Surveys indicate a notable shift in the interests of today’s youth, with a growing preference for narratives centered around platonic friendships and social connections rather than romance and sexual themes. This trend has not gone unnoticed by game developers, who are keenly attuned to the evolving landscape of teen media consumption.
Insights from Industry Leaders
At the recent D.I.C.E. Summit, a gathering of games industry professionals, Sharon Tal Yguado, a former television executive turned game studio founder, alongside Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Civility and Partnerships at Roblox, shared their insights on what resonates with the younger generation. They presented findings from recent research that reveal a concerning statistic: 73% of individuals aged 16 to 24 report feelings of loneliness, with many expressing sentiments of sadness and hopelessness. Bhaumik attributes these feelings to a myriad of factors, including global events, climate change, and the pervasive influence of social media.
However, it’s not all bleak. Yguado referenced research from UCLA’s Center for Scholars and Storytellers, which paints a more nuanced picture of today’s youth. Contrary to the stereotype of being superficial and trend-obsessed, young people demonstrate a strong interest in values such as safety, kindness, acceptance, physical fitness, friendship, and spiritual connection. Yet, when it comes to romance, Yguado humorously expressed concern about the future population, noting, “These kids do not care about romance.”
Shifting Preferences in Media Consumption
The 2024 Teens and Screens report from UCLA further underscores this shift in preferences. In a survey of adolescents regarding their media consumption desires, “romance and/or sex” ranked a lowly 15th out of 21 options. In contrast, “content that doesn’t include sex or romance” claimed the 8th spot, while “friendships and social groups” secured 5th place. This emerging “nomance” attitude is gaining traction, with 51.5% of adolescents in 2023 expressing a desire for content focused on platonic relationships, rising to 63.5% in 2024. Additionally, the belief that “sex and sexual content are not essential to advance the plot” increased from 47.5% to 62.4% over the same period.
Even without the backing of survey data, the perception that today’s youth are increasingly disinterested in romance and sexual themes has been prevalent on social media in recent years. The narrative suggests that the isolation experienced during the Covid pandemic, coupled with rising anxiety levels, has fostered a generation of more reserved individuals. Studies corroborate that adolescents are engaging in sexual activity less frequently than previous generations.
Gaming Trends and Cultural Reflections
It is worth noting that mainstream video games have historically featured minimal sexual and romantic content compared to other media forms. For instance, the mild nudity in the 2007 game Mass Effect sparked controversy, while contemporary titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, which delve deeper into sexual themes, represent a more recent trend. Reflecting on personal experiences, one might recall the frustration of obligatory romantic subplots in action films of the ’90s, questioning whether the current generation’s disinterest in romance is truly a cause for concern among romance writers and RPG designers.
Ultimately, the evolving preferences of today’s youth present both challenges and opportunities for content creators. As the landscape shifts, understanding and adapting to these trends will be crucial for engaging this new generation of gamers and media consumers.
