In an exciting twist within the dating sim universe, the upcoming game Date Everything is stepping into uncharted territory. What sets this game apart is its imaginative concept of humanized household objects serving as potential romantic partners. With a whopping 100 characters up for grabs, each with their own paths of affection, camaraderie, or disdain, this is a smorgasbord of romance waiting to be explored.
In a lively chat with Game Rant, the brains behind Date Everything—Ray Chase, Robbie Daymond, and Amanda Hufford—shared insights on deciding the number of characters and the intricate juggling act required to bring such a huge cast to life. Interestingly, these developers also lend their voices to some of the game’s characters, adding a personalized touch to the project.
The inception of Date Everything was set with grand ambitions. As Daymond, who co-founded Sassy Chap Games with Chase and Max Mittelman, put it, from the get-go, the team was resolute in their decision to feature 100 characters. “We dug in our heels on 100 from day one,” Daymond revealed. Chase echoed this sentiment, explaining that 100 was not just a number, but a memorable goal that represented a significant challenge.
However, sticking to such a large roster wasn’t without its hurdles, particularly when it came to securing a publisher. Daymond recounted how the team received several offers, albeit with strings attached. Offers came with suggestions to scale down the cast to 25 or 50 characters, but they stayed firm. It was only after some persistence that they found a fitting partner in Team17.
Surprisingly, the team faced greater difficulty in paring down their expansive list of potential characters rather than expanding it. As Chase recalled, a casual survey of everyday household items initially resulted in nearly 500 character ideas. The biggest challenge, he noted, was trimming this list down to 100.
To manage this, they cleverly merged objects of the same type into single characters. For example, every window in the game embodies one character, while all lamps and curtains follow suit. Dorian the Door, a character voiced by Ben Starr of Final Fantasy 16 fame, is a perfect illustration of this concept, with 17 variations throughout the game.
Another standout example includes Curt and Rod, characters brought to life by David Morales and Jacquis Neal. These characters, which personify curtains, provide interaction based on their particular view of the outside world. As Daymond elaborates, “their conversations shift depending on where you encounter them, offering a unique perspective of the surroundings.”
Slated for release in June 2025, Date Everything is setting itself up as a game filled with possibilities. Each character allows for different outcomes—be it love, friendship, or even hate—ensuring ample replayability for those keen to explore all narratives. The Sassy Chap team has indeed remained steadfast in their vision of a hundred dateable characters, delivering on a creative promise that adds an engaging twist to the genre.
