The 2000s saw a significant shift in the way video games approached romantic relationships. (2007) and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) introduced players to complex, branching storylines that allowed for meaningful interactions with non-playable characters (NPCs). These games enabled players to form romantic connections with certain characters, influencing the story and its outcomes.
This paper examines the portrayal of romantic relationships in video-based media, including film, television series, and digital streaming content. It analyzes how romantic storylines function as narrative drivers, reflect cultural norms, and influence audience expectations of intimacy. By exploring tropes, character dynamics, and the evolution of on-screen romance, the paper argues that video relationships serve both as mirrors of societal values and as aspirational models that shape real-world emotional literacy.