Rather than describe a game as “intensely violent,” - like an ESRB rating might - proper content warnings state the specific trauma depicted, even at the risk of spoiling the story. 'This game may include references to unwanted advances, stalking, and other forms of emotional manipulation,” it reads. The original content warning in Boyfriend Dungeon. It’s abundantly clear why Eric’s behavior can be triggering, so was this original content warning enough?

Initially, you can exile Eric by ignoring him, but he ultimately becomes one of the game’s main villains. Disabling these calls allows those with parent-related trauma to still enjoy the game without having to confront their triggers.īut Boyfriend Dungeon faced intense backlash after players encountered Eric, a creepy character who stalks and attempts to emotionally manipulate the player-character. Short tells Inverse in an email interview.īoyfriend Dungeon initially gained positive attention for letting players opt out of phone calls from their in-game mother where she encourages the player. “Fiction can be a great way to explore and work through complex issues and feelings, but only if you're ready to do so,” Boyfriend Dungeon co-director Tanya X. But at what point does a content warning become a full-on plot spoiler?

Its treatment of an emotionally manipulative antagonist, however, has raised provocative questions about the kinds of trigger warnings people want to see in games. Boyfriend Dungeon is a dungeon crawler dating sim hybrid where your weapons transform into romanceable hotties.

Boyfriend dungeon characters