Speed Dating for Ghosts
Have you ever wanted to have deep, meaningful conversations with a smoldering poltergeist who terrorizes rich men in Vegas? How about a ghost dog looking for his owner? Or maybe you'd rather rob a bank? Ghosts are into all sorts of things. Part horror, part comedy, and kinda sorta heartbreaking, Speed Dating for Ghosts is a game like no other about finding companionship and closure in the afterlife. Meet more than a dozen ghosts of oh so many backgrounds, genders, and time periods. Learn how they died, as well as how they lived, then help them find peace... if they like you enough to open up first. Based on what you say and how you say it, some dates may turn ugly. Not everyone gets along, even in the afterlife.
History
Speed Dating for Ghosts is a wholesome horror game developed by Copychaser Games. In making the game, founder Ben Gelinas set out to create an intentionally short, death-positive experience that focused on memorable characters and themes of loss and regret. Copychaser released the game for Windows/Mac on Steam and itch.io on Valentine's Day 2018 from a hotel room in Helsinki, Finland, where Ben was beginning writing work on Remedy Entertainment's CONTROL.
Copychaser released the free Go To Hell expansion for the game in December 2019, introducing players to an exotic new locale and more ghosts to date, including a dog.
In 2020, Laundry Bear Games teamed up with Copychaser to co-release the game for Nintendo Switch, iPhone, and iPad on Valentine's Day.
Features
A cast of characters including twelve eligible ghosts to meet and date, as well as memorable bonus weirdos like Fran, Gail, and Carl!
Deep, branching conversations with markedly different outcomes depending on what you choose to say
A full-fledged date with your favorite ghost that plays out like a text adventure after each speed dating session
A wide range of quirky characters including spirits of vengeance, compassion, despair, and mischief
Original music by Grankle, the musical alterego of game artist Mikey Hamm, and acclaimed recording artist Doug Hoyer.
Factsheet
Developer: Copychaser Games
Based in Calgary, Canada
Publisher:
• Copychaser Games (PC/Mac/iOS)
• Laundry Bear Games (Nintendo Switch)
Based in Toronto, Canada
Release:
• Windows/Mac: February 14, 2018
• iOS, Nintendo Switch: February 14, 2020
Platforms:
• Windows/Mac (Steam, itch.io)
• iOS
• Nintendo Switch
Website:
speeddatingforghosts.com
Videos
Images
Awards & Recognition
Game of the Day - Apple App Store (US), 2020
Honourable Mention, Excellence in Narrative - Independent Games Festival (IGF) Awards, 2019
Best Indie Game of 2018 - Rue Morgue Magazine, 2019
Selected Reviews and Commentary
"Given the Speed Dating’s simple aesthetic, I was expecting something perhaps a bit more silly or cute. So it was a surprise when the game addressed some interesting — and at times dark — subject matter." — Michael Moore — The Verge — Speed Dating for Ghosts is a metaphor for romance in video games
"Part of the thrill lies in not knowing who you’ll meet next. It’s like real life, only sometimes more melancholy." — Matt Cox — Rock, Paper, Shotgun — Speed Dating For Ghosts free expansion lets you date a ghost dog
“For those who even offer the game the smallest fraction of genuine attention, there’s a lot of thought provoking material here just waiting to be found. So please, pleeeease give it a try. It’s only speed dating. What’s the worst that could happen?” - Bad Ghosts’ Video Review
Credits
Andrew Carvalho (he/him)
Programmer
Doug Hoyer (he/him)
DLC Music
Ben Gelinas (he/him)
Designer and Writer
Mikey Hamm (he/him)
Music and Art
Original Soundtrack
Music for the game by Grankle and Doug Hoyer available on Bandcamp and itch.io
For Press
Contact ben@copychaser.com to request review keys for all platforms. Ben is also available for interviews.
About Copychaser Games
Copychaser Games is an independent game studio based in Calgary, Canada dedicated to creating unique narrative video games in a variety of genres. Speed Dating for Ghosts is Copychaser's first game. Two new projects are currently in development: an old school text adventure about sleep paralysis called Slumber Clause and an RPG about space journalism called Times & Galaxy.
Inquiries: hello@copychaser.com
Twitter: twitter.com/copychaser
Facebook: www.facebook.com/speeddatingforghosts
YouTube: Copychaser
Web: copychaser.com