DEFINING THE TAG
For the purpose of the game tag, "Harem" can be defined as "a romantic or erotic/sexual situation involving a protagonist who is entangled in relationships with multiple (typically, more than two) partners". A game where the protagonist cheats on a primary partner with multiple other partners does not necessarily qualify as a "harem" game, nor does one where the protagonist seduces a series of partners in a chronological sequence, but there's no sense in which they are maintaining relationships with the multiple partners. More typically, either the harem is the beginning state of the game, or it's a desired or possible end state.
ASPECTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TAGGED THEME
The most obvious aspect of the Harem tag is that the main character has the ability to be in a polyamorous relationship with multiple partners. This can be an Overt Harem, where everyone knows they are part of the harem, and others outside are also aware. It could be a Covert Harem, where even some of the members of the harem may not be aware they are in it or exactly who else is, and where others outside are not aware. It can be a Closed Harem, where no new members will be brought in once the Harem is complete. Or an Open Harem, where the protagonist can keep bringing in new members.
The stability of the harem is often a factor in the source material(i.e., harem anime and manga). Jealousy, Envy and competition can lead to fights, rivalries and even to members leaving the harem. This would be an Unstable Harem. A Stable Harem is one where some level of equilibrium is reached, the jealousy and rivalries are manageable, and everyone is generally happy.
The persona of the main character in a harem game tends to either be completely unremarkable, or completely extraordinary. Either they're a schlub, or they're the Chosen One. If they're a schlub they tend to have either ridiculous luck or they work really hard to bring the harem together.
TYPES AND VARIETIES OF THE TAGGED THEME
The Harem tag has many types and varieties. The setting and initial position of the main character(age, status, location) will tend to influence what type or variety of harem may be available in the game. For example, in a typical suburban contemporary setting, the main character, if a teenager or young adult, may have the ability to develop a School Harem(composed of students and possibly teachers the MC seduces), a Family Harem(in an incest themed game), a Community Harem composed of neighbors, coworkers etc, or a Hybrid Harem made up of all of the above.
Another aspect of the Harem tag is that different love interests may play different "roles" or present different challenges to the MC --e.g., the shy bookish one; the brash, arrogant one; the tempestuous one(Tsundere); the crazy one(Yandere); the experienced one; the maternal, protective one; and so forth.
A Slave Harem might come into play in a game with a mind control or corruption theme. An Action Harem might involve love interests who all have special abilities(e.g., superpowers, magic, martial arts). Some harems can involve sub-relationships between harem members not including the main character.
COMMON SCENARIOS INVOLVING THE TAGGED THEME
The Harem tag is often involved in a game where the achievement of the harem is one of the possible endstates of the game--the main character has successfully seduced several characters and convinced them to enter into a harem arrangement. Others may introduce the harem at an earlier point in the game, which may involve some degree of "harem management". The harem outcome may present itself as a "solution" to the problem of continuing taboo relationships such as incest(e.g., bringing the parent and siblings into a harem arrangement). The harem may be created artificially, as in a mind control game. If the MC is the Chosen One, then the harem may occur naturally as others simply throw themselves at the MC or are helpless against their romantic advances.
One common scenario is the Accidental Harem, where the MC just happens to accumulate romantic relationships with numerous others and that eventually evolves into some kind of harem arrangement. Summertime Saga is a good example of this. A harem theme makes certain sexual scenarios, such as group sex, easier to justify and present. Rivalry between members can create compelling drama in a game, as the MC is challenged to smooth things over between feuding members.
WRITING AND DEVELOPING FOR THE TAGGED THEME
1. Explain the harem at some level. Create a context for it to happen. Is the MC just so awesome? Do the circumstances push things in this unusual direction? Why the MC? Why are these love interests willing to do this?
2. Differentiate the harem members from each other. Their personalities, backstories, even their appearances should be distinctive and distinguishable from each other. Perhaps they have their own motives for joining the harem.
3. The realization that a harem is even possible can be an exciting moment--play it up. If another tag theme such as incest is involved, it can crank the thrill factor to 11.
4. Think about how the harem theme will develop through the game--what are potential challenges or conflicts? Can you introduce a new or unexpected member that kicks it up a notch?
5. Harems and group sex go together like peanut butter and chocolate. If you have a harem game with no or few group sex scenes, you are missing a huge opportunity(admittedly, group scenes are a bit harder to render and animate, but players love them).
For the purpose of the game tag, "Harem" can be defined as "a romantic or erotic/sexual situation involving a protagonist who is entangled in relationships with multiple (typically, more than two) partners". A game where the protagonist cheats on a primary partner with multiple other partners does not necessarily qualify as a "harem" game, nor does one where the protagonist seduces a series of partners in a chronological sequence, but there's no sense in which they are maintaining relationships with the multiple partners. More typically, either the harem is the beginning state of the game, or it's a desired or possible end state.
ASPECTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TAGGED THEME
The most obvious aspect of the Harem tag is that the main character has the ability to be in a polyamorous relationship with multiple partners. This can be an Overt Harem, where everyone knows they are part of the harem, and others outside are also aware. It could be a Covert Harem, where even some of the members of the harem may not be aware they are in it or exactly who else is, and where others outside are not aware. It can be a Closed Harem, where no new members will be brought in once the Harem is complete. Or an Open Harem, where the protagonist can keep bringing in new members.
The stability of the harem is often a factor in the source material(i.e., harem anime and manga). Jealousy, Envy and competition can lead to fights, rivalries and even to members leaving the harem. This would be an Unstable Harem. A Stable Harem is one where some level of equilibrium is reached, the jealousy and rivalries are manageable, and everyone is generally happy.
The persona of the main character in a harem game tends to either be completely unremarkable, or completely extraordinary. Either they're a schlub, or they're the Chosen One. If they're a schlub they tend to have either ridiculous luck or they work really hard to bring the harem together.
TYPES AND VARIETIES OF THE TAGGED THEME
The Harem tag has many types and varieties. The setting and initial position of the main character(age, status, location) will tend to influence what type or variety of harem may be available in the game. For example, in a typical suburban contemporary setting, the main character, if a teenager or young adult, may have the ability to develop a School Harem(composed of students and possibly teachers the MC seduces), a Family Harem(in an incest themed game), a Community Harem composed of neighbors, coworkers etc, or a Hybrid Harem made up of all of the above.
Another aspect of the Harem tag is that different love interests may play different "roles" or present different challenges to the MC --e.g., the shy bookish one; the brash, arrogant one; the tempestuous one(Tsundere); the crazy one(Yandere); the experienced one; the maternal, protective one; and so forth.
A Slave Harem might come into play in a game with a mind control or corruption theme. An Action Harem might involve love interests who all have special abilities(e.g., superpowers, magic, martial arts). Some harems can involve sub-relationships between harem members not including the main character.
COMMON SCENARIOS INVOLVING THE TAGGED THEME
The Harem tag is often involved in a game where the achievement of the harem is one of the possible endstates of the game--the main character has successfully seduced several characters and convinced them to enter into a harem arrangement. Others may introduce the harem at an earlier point in the game, which may involve some degree of "harem management". The harem outcome may present itself as a "solution" to the problem of continuing taboo relationships such as incest(e.g., bringing the parent and siblings into a harem arrangement). The harem may be created artificially, as in a mind control game. If the MC is the Chosen One, then the harem may occur naturally as others simply throw themselves at the MC or are helpless against their romantic advances.
One common scenario is the Accidental Harem, where the MC just happens to accumulate romantic relationships with numerous others and that eventually evolves into some kind of harem arrangement. Summertime Saga is a good example of this. A harem theme makes certain sexual scenarios, such as group sex, easier to justify and present. Rivalry between members can create compelling drama in a game, as the MC is challenged to smooth things over between feuding members.
WRITING AND DEVELOPING FOR THE TAGGED THEME
1. Explain the harem at some level. Create a context for it to happen. Is the MC just so awesome? Do the circumstances push things in this unusual direction? Why the MC? Why are these love interests willing to do this?
2. Differentiate the harem members from each other. Their personalities, backstories, even their appearances should be distinctive and distinguishable from each other. Perhaps they have their own motives for joining the harem.
3. The realization that a harem is even possible can be an exciting moment--play it up. If another tag theme such as incest is involved, it can crank the thrill factor to 11.
4. Think about how the harem theme will develop through the game--what are potential challenges or conflicts? Can you introduce a new or unexpected member that kicks it up a notch?
5. Harems and group sex go together like peanut butter and chocolate. If you have a harem game with no or few group sex scenes, you are missing a huge opportunity(admittedly, group scenes are a bit harder to render and animate, but players love them).
