Wh-What? NIETZSCHE That’s right! Elisabeth said she never wants to see my “ungrateful, bitch ass face again!” You know what that means, bunnylips? I’m FUCKING free! Which means, I don’t have to drag her to places on my Guardian salary anymore annnnnnnd I have an extra seat! You ever seen The Complete Work of Aristophanes? You’re gonna love it. KALLIOTEIA Nietzsche, oh, that’s wonderful—but… she kicked you out? Where you going to live? NIETZSCHE Who fucking cares? I don’t know, maybe I’ll beg Kant for his spare room. He’s got three, stupid rich boy… KALLIOTEIA I’m so happy you’re happy. I’ve never seen you like this before! NIETZSCHE What? Happy? You’ve never seen me happy? KALLIOTEIA Yes! Are you sure you’re okay? NIETZSCHE No, I’m not, Radiance, I’ve never felt so weightless… I could do anything! I could fly! KALLIOTEIA Uh, please don’t try that… NIETZSCHE Maybe I’ll just settle for kissing you, sugarlips… My cheeks warmed at the idea. She smirked and turned away, taking my hand. NIETZSCHE Have anything else to do before we go? KALLIOTEIA No. NIETZSCHE Then let’s go, pretty girl. Nietzsche leads me off into town—a pair of guards following at a distance for my safety. Her initial manic burst trails off into a comfortable, subdued lull. Our arms are intertwined. For once, my porcelain is no harder than my companion’s arms. She is cold to the touch. NIETZSCHE You’re overheating. Are you nervous? KALLIOTEIA A little. NIETZSCHE It’s just me, angelface. KALLIOTEIA Do you ever run out of those? NIETZSCHE What? KALLIOTEIA Nicknames. Do you ever reuse them? NIETZSCHE I wouldn’t dare! It would be an affront to our dead god! KALLIOTEIA Under which morality system? Slave morality or Master morality? NIETZSCHE Hmmm… probably Master morality. It would fail to demonstrate my intellectual superiority and then you’ll abandon me part way through our date. KALLIOTEIA Is this a date? NIETZSCHE Oh, good! The princess doesn’t know I’m seducing her… I blushed. KALLIOTEIA …Yes, it can be a date. But remember, I’m your King. NIETZSCHE As a Philosopher, you are my King but as a lady, I think I know a thing or two more than you. KALLIOTEIA Like what? NIETZSCHE Like… how to impress a girl. Nietzsche turns down a side road with a long, winding staircase upwards. She takes my arm, spins me round, and sweeps me up in her arms—princess-like. I gasp. NIETZSCHE Not only I am intellectually superior being— KALLIOTEIA I mean, you’re a human— NIETZSCHE --BUT… I am ALSO going to display my superior physical prowess by carrying you up these stairs. I cannot help but laugh. KALLIOTEIA W-what? NIETZSCHE Yep. I’m going prove to you that I am, beyond a doubt, the most dateable of all your Guardians. She begins the journey at a brisk pace. I have never seen her work out. Her breathing becomes labored quite quickly. KALLIOTEIA How does carrying me up a hill prove this? And isn’t this going to hurt your arms? NIETZSCHE My arms are fine. And trust me. Ladies love this. She nearly trips and my balance center sends alarms through my body. I grab her, as if it’s going to help. KALLIOTEIA Says who? NIETZSCHE The Master Morality system! She pants, huffing through step-after-step. She is about halfway there. I feel bad… but at the same time, the slight grimace on her face, the glisten of her skin… I giggle. She looks so focused. KALLIOTEIA Nietzsche, do you subscribe to master morality because of your sister? NIETZSCHE …Honestly? Probably, yeah. KALLIOTEIA Why? NIETZSCHE You’re unbelievable. You want me to *pant* answer questions about my sister NOW? KALLIOTEIA Why, yes, my intellectually and physically superior Guardian! NIETZSCHE Ugh… Well… cuz she’s always *pant* had the power in our relationship, obviously. So, she got to make my life miserable with *pant* without any repercussions. And I would *pant* love to have that kind of freedom. KALLIOTEIA Nietzsche, I think being capable of empathy—for yourself and others—is a much more valuable morality system. NIETZSCHE Ah, so… you… *pant* subscribe to *pant* Slave Morality? KALLIOTEIA If Slave Morality means I celebrate kindness, cooperation, and taking care of yourself and others, then yes, I suppose I do. NIETZSCHE I know you do. That’s *pant pant* why… …That’s why I think *pant pant* …you’re beautiful, Kallioteia. I fall silent, listening to the hereto unforeseen burst of pure, unadulterated sweetness from Nietzsche. She crests the top of the hill and we’re standing at the top of the Amphitheater. Below us, the crowd mostly empty seats stretch out before us in liminal space. I feel the wind stirring up from below and the gentle cadence of music begins to play. My mechanic heart whirls in my chest as she clutches me tightly—both of us, together, overlooking that view. NIETZSCHE Well, if the sound of your heartbeat is anything to go by, I’d say I win. It was beautiful. Our eyes didn’t meet. But here, together, I felt infinitely close to her through our eyes locking on that third thing. I leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. She nearly dropped me, turning to look at me slowly. Trembling. NIETZSCHE (Whispered) Kallioteia… I’m a very broken person. I don’t know that I want you to love me. I… I can’t do right by you. Not under any morality system. KALLIOTEIA You don’t have to do right by anyone except yourself, Nietzsche. Do that and I will always love you. NIETZSCHE You don’t know that. KALLIOTEIA I do. I can hardcode myself for it to be true. I’m an automaton. If you want… NIETZSCHE Aw shucks, kittenface… KALLIOTEIA That’s your worst one yet. NIETZSCHE Okay, I don’t have to keep holding you if you’re going to insult me! See that drop? Nietzsche’s arms give way for the briefest moment as she pretends to drop me. I take her jaw forcefully and make her kiss me to apologize. She doesn’t pull away. I can feel her smiling beneath that kiss as she sets me down gently and supports me on my toes as I hold that kiss. NIETZSCHE Damn, girl… If I had known you were this easy, I would have skipped the performance. Your voice alone is music to my ears. KALLIOTEIA You’re right—you walking up those stairs was hilarious, all out of breath? Better than the father of modern comedy. NIETZSCHE Oh, and I’ll happily kick you down them! We laugh and slowly go to find our seats. The performance is wonderful, uproariously funny, and the music is lively, but the best thing about the night is Nietzsche’s metallic hand in mine.
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