A strange little side quest
The mechanics around Naruto Dating Sim have roots that stretch far beyond modern browsers. Barbie Fashion Designer became a major software hit in 1996, selling more than 500,000 copies in two months and proving there was a large audience for fashion-focused computer play. A second detail makes the picture even better: In 1958, Tennis for Two used an analog computer and an oscilloscope to turn simple physics into a playable tennis-like demonstration. It is a good reminder that simple game mechanics can carry a surprising amount of history.
