- May 12, 2025
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The history of adult visual novels (also known as eroge or erotic games) is deeply intertwined with the evolution of Japanese computer games, dating back to the early 1980s. Over time, the genre expanded globally, influencing Western indie game development. Below is a broad overview of its history:
Early Beginnings (1980s)
Early Beginnings (1980s)
- Text-Based Origins: The earliest adult games were text-based adventures, influenced by Western titles like Leisure Suit Larry (1987) but with a distinctly Japanese aesthetic.
- First Eroge: Night Life (1982) by Koei is often considered the first adult PC game in Japan, featuring simple graphics and text-based erotic content.
- Dōjin & PC-88/98 Era: The Japanese PC-88 and PC-98 computers became popular platforms for early erotic games, often distributed through dōjin (fan-made) circles.
- Introduction of Visual Novels: The term "visual novel" became prominent with games like Dōkyūsei (1995) by ELF Corporation, which combined dating sim mechanics with adult content.
- Key Companies: Companies like ELF, AliceSoft, and Leaf pioneered the genre, with titles such as Rance (1989) and To Heart (1997) blending gameplay with erotic storytelling.
- First Major Success: Tenshi-tachi no Gogo (1993) by FairyTale helped establish the visual novel format with branching narratives and character routes.
