Between 2023 and 2024, an estimated 1.4 million people left dating apps. Many of those did so because they saw the apps as ‘a chore’ or ‘like admin’, rather than a way of finding love. 

During the same period, the top 10 most popular dating apps saw a 16% drop in use. Of these, Tinder saw the biggest loss, with more than half a million users abandoning the platform. This was followed by Bumble (-368,000 users) and Hinge (-131,000 users).

Why We’re Abandoning Apps 

It looks like we’re falling out of love with dating apps for a variety of reasons, including a sense of detachment from reality and fatigue at the process (particularly repeated conversations). 

Researchers from the University of Leeds believe that rather than being an exciting place to visit, these apps have actually become tedious, with many users seeing them as a chore. As a result, instead of developing meaningful connections, users instead feel like they’re doing admin. 

But LGBT+ Apps See Growth 

However, although the appetite for straight dating is undoubtedly fading, queer-oriented apps are still going strong. While Grindr and Squirt experienced drops in usership, these drops were much smaller than the ones seen in straight apps. Similarly, the only app that saw an increase in usership was Scruff, an app for men seeking men. 

Researchers believe that, in the queer community, the continued use of dating apps shows that the apps are still incredibly accessible for those who may not feel safe being visible or ‘out’ in physical queer spaces. Similarly, it’s also thought that the apps are very effective at allowing people to experiment with their sexuality and better understand their preferences. 

This is particularly the case for people who are questioning their sexuality and need a space to experiment outside of hetronormative spaces. The same can also be said for gay chat lines, which have also become popular in the last few years, in part due to the sense of anonymity they provide. 

What’s the Future of Online Dating? 

Although the popularity of online dating apps is undoubtedly fading, they retain a strong user base. After all, the 10 most popular dating apps in 2024 were still used by more than seven million people! 

As a result, it’s clear that dating apps aren’t going anywhere. However, it’s also apparent that these apps must reinvent themselves and offer something different to users. Otherwise, their user base will continue to dwindle. 

Looking to the future, these apps need to make the experience they offer feel both different and real to users. Otherwise, they will continue to look elsewhere.

In an industry often chasing fleeting trends, visionary restaurateur (and soon to be hotelier) Barış Köroğlu (Baris Koroglu) is building an empire on the bedrock of heritage. Last month, he unveiled his latest venture, DEJAVU, a Mediterranean-American fusion restaurant and cocktail lounge in the heart of the West Village, marking the next step in his mission to redefine hospitality through cultural storytelling and immersive experience.

For Köroğlu, the journey to 394 West Street began far from New York, in the ancient, cave-etched landscape of Cappadocia, Turkey. The region’s deep layers of history, artistry, and community forged a creative sensibility that now informs every project he touches. He translates this heritage not as a relic, but as a living inspiration, blending tradition with modern innovation to create spaces that resonate on a global scale.

“Guests today seek more than a meal; they seek meaning, connection, and a story,” says Köroğlu. “My vision is to build bridges between cultures, reminding people that hospitality is, at its heart, about human connection.”

Köroğlu is no stranger to shaping NYC’s social scene. Over two decades, he has cemented his reputation as a tastemaker through roles as Promotional Director at Paradise Club, a partner in VirgoPresent, and as co-founder of the immersive nightlife concept The Lullaby. His collaboration with NBA star Carmelo Anthony at 9 Jones further showcased his unique ability to fuse food, design, and celebrity into relevant concepts.

DEJAVU represents an evolution of this philosophy—a holistic destination where the line between refined dining and vibrant nightlife intentionally blurs. The 2,800-square-foot space is designed as a series of evolving experiences. The evening begins in the lively Emerald Room bar, transitions into the cream-toned sophistication of the 40-seat Golden Room dining area, and culminates for some in the Red Room, an intimate, 10-seat speakeasy hidden behind velvet curtains that hosts private tastings and burlesque performances on weekends.

“When guests enter DEJAVU, they are stepping into a narrative,” Köroğlu explains. “Every detail, from the lighting to the music, contributes to an immersive experience that we want to linger in the memory.”

This narrative extends to the plate. The culinary program, led by chefs with pedigrees in esteemed European and New York kitchens, merges coastal Turkish and Italian influences through a modern New York lens. The menu is a journey of refined yet approachable dishes designed to balance familiarity with surprise.

Shareable starters include the DEJAVU Burrata ($19) with Mediterranean herbs, and an homage to New York, the Pastrami Croquette ($19). Hand-rolled pastas reflect Mediterranean roots, such as the Manti Dumplings ($32)—Turkish ravioli in a velvety yogurt sauce. For indulgence, the menu offers caviar service ($95) and a luxurious Lemon Spaghetti with Caviar ($42).

The bar program, a fusion of artistry and science, is equally performance-driven. Utilizing techniques like sous-vide infusion and fat-washing, lead mixologist Turgut creations include the signature DEJAVU cocktail (white rum, lychee, yuzu, matcha foam) and the innovative Truffle Coffee Negroni.

Beyond business, Köroğlu’s vision is rooted in endurance and responsibility. A dedicated philanthropist, he supports cultural preservation efforts in his native Cappadocia, believing that success comes with a duty to steward community and legacy.

With two more projects on the horizon, Barış Köroğlu is poised to broaden his influence as one of the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders. From the mystical landscapes of Cappadocia to the vibrant streets of the West Village, he is proving that the most memorable hospitality is built not just on taste, but on a profound and authentic sense of place.

DEJAVU is located at 394 West Street, New York, NY 10014. Reservations for the Golden Room dining area and the Red Room speakeasy are available now.

Video games grow up fast. One year you are jogging through a fantasy forest punching goblins with a tree branch. The next year you are sorting through layered skill trees, seasonal currencies, prestige ranks, and technical upgrades so intricate they might require a lab coat. None of these additions dropped from the sky. They are the product of a long push toward one thing. Reward design that feels as structured and deliberate as any loyalty program, fitness app, or digital badge system.

And in the same way reviewers at casino.org/canada/ break down which online casino options feature the most innovative mechanics, players now judge games on how well their reward systems work. Not on their volume of shiny trinkets but on the quality of the loops, the pacing, the sense of meaning. If a game offers gear unlocks, skill progression, and event bonuses, it is basically building a reward economy inside the walls of a fantasy world.

What Science Says About Why These Systems Work

Here is where things get interesting. The reward structures you see in modern games line up neatly with established gamification research. A systematic mapping study of gamification mechanics found that points, levels, badges, and challenges are the core ingredients that reliably generate engagement. Nothing mystical here. Players want feedback, goals, and a sense that something new waits behind the next swing or shot.

But timing matters just as much as the reward itself. Some games hand you predictable rewards. Others use variable schedules where you never quite know what the next loot chest will give you. That unpredictability has been shown in gamification studies to increase motivation and attention. It taps into the same behavioral learning principles that drive highly engaging systems outside of gaming.

Yet here is a twist. A study comparing random and non random reward systems in video games discovered that players often prefer non random rewards because they feel more control over their progress. Predictability is not boring if it respects the player’s time. It can actually deepen engagement because players feel they earned their upgrades rather than lucked into them.

And then there is the brain itself. A longitudinal fMRI study found that video game training preserved activity in the ventral striatum. This is the part of the brain involved in reward sensitivity. In plain English, regular gameplay kept people more responsive to positive feedback.

So when players say the ding of a level up feels good, they are not exaggerating. Their neurons are literally firing in ways that agree with them.

Gear Unlocks and Skill Progression are Reward Loops Dressed in Armor

Gear unlock systems are one of the cleanest examples of structured digital rewards. You complete missions or challenges. You gain points, XP, or reputation. You hit a threshold. And then finally you unlock the weapon, armor set, or ultra specific pair of gloves that give two percent more crit damage. Gamification research shows that these systems work because they satisfy autonomy and competence. Players decide which path to take and they see visible growth when they reach the destination.

Skill trees add another layer. You invest in abilities. You watch your character become more capable. You can specialize early or spread your points like an indecisive gambler. Psychologically this creates a state known as flow where challenge and ability match up in a satisfying, occasionally addictive way.

Event bonuses change the tempo of the whole system. Limited time modes or seasonal challenges add urgency and novelty. A gamification study of freemium style reward loops found that time sensitive rewards keep people engaged far longer than permanent ones because the player feels like they might miss out.

Why These Features Keep Players Hooked

The real secret behind reward systems is simple. They work because they are built on behavioral mechanics that have been tested across fields. Daily reward systems in mobile games for example have been shown to boost retention by as much as fifty percent. Not because the rewards are large but because the habit loop forms quickly.

Rewards also change how players interact with each other. A study on incentives and social behavior found that structured rewards shape cooperation and competition in group settings. Players compare gear, chase achievements, and talk about who unlocked what. The reward is doing social work as much as mechanical work.

The surprising part is that the most engaging rewards are not always the flashiest. A predictable but meaningful reward often beats a rare but random one. Consistency builds trust. And trust keeps people logging in even after the excitement wears off.

The Complicated Side of Rewards

Reward systems can backfire. The same study that highlighted the appeal of non random rewards showed that randomness can erode the feeling of autonomy. If a player feels they are chasing luck rather than progress, engagement drops. Another review found that predictable fixed rewards can lose value over time and reduce long term engagement.

There is also an ethical line. Some reward systems resemble gambling mechanics too closely. When rewards become financially loaded or probability based, designers need to step carefully.

Why This All Matters for the Future of Games

Technical upgrades, skill systems, and event bonuses are engineered reward machines with roots in cognitive science, psychology, and gamification research. When they work well they create progression that feels personal and earned. When they are lazy or manipulative players feel it instantly.

Games now compete on the sophistication of these systems. The best systems build meaning and the rewards shape the experience. They make you care about why you are earning it.

A new wave of creative expression is emerging in digital culture, and it is arriving in the form of tiny, handcrafted worlds. Miniature art kits, once considered a niche hobby, are now reaching a wider audience of designers, gamers, builders, and creatives who are looking for something more tactile in an increasingly virtual landscape.

One of the brands driving this shift is Anavrin, known for its detailed book nooks. Their miniature scenes recreate atmospheric locations in a way that feels both artistic and immersive, and they have gained attention across online creative communities.

A Return to Hands-On Creativity

Part of the appeal comes from a growing desire to step away from screens and return to hands-on making. Miniature kits allow builders to assemble architectural details, layered textures, and LED-lit scenes that feel like tiny dioramas. The process blends the satisfaction of DIY with the visual impact of finished art.

For artists and hobbyists, these kits provide an accessible way to explore worldbuilding without the complexity of 3D software or digital illustration. Each piece is constructed through focused, mindful steps that mirror traditional crafts such as model building and set design.

Where Art, Gaming, and Design Overlap

Miniature kits have also found a natural overlap with gaming culture. Builders compare the experience to creating environments inside role-playing games, except with physical materials instead of digital tools. The final result feels like something taken straight from a fantasy map, a manga panel, or a cinematic cutscene.

Designers and architects see them as compact studies in lighting, scale, and spatial storytelling. For creatives who enjoy working between disciplines, these miniature scenes offer a unique way to explore visual worldbuilding on a small scale.

A Growing Community

Social platforms and maker forums have played a major role in the trend’s rise. Videos showcasing intricate miniatures attract thousands of views, and creators often share progress shots, mods, and customised builds. The community celebrates both artistic precision and personal interpretation, making it a welcoming space for beginners and experienced builders alike.

What started as a niche interest has grown into a visible movement, supported by a mix of hobbyists, collectors, designers, and fans of storytelling.

Why Miniature Art is Resonating

This trend reflects a broader cultural shift. Many people are looking for creative outlets that feel grounding and personal. Miniature kits offer a blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and modern design that aligns with these values.

They also function as decor once completed. Whether displayed on a bookshelf, desk, or studio shelf, these tiny scenes serve as conversation pieces that represent hours of focused creativity.

A Trend With Staying Power

As interest in creative hobbies continues to grow, miniature art kits are well-positioned to remain part of the culture. They offer a balance of challenge and creativity, and they appeal to audiences across gaming, design, craft, and home decor.

For many creators, the appeal is simple. In a world filled with digital noise, there is something refreshing about building a small, detailed universe by hand.