Learning the Ropes

Learning the Ropes is a visual novel and adventure game that explores the practical realities of sex work through the eyes of a new professional dominatrix entering the industry. Rather than focusing on fantasy scenarios, the game emphasizes the unglamorous but crucial aspects of the job, particularly client screening and safety. Your primary task involves evaluating client inquiries to determine who is reliable, who might be a no-show, and who may be acting in bad faith. The choices you make throughout your workday directly influence your income, emotional state, and ultimately whether you succeed or fail in maintaining a sustainable career. The game was developed in collaboration with an actual professional sex worker and dominatrix to ensure authentic representation. Originally created as a game jam entry for the Fem Devs Game Jam 2021 under the theme of connection, it conceptualizes screening as a means of ensuring both safety and compatibility between sex workers and clients. The developers plan to expand the project with additional gameplay elements and graphical assets.