This was originally posted at Fan To Pro, but as its about games and artistry, I figured it was worth sharing here.

Datesims have a rather creepy reputation in the US.  The ones we see
from Japan often contain questionable content.  By questionable of
course I mean soul-searing horror that would make Cthulu call for his
mommy and curl up in a blanket.  Yes I know there are Datesims that
don't have objectionable content, you just don't hear about them that
much.

Except I'm thinking Datesims may have more of a future. 
I'm not talking that people will begin playing them instead of Modern
Warfare 2.  But I'm thinking that the time may be right for more of
them in  . . . well places that aren't Japan.  Oh, and datesims that
aren't of a prurient nature.

Before you get scared, let me explain my logic.

• Datesims are casual games.  Casual gaming has obviously been on the increase.
• Their relatively simple nature would let them take advantage of the
  increased use of Downloadable content – reducing the cost, reducing the
  investment.
• Let's be honest, the standard Datesim is not overly complex as a piece of technology.
• Romance is always a big genre, and companies doing romance novels
  (Hey, Harlequin, want ANOTHER initiative?) could jump on the bandwagon.
• Their multimedia nature may tie-in well to people's interests.

So the reason I think Datesims have a future could be summed up as,
I think they're viable because you can deliver them fast and cheap,
they'd have good appeal, and you have audiences that would be
interested in them.  If anything, I see the marketing being a bit
troublesome – you'd probably have to call them "interactive romance
novels" or something.

I don't see them as being big business
(though I see the "interactive novel" idea having more of a future),
but I think they may be a viable product for some companies, and a
valuable addition to publishers of romance novels and products.  After
all, if you got a modern anime-style artist to do a Datesim/romance
with hunky vampires, and it cost $10 with the purchase of a novel, and
maybe had unlockable desktops and themes – yeah, I think it'd sell.

- Steven