opinion

How to Show Retail Customers the Fun of Fantasy Role-Play

How to Show Retail Customers the Fun of Fantasy Role-Play

When people are looking to spice up their sex lives, role-playing is often one of the first options they consider. It can be super fun to shed inhibitions and expectations and leap into the role of a character — so just imagine how hot it could be to go beyond playing the French maid and enter another universe.

Sci-fi and fantasy are a huge part of many people’s sex lives and imaginations. Some folks want their partner to be an alien, have tentacles or look like a post-apocalyptic radioactive reptile, and it’s our job to help bring these fantastic scenarios to life.

This kind of fantasy role-play literally takes sex to another dimension, by incorporating otherworldly creatures like those in science fiction films or fantasy novels. So, let’s talk about what it is, why people like it and how you can serve your customers who are looking to bring their darkest and deepest fantasies to life.

What is fantasy role-play?

Fantasy role-play incorporates science fiction or fantasy elements like aliens, dragons, tentacles, gargoyles, sea creatures or any otherworldly components. It is popular among kink enthusiasts and cosplayers, as well as members of fantasy, science fiction, live-action role-play and gaming communities, but can be enjoyed by anyone who is intrigued by the idea of incorporating fantastical elements into their sex play. Fantasy role-play can be based on anything at all, but it is often inspired by anime, manga, graphic novels and comics.

Why are people into fantasy role-play?

First, because it’s fun! Fantasy role-play can make sex a bit more playful, which can lift and lighten the mood, and it can be validating on multiple levels.

For folks who have been turned on by sci-fi or fantasy creatures, getting to explore that can be a fun outlet that shows them that their “strange” desires are just fine. This type of play can fly in the face of toxic messaging that tells folks that “real” sex involves being penetrated by a penis or shouldn’t involve so many toys and accessories. This also can be validating for queer folks who have been made to feel like their sex lives don’t “count,” while people who have experienced trauma or are experiencing gender dysphoria may prefer using a dildo that doesn’t look like a penis at all. Fantasy dildos give users of all kinds so many fun options, and this has fueled something of a fantasy toy explosion with all kinds of sci-fiinspired designs.

How do you bring fantasy role-play to life?

Fantasy role-play mainly just requires a healthy imagination and enthusiasm, but fun props can help take things to the next level. Luckily for today’s shoppers there are more options than ever, including a whole array of dildos designed to bring fantasy beasts to life. From tentacled creatures to intimidating and ferocious animal-like beings, there’s something for every dark desire. What’s more, fantasy dildos offer new and different textures, so the fantasy experience goes beyond just looking cool and extends to providing pleasure that is as unique as fantasy role-players themselves.

Offering a healthy assortment of fantasy shapes and designs will help your customers explore exactly what kind of being they want to play with. It will also bring them back to your store when they are ready for more!

Make fantasy accessible to your customers.

So, how do you help customers who are interested in fantasy role-play find exactly what they are looking for? The answer is to ask a few key questions to help them zero in on what they want:

  1. What type of fantasy being are they looking to embody or play with? Alien? Dragon? Mythical sea creature? Something totally different?
  2. What size toys are they comfortable with? Fantasy toys, especially dildos, can be larger than typical toys, so help your shoppers find a size that works for them.
  3. Do they need accessories? Whether it’s a harness for their new spiky dildo, costume pieces to complete the look or a waterproof sheet, help them think beyond the product they started out looking for and figure out what else they might need.

Knowing the answers to those questions should go a long way toward finding the right toys and accessories to create the perfect fantasy role-play scenario.

Scales and tentacles might not be the first thing a lot of folks think of when they hear “role-play,” but for folks looking to add some fun and spice to their sex lives, fantasy roleplay might be just the ticket. Finding the right gear to set the mood and do the job can help your shoppers bring those otherworldly fantasies to life.

Rebecca Weinberg is an award-winning industry leader with more than 20 years of experience in the adult industry. She is the president of multi-award-winning pleasure product manufacturer XR Brands.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

trends

Why Retailers Need a Clearer Conversation About Margins

With rising manufacturing costs and living expenses, manufacturers’ suggested retail price (MSRP) no longer aligns with the actual costs of operating a business. This situation calls for a discussion about the current industry pricing landscape, potential adjustments, and how companies can make an impact.

Mersy Love ·
profile

WIA: Perfect Fit Brand's Cee Cee Peters on Building a Lasting Career

For much of her decades-long career in the adult products industry, Cee Cee Peters let her work speak louder than her name. While she built relationships with retailers, became a top salesperson, and watched the business evolve from a movie-dominated marketplace into today’s sexual wellness industry, Peters deliberately kept a relatively low public profile. Raising children during the rise of the internet made that decision especially important to her.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
trends

A Look Inside CC Wellness' Production Process

Stepping through the front doors of CC Wellness’ 215,000-square-foot headquarters, you first encounter the lubricant manufacturer’s comprehensive process in the company’s wall of plaques, which celebrate more than 25 formulas that have received FDA 510(k) clearances for medical devices.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
trends

A Look at the Growing Market for Pleasure-Enhancing Consumables

For decades, the sexual enhancement aisle consisted mainly of pills promising stamina, with bottles and blister packs leaning heavily into themes of masculinity, urgency and performance. The sales pitch was rarely subtle: Take this, and something bigger, harder, longer or more intense would follow.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

5 Ways Pleasure Brands Can Maintain Social Media Visibility Beyond the Algorithm

The most difficult part of managing social media for pleasure brands is my archnemesis: the algorithm. I am sure most people who work in sexual wellness would agree. We are constantly navigating reduced reach, content removal and, in some cases, account bans. That can make connecting with customers feel impossible, but it is not.

Taylor Maness ·
profile

Verifymy's Emma Robert-Tissot on Putting People at the Heart of Online Safety

Warm, friendly and always happy to help, Emma Robert-Tissot has a gift for making even the most complex corners of online safety feel approachable.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

How Sexual Wellness Brands Can Use Emotional Marketing to Build Loyalty

Adult businesses have never had access to every marketing tool available to mainstream brands. Platform rules, advertising restrictions and content policies can limit the options for sex toy manufacturers and retailers. Add a difficult economy and more cautious consumers, and relying on tactics that worked a few years ago may no longer be enough.

Kate Kozlova ·
profile

WIA: Kristin Zuri-Godskind Draws on Deep Expertise to Elevate Sportsheets

After 18 years in the pleasure products industry, Kristin Zuri-Godskind has experienced the business from nearly every angle. Her career has taken her through retail, merchandising, management, distribution, sales, product education and manufacturing, giving her a perspective shaped as much by the sales floor as by the relationships she has built along the way.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
trends

Why Adult Retailers Need Better Training on Disability, Chronic Health

Every customer who walks into an adult store brings a different body, comfort level and set of needs. Retail staff already know how to ask the basics: Do you prefer vibration or suction? Are you using water-based or silicone lubricant? Do you have a latex allergy? What size are you comfortable with?

Mersy Love ·
profile

Anastasia's Bedroom Founder Chelsea Mani Bridges Ecommerce With Local Events

Chelsea Mani spends her weekends at local markets, where she displays an assortment of lingerie ranging from new lace bodysuits and silky robes to carefully sourced, cleaned and pressed vintage pieces. Passersby stop to examine the fabrics, ask questions and sometimes find themselves opening up unexpectedly.

Jackie Backman ·
Show More