Young Chinese women find virtual love in Deepspace

Rafayel's girlfriends went all out to celebrate their lover's birthday, renting malls across China for parties, decorating high-speed trains with his photos and even staging a dazzling drone show.

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BEIJING -

But the birthday boy was absent from every event. He is a virtual character in the romantic mobile game, Love And Deepspace, that has won over millions of young women in China and beyond.

Launched in January 2024, the game blends monster-hunting action with sometimes raunchy cutscenes in a futuristic world where "love knows no bounds," according to Shanghai-based developer Papergames.

And players are hooked on its realistic 3D character modelling, immersive narratives and the chance to build relationships with five distinct virtual boyfriends.

Since its release, the game has earned more than US$500 million (S$668 million) worldwide on the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.

About 40 per cent of its revenue comes from overseas, said market research firm Sensor Tower.

For many, these virtual companions offer more than entertainment — they provide emotional fulfilment.