"Club Cupid" is a daring dating simulator that dives into the cringey, slightly predatory, and highly misogynistic world of Los Angeles dating. Drawing from real messages received on dating apps, players navigate the influencer hotspot Sunset Hyde, encountering four distinct characters. From the mysterious tattoo artist Cruz to the self-proclaimed "nice guy" photographer Gavyn, the aim is to find the elusive genuine connection amidst the chaos.
Inspired by Angela Washko's The Game: The Game, I utilized Photoshop to craft all imagery and graphics, from the striking high-contrast background images to the collage-style representations of the players. CSS was skillfully employed for customization, incorporating hover states, musical elements, and even an adorable cursor. Certain conversations within the game seamlessly guide players to external sites, such as Joey’s TikTok profile featuring actual TikTok videos or Blade’s SoundCloud, where you can listen to a beat I personally created.
The interface offers a dynamic experience, allowing users to click on any of the four men, each possessing a unique personality and backstory. The ultimate goal is to unravel the layers of each character's persona, exposing hidden truths and challenging stereotypes about the dating scene in LA.
"Club Cupid" serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the covert misogyny prevalent in 21st-century dating. It provides players with a unique and immersive exploration of love, deception, and the blurred lines between expectation and reality, all wrapped up in an engaging visual and interactive package.