/u/you_require_more hits it the nail right on the head in: https://www.reddit.com/r/seduction/comments/k4zyh/i_hate_the_game_but_seemingly_have_to_play_it_to/

This is easy bro. I've been running 'game' for a few years now, and by far my favourite aspect of knowing what to do is that you can pretty much control (manipulate?) whatever outcome you desire.

You want an LTR. No problem.

The amazing thing about biology/nature is that it does most of the work for us, if we're willing to let mother nature take care of it and not try to fuck it up with our own preconceived ideas about what we think needs to be done/not done.

There are going to be two key components to getting what you want here:

i. As you are probably well aware, the bonding chemical for females is oxytocin. Since you are interested in forming a LTR what you really want to be doing is making sure you're pumping her sweet little brain with as much oxytocin and dopamine as is possible. Ordinarily the most oxytocin and dopamine is released during orgasm (this is a primary reason [alongside baby-carrying] why females tend to stick with guys that they've had sex with, thats when the 'conversion' typically occurs), but if you don't want to rush into sex, that's fine, but if its doable (and it always is, we'll get to that in p2), then I would recommend it. Otherwise oxytocin is released during bonding moments, most effectively in person, lots of cuddling, touching, and sharing intimate details about each other's lives. If you can get a chick to open up to you about her real thoughts/emotions/desires/struggles/history ect. you're winning the game, and she's bonding with you. Most 'nice' guys are okay at this (although some still fail miserably, because they do not know how to be genuine), what they fail to do is...

ii. Manage Initial Expectations. Period. Exclamation mark.

Guys don't just magically appear in the friendzone (the cursed place where half of the users on here go to die), they put themselves there.

They put themselves there by not managing expectations properly. In your first few (3 or so) interactions with a girl you're going to have set the expectations for a significant portion of your relationship (or lack thereof). If you don't make it clear early on that your intent is at least mildly sexual, she is going to be surprised, and disappointed, later when you spill your guts to her and tell her how madly in love with her you are. They key is to early on establish a vibe (and this can be done a million different ways) that you're INTO her. You don't have to overdo it, you do just have to present yourself as an intimate (and that includes sexual) being, who is interested in her. After that, if she sticks around, she's down. Guys often worry about whether or not a girl likes him. This is retarded. Girls don't know if they do, they don't know they do until the oxytocin floods their sweet little brains and forces them to reverse justify that they, in fact, do. If a girl sticks around, she's down. Until she refuses to speak to you/hang out with you, it's game on.

Moral of the story is don't worry about trying, just be natural, touch, flirt, share, bond, and then get into a relationship. Do not, ever, ever, talk about forming a formal relationship until after you've had sex, or at least been naked together doing something, and even then, let her bring it up. Just keeping pushing that you like spending time with her and prove this by spending time with her. Easy.

Hope this helps you, and happy hunting!