Stereotypical Sweethearts
“Stereotypical Sweethearts” is an interactive 2D visual novel that translates research on gaze theories and social media stereotypes into a three-month narrative simulation, calling on Filipino Gen Z players, who often navigate confusion surrounding self-presentation, to look beyond first impressions and reject superficial judgment by making conscious choices that explore authentic gender identity and self-expression.
Summary
You are gifted… or perhaps cursed.
Ever since you can remember, you’ve perceived the world differently. Every voice has a texture. Every word carries a flavor. And every person glows with a vibrant aura that reveals the shifting landscape of their gender energy—a living reflection of confidence, vulnerability, self-expression, and identity.
There’s just one problem: You can never see your own.
As a college student racing against an approaching thesis defense, your graduation depends on more than academic success. To complete your project, you’ll need to grow closer to your four groupmates; each carrying hidden insecurities, unresolved questions, and complicated relationships with themselves.
In a world where gender energy changes from day to day, shaped by stress, expectations, and self-perception, no one is as certain of who they are as they appear. Through heartfelt conversations, difficult choices, and unexpected connections, you’ll help your friends confront the parts of themselves they’ve spent years trying to ignore. But the deeper you dive into their stories, the more you’ll begin to question your own.
Step into a deeply personal coming-of-age visual novel where every relationship changes the way you see the world—and yourself. Shape your friends’ futures, uncover the truths hidden beneath their carefully crafted personas, and slowly tune into the frequency you’ve been searching for all along.
About Us
The Story Behind the Game
Kumusta! We are Multimedia Arts students from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, and Stereotypical Sweethearts is our official thesis project. Our studio, aptly named; Freaks and Geeks is a representation of us, the creators!
We’re 4 girls who made this game from scratch in under 3 months with nothing but a pen, paper, cracked unity software and a dream. Stereotypical Sweethearts is a 2D interactive visual novel that translates our research on gaze theories and social media stereotypes; particularly the “alpha male” and “pick-me girl” archetypes into a narrative-driven experience.
Aimed at Filipino Gen Z audiences, the game encourages players to look beyond first impressions, question online stereotypes, and reflect on gender identity and self-expression through meaningful choices and character interactions. The project is supported by a dedicated website, an Instagram campaign for community engagement, and a digital artbook that explores its research foundation in greater depth.
Our thesis titled: “The Alpha Male and Pick-Me Girl Content on TikTok and Its Influence on Gender Roles, the Male and Female Gaze, and the Self-Concept of Filipino Gen Z Users in Metro Manila,” used Stuart Hall’s Encoding/Decoding Theory and focus group discussions with 30 participants. Findings show that gender perceptions are largely shaped by media and social norms rather than formal education, with TikTok archetypes reinforcing traditional gender expectations while also sparking critical awareness of gender issues.
Although participants reported limited direct impact on their current self-image, many acknowledged that such content influenced their formative understanding of identity. Overall, the study highlights how these stereotypes both reinforce gendered hierarchies and encourage resistance through growing feminist awareness. Through this game, we aim to turn these insights into an interactive experience that promotes empathy, critical media literacy, and the understanding that identity is fluid, complex, and self-defined.
Our Mission
Aims to create an engaging and research-driven interactive visual novel that encourages Filipino Gen Z audiences to critically examine gender stereotypes, social media archetypes, and the influence of the male and female gaze on self-perception. Through immersive storytelling, meaningful player choices, and character-focused narratives, the project seeks to challenge preconceived notions, foster empathy, and inspire players to explore identity as a fluid and deeply personal journey beyond societal expectations.
Our Vision
Is to create a generation of media-literate individuals who approach online stereotypes with critical awareness, empathy, and openness. By blending academic research with interactive storytelling, the project aspires to become a platform that empowers players to question restrictive gender norms, embrace authentic self-expression, and recognize the complexity and humanity behind every identity.
Team Portfolios
GALLERY
Get ready to meet our cast of atypical sweethearts. On this page, you’ll find their character profiles, a free downloadable artbook, as well as behind-the-scenes footage and lore from the creators of the game themselves.
Character Profiles
Official Art Book
Check out our exclusive Digital Artbook to see the artistic direction, research foundation, and creative process behind our thesis.
Behind the Scenes
Contact Us
Wanna Chat? We’ve built this dedicated contact page because we want to hear from you. Whether you’re a player, educator, or creator looking to collaborate, feel free to reach out to the student team for inquiries, feedback, or support. Our Social Media also connects you directly to our Instagram campaign so you never miss an update.