The once-popular The Dating Game television game show has been remade for the 21st century -- but instead of contestants answering flirtatious questions on television, this new version is playable on Facebook and other social networks.  Available today for free, The Dating Game is based on the same core premise as the cheeky TV show created by Chuck Barris in the mid '60s: a bachelorette or bachelor must decide between three anonymous suitors after three rounds of personal questions. For example, contestants might be asked "You have created a new perfume. What scent is it and how do you convince me to wear it?"  The player whose answers are closest to the main contestant's wins more points than their competitors, as it suggests better compatibility. The top scorer wins a "date" with the bachelor or bachelorette -- virtually speaking, that is.  To keep things safe and fun, all players are represented by customizable avatars rather than photos or video of real faces. Plus, answers per round are multiple-choice based, so there's less of a chance of offending someone.  But that doesn't mean you can't be a bit racy -- if asked "Assuming we date, where should we have our first kiss?" one of the replies you can choose from is "Well, I'd like to kiss you on the lips first…" The faster you can buzz in with your answer, the better, as more than one contestant might want the same response. Digital gifts can be given within the game, too.  "We did some extensive research into the Facebook market and found the most actively talked-about subject was dating," says James Kosta, CEO of 3G Studios, the Reno, Nevada-based developer of The Dating Game. "And it doesn't matter if you're married – people like to talk about who's dating who, gossip about people's relationships and perhaps playing matchmaker -- and so we wanted to create a fun and light-hearted forum to keep people engaged and entertained."  When asked what he learned while creating the game, Kosta laughed and replied "it's not as easy to flirt as you might think." When the writers were drafting questions and answers, Kostas said he realized different people flirt, or try to flirt, in different ways -- sometimes unsuccessfully.  The Dating Game -- licensed from Sony Pictures and now playable on Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, Hi5 and Bebo -- features three unique rounds of questions. The first is a series of four questions related to personal preferences about travel, romance, work, and so on. Round no. 2 is a word association game, where contestants must buzz in with their preferred response. The third round is a take on Mad-Libs, having suitors read a short story and their chosen words fill in the blanks to create humorous tales.  Kosta says the game has thousands of questions, but the free content pack contains about 100 questions or thereabouts. Gamers can purchase additional theme-based content packs ('80s, sports, adult, etc.) for anywhere between $1 and $5 apiece. Each pack also offers new graphics to change up the look of each game.  "I think people will be surprised how much fun the anonymity of the game is, trying to guess who you're playing with," says Kosta. "You might learn at the end of the game it's a good friend or perhaps it's someone in the office."  Kosta hinted other versions of The Dating Game are in the works for other platforms, including iOS devices and some interactive television-based services.
'The Dating Game' goes interactive, virtual and social - Game Hunters: In search of video games and interactive awesomeness - USATODAY.com - Game Hunters: In search of video games and interactive awesomeness