# Gamified Video Dating Apps IRLY is a Dating App by Gen Z for Gen Z By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2023-07-25 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/irly References: [bcbusiness](https://www.bcbusiness.ca/UBC-startup-IRLY-is-out-to-reimagine-dating-apps-for-Generation-Z) & [irly.app](https://www.irly.app/)  IRLY (I Really Like You) is a [Gen Z dating app](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crush-feelings) that does away with corny pickup lines and endless back-and-forth between users, and instead it offers a [gamified video dating experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vibing) to suit a digitally native generation. Users get to chat while playing games with one another like tic-tac-toe and drawing challenges, which offer plenty of opportunities for conversations to get started and connections to deepen. IRLY was born out of the e@UBC program, and co-founders Connor Rose and Laura Rollock are preparing for a winter 2023 launch. “Gen Z is very frustrated,” says Rose, “They hate texting, they feel like their personality is too big for [dating apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wudya). We saw a major issue here—we want to bring magic back to dating and let people connect in a more organic way.” ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 17% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Romance](https://www.trendhunter.com/romance) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Gamified Video Dating:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop gamified video features in dating apps to create a more interactive and organic dating experience for Gen Z. - **Digital Native Dating:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build dating platforms that cater to the preferences and communication styles of digital native generations like Gen Z, incorporating features like gamification and video chats. - **Anti-texting Dating:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create dating apps that prioritize real-time interaction through game-based conversations and minimize traditional textual communication. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Dating Apps:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Enhance dating app experiences by integrating gamification and video features, catering to the needs and preferences of Gen Z users. - **Digital Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the intersection of dating and gaming by developing interactive and entertaining video-based platforms for young audiences. - **Social Networking:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Innovate within social networking platforms by introducing gamified video dating functionalities that allow users to connect and form relationships in a more engaging and authentic manner. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Real-World Connection Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dayone-irl-dating-app.md) - [Interactive Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smitten.md) - [Inclusive Gen Z Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feels-app.md) - [Real-Time Video Matching](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/call-me-maybe.md) - [AI-Powered Dating Simulators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-game-game.md) - [IRL Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blush-app.md) - [Gen Z Dating Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/it-starts-with-a-swipe.md) - [No-Swipe Gen Z Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noswipe-dating-app.md) - [Hybrid Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/when-we-first.md)