Speed Dates – Winter Edition, a full-motion video game originally in Turkish with English subtitles, offers a unique experience that blurs the line between gaming and arthouse cinema. The game, stumbled upon by critic Dominik Diamond while searching for Olympic-themed titles on Xbox Live, presents a series of speed dates with 18 Turkish women, each encounter laden with unexpected dialogue and cinematic references.
The game opens with the protagonist, Murat, bumping into a female friend who invites him to a speed dating night. Players then select from a list of women and engage in brief, full-motion video conversations. The deliberate buffering and stuttering of scenes pay homage to classic film techniques, reminiscent of Scorsese's use of black and white in Raging Bull. The camera work is intentionally odd, with dates looking off-camera while Murat stares directly at the player, a nod to French New Wave cinema.
Dialogue ranges from mundane to surreal. One date, Aylin, asks if Murat would adopt her two children; another, Leyla, inquires about dominance and submission, followed by a choice of favourite foods including raw meatballs. Later, Eda discusses zombie invasions, revealing she would prefer to become a zombie herself. The game's responses often surprise, such as when Murat's fantasy is to become invisible to hear what others say about him.
While the game can be played strategically to match with as many women as possible by pandering to their preferences, it also offers moments of genuine unpredictability. Stereotypes emerge, such as all women loving shopping and asking about favourite foods, but the dialogue constantly subverts expectations. After 18 dates, players may match with up to eight women, but the game ends abruptly, leaving the experience open to interpretation.
