Date Like Goblins, a new dating platform, allows users to virtually date and play video games

Online dating can be challenging in itself, but it’s especially difficult for gamers, many of whom describe themselves as neurodivergent or introverted. Date Like Goblins — an online dating platform that takes its name from “Goblin Mode,” a term that means to unapologetically be your authentic self — aims to approach dating in a more casual and fun way. 

Launching this fall, Date Like Goblins is geared toward the gaming community and allows users to connect via voice chat while playing video games. The platform announced its Kickstarter campaign on Wednesday, offering backers the opportunity to gain early access to the platform and secure a discounted membership rate. 

Date Like Goblins is designed for those who are introverted, neurodivergent, or on the autism spectrum, to have the opportunity to meet someone in an environment where they feel comfortable — playing their favorite game. This allows them to have a virtual date with minimal pressure and then decide whether to continue with in-person dates. 

The beta version of Date Like Goblins, which currently has over 250 testers, is pretty straightforward. Users who join the platform encounter a simple interface that utilizes search filters instead of the typical algorithms and swiping models found on apps like Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder. Users can filter their preferences, such as age, gender, and favorite video games — Final Fantasy XIV, League of Legends, Magic the Gathering, World of Warcraft, and Stardew Valley, among others. 

The platform caters not only to people looking for dates but also to individuals seeking friendships or one-time gaming sessions with new players.

Once they find a person they’d like to speak to, the user can invite them to a gaming session. This is done via a Calendly-style invite, a tool that helps in scheduling meetings, where they enter their Discord username. On Discord, they can voice chat and exchange gamer IDs to play a game with each other. 

Right now, the only way to interact with another user is through Discord. However, the platform may consider implementing an in-app voice capability in the future. 

There’s also a dashboard where users can see all their upcoming games, invites, and requests. In the “Availability” tab, they can adjust their schedule to customize when matches can schedule games and how many days in advance they’d like to be notified of an upcoming game.

Lise Keeney, an avid World of Warcraft player and former publicist for Hinge, came up with the idea for Date Like Goblins shortly after her father passed away from cancer.

“It was definitely one of those life-altering moments where I’m like, ‘Okay, what was I put on earth to do, and what makes me happy?’” Keeney told TechCrunch.

“I did a lot of reflecting and [realized] my purpose for being in the world has always been to find my person. When I got through the grieving process, I tried to hop on the traditional dating apps, and I was exhausted. It takes a monumental amount of effort to message back and forth, to match, to go on first dates in person. And that’s when I sat down, and I was like, ‘How can I use the internet to meet people in a low pressure, low effort way?’” said Keeney. 

Date Like Goblins is banking on the trend that many gamer-focused dating startups (Kippo, GamerDating, Co-Op, and LFG Dating) are also following: offering a unique experience to single gamers fed up with traditional dating apps. 

What sets it apart from other competitors is that it offers the ability to use three different modes: Normal (Human), which includes profile photos; Goblin, which includes zero photos; and Halfling, an “almost blind” mode that only shows your profile photo when you decide you’re interested in the other person.  

Before we get into why Goblin mode could be problematic, there are some perks to dating platforms that don’t require selfies. For instance, being able to focus on interests and personality rather than appearance-based judgments may lower anxiety about being perceived based on looks and encourage more shy daters to participate in online dating. 

Dating apps have done this in the past. Take S’More (recently acquired by Tawkify), for example, which blurred profile photos in an effort to encourage more authentic dating. 

The downside to creating a dating platform that caters to neurodivergent and introverted gamers without profile pictures is that it could facilitate deceptive behavior where users might misrepresent themselves or engage in predatory behavior. Building trust can already be challenging for some individuals, so the absence of profile pictures might make it even harder for them to gauge the intentions of others. In general, it’s important to never share sensitive and personal information with anyone you speak to online and always meet them in public places.

Keeney claims that the platform is planning to add ID verification. According to its privacy policy, Date Like Goblins isn’t intended for users under 18 years old. 

“While we plan to implement industry-standard profile/user verification, we also recognize that we’ll be redefining the idea of identity for our users, choosing only 100% Goblin Match Mode. We’re excited to remove the physicality from online dating (for those interested) but will also have to determine how one verifies identity without photo-based profiles. It’s a fascinating challenge and one we’re really looking forward to tackling,” she told us. 

NSFW (Not Safe for Work) filters aren’t in place yet either, which could cause obvious problems, like inappropriate messages. The absence of such safeguards can make the platform less safe for all users, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ individuals, who are often targets of sexual harassment in gaming communities. Bumble, the female-first dating app, uses AI to automatically blur nude photos in messages sent between daters. 

Date Like Goblins is working on launching NSFW filters in the future. 

“I am hand-approving people because I feel very strongly about making sure that, until we have NSFW filters, I want to avoid d–k pics from popping up. But I will say I’ve been pleasantly surprised in terms of the lack of d–k pics that have been surfacing on the site. I’m so impressed by the folks on the platform,” Keeney said. 

In addition to the founder manually vetting each profile, the platform also has automated moderation systems and a team of human moderators in place to monitor and review accounts. Users can report profiles deemed inappropriate or disrespectful.

“If someone’s profile is reported as being inappropriate, we immediately yank it [down] and review,” Keeney noted.

The platform is considering adding several other features designed to prevent unwelcome behavior. However, these are all hypothetical and may take a long time to develop.

For instance, a pop-up notification may appear during the date to remind users to ask questions. 

“I’ve been going on dates with heterosexual cisgender men, and they [rarely] ask their dates questions … A lot of our users are going to potentially be on the spectrum, so being able to be very strategic in regards to what are the types of behavior that we can help people learn,” Keeney said. 

Additionally, there could be a button for users to hit that politely indicates that the user isn’t feeling the date. And, after every call, users will be prompted to provide feedback about the other person.

“Of course, we are going to be very thoughtful about banning people, but being able to also work with our community in terms of saying, ‘Hey, that behavior was not cool. Let’s work with you to work on this behavior, but absolutely not at the behest of our users,’” she added.   

Another feature on the product roadmap includes a dedicated feature for polyamorous relationships. 

Overall, Date Like Goblins will likely resonate with a lot of gamers and help provide a familiar environment for them to explore potential romantic connections. By integrating gaming into the dating experience, the platform aims to create a space where individuals can build relationships based on shared interests.

Date Like Goblins will offer three free dates to new sign-ups before charging a subscription fee. The team is still working out the exact cost, but Keeney says it’s “significantly lower than traditional dating apps.” In contrast, Hinge+ costs $34.99 per month.

The Kickstarter campaign will end in 45 days. Four levels are being offered:

DTF (Down to Fund): Costs $10 and provides unlimited access through 2024.FWB (Friends with Benefits): $30 for unlimited access through June 2025.Situationship: $60 for unlimited access through December 2025.Everlasting Goblin: Lifetime access for $100 for the first 500 backers and $120 once those spots are filled.

Backers will get access to the platform on September 30, and it’ll be rolled out to the public around November. There’s also a waitlist for anyone else interested in joining.

Updated on 7/31/24 at 11:40 a.m. ET.