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STARSAND ISLAND Is Primed to Redefine Romance in the Life Sim Genre
STARSAND ISLAND Is Primed to Redefine Romance in the Life Sim Genre

Geek Girl Authority

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Geek Girl Authority

STARSAND ISLAND Is Primed to Redefine Romance in the Life Sim Genre

Starsand Island has quickly become one of the most anticipated cozy games of the year. Following the release of its latest trailer this week, hopeful players are especially excited about the game's clean, anime-style graphics, adorable animals and, of course, romance. While dating is always a topic of interest going into any farming and life sim, what makes Starsand Island so special is how it breaks genre traditions with a more realistic approach. I was skeptical at first, since titles like last year's SunnySide kind of dropped the ball in a similar attempt. But Seed Lab's developing life sim could take genre romance in a new direction. A More Realistic Affection System Seed Lab When it comes to the farming and life sim genres, your decisions have always affected how your relationships with dateable NPCs play out. Some titles, like Harvest Moon and Fields of Mistria , lock you into a will-they-won't-they narrative until your relationship is strong enough to decide whether you'll remain friends or pursue a romantic partnership, but dating in Starsand Island seems to work a little differently. RELATED: July's Most Anticipated Video Games Developer and publisher Seed Lab says the game's NPCs aren't just 'flat characters' or 'cold quest tools.' Rather, they're fleshed-out personalities with their own memories, emotions and aspirations. In taking this approach, helping out with personal goals and appreciating the little things in life foster your bonds and encourage NPCs to evolve. As you get to know them, they also get to know you . This way, every interaction is an opportunity to take a step forward — or back. Taking the Next Step Seed Lab Starsand Island 's romance system relies on a more realistic rule of progression than others. In Seed Lab's latest reveal trailer, we got a closer look at the character profile for an islander named Pastelle. And while in-game text is still in need of a bit more polish, relationship milestones are already clear-cut. When you're just getting to know the island's singles, you can start off by gifting them items they might like. This is standard practice in the genre, and most will find this custom familiar. But once you reach two hearts, you can then go on an outing together. Your relationship continues to move forward in this way, with room visits unlocked next, then requests and, finally, cohabitation. That's not all that makes the developing title a standout ahead of launch, though. RELATED: Mobile Game Monday: Lost in Play Voice Acting Brings Starsand Island's Dating Scene to Life Seed Lab Voice acting for NPCs and the player may not be entirely unheard of in the farming and life sim genres. But–at least for me — there isn't a title that immediately comes to mind. In most cases, you carry on conversations in silence, save for a change in music. Starsand Island breaks tradition and stands out here. In the affection system trailer released by Seed Lab this week, we heard a good bit of spoken dialogue from the masculine base farmer and Pastelle. Lines were delivered between scenes of all the activities you can share with the island's most eligible. This includes watching TV, taking a seat on a backyard swing together, riding your bikes through town, bathing in hot springs — and more that's yet to be revealed. That said, it looks like these lively conversations may be limited to cutscenes. Traditional dialogue (with options) is still very much a thing here. And judging by the clips we saw in the new trailer, there's plenty of room to flirt, offer advice and lighten the mood with humor as you grow closer with the folks around Starsand Island. Starsand Island will release in late 2025 on PC (Steam). 15 Co-Op Game Announcements From June 2025 Olivia Rolls (she/her) is a weekly contributor at GGA, specializing in cozy games, anime and all things horror. Her byline has appeared at publications like The Mary Sue, The Escapist, GameSkinny and more. When she's not writing deep dives on her favorite games, shows, movies or characters, she's probably yapping about the latest pop culture trends or catching up on another Pokémon playthrough. E-mail professional inquiries to [email protected]. You can also find Olivia on Bluesky and LinkedIn.

Want to howl and eat raw food for work? ‘Wild Man' job in Chinese national park goes viral
Want to howl and eat raw food for work? ‘Wild Man' job in Chinese national park goes viral

Straits Times

time19-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Straits Times

Want to howl and eat raw food for work? ‘Wild Man' job in Chinese national park goes viral

According to the advertisement, actors should wear wild men attire, patrol on the attraction and occasionally perform abstract dances. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM SHENNONGJIA TOURISM/REDNOTE Want to howl and eat raw food for work? 'Wild Man' job in Chinese national park goes viral HUBEI - A recent advertisement recruiting 'Wild Men' with a daily wage of 500 yuan (S$89) per person in Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei province, has proved a hit online, attracting about 10,000 job-seekers. The advertised post is for non-player characters (NPCs) - more commonly known as actors or actresses - who can behave like wild men to provide an immersive and interactive experience for tourists. The Shennongjia National Park is famous for its legend of wild men, who are said to be approximately 2m tall, covered in reddish-brown hair, move swiftly and emit a sound resembling a low 'woo woo' cry. According to the advertisement, the NPCs should wear wild men attire, patrol on the attraction and occasionally perform abstract dances. They are strictly restrained from speaking in front of tourists; they can only utter 'woo woo woo' sounds. They should be able to live in the wild for a long time, and accept being fed by visitors, with a preference for those willing to eat raw food. The post is open to all ages and gender as long as they have a healthy body. Both extroverts and introverts can apply. Those who are under great pressure, want to act out their real nature or simply find a place to zone out are welcomed, it said. They should also record the stories of being a wild man through videos with hidden cameras, according to the advertisement. Currently, potential candidates are being recruited through fan groups on short-video platforms. Over 20 fan groups have already been established, each with 500 members, totalling around 10,000 participants. However, only 16 people will be recruited. According to the advertisement, actors should wear wild men attire, patrol on the attraction and occasionally perform abstract dances. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM SHENNONGJIA TOURISM/REDNOTE The work period is from July to August, with accident insurance offered, but those selected will have to arrange their own food and accommodation. 'You may bring your own tent and gather daily necessities independently (except for protected animals and plants), and you should run if confronting unknown creatures,' the advertisement said. A netizen commented on Sina Weibo: 'Who can refuse a job that can be mad and earn money?' Under a related video with some 13,000 views on Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, a lifestyle-sharing platform, a netizen commented: 'I'm willing to pay 500 yuan to play the wild man.' It's not uncommon for scenic areas to recruit NPCs. Tanhe Ancient Town in Ningxiang city, Hunan province, announced it would recruit 100 Jiang Taigong, a famous sage during the Shang Dynasty (16th century to 11th century BC), to go fishing along the river. The advertisement targets farmers aged 60 and older with a wage of 20 yuan per hour. Jiang is the major character in the novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods), which is a theme of the attraction. Taihang Wuzhi Mountain scenic area in Handan, Hebei province, offered 6,000 yuan per month to hire actors to play the Monkey King, with the main task being 'eating while trapped under a mountain', a classic plot in the classical novel, Journey to the West. Professor Fu Maozheng, professor from the Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology in Haikou, Hainan province, said this recruitment approach represents an exploration of 'immersive scenario experiences' - transforming static landscapes into dynamic narratives through role-playing interactions. 'It not only satisfies tourists' demands for differentiated experiences but also injects youthful, socialized vitality into scenic areas,' he said. Prof Fu is also a member of the academic committee of the Hainan Provincial Cultural Tourism Integration Product Design and Industrial Development Research Base. He added that it also creates a number of flexible jobs. Professor Wang Jinwei, professor at the School of Tourism Sciences of Beijing International Studies University, said that recruiting NPCs is a marketing method to attract tourists' attention and increase the influence of attractions. 'It's also a way to dig into the cultural characteristics of scenic spots and promote them by transforming ideas and knowledge into perceptible and affable figures. Besides, it makes tourism more fun, like playing a game,' he said. However, attractions should consider if such gaming interprets history and culture correctly and if NPCs' interactions with tourists are appropriate, he added. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

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