Rafayel’s girlfriends organized a spectacular drone show, decorated high-speed trains with his photos, and rented malls across China for parties to celebrate their lover’s birthday.
The birthday boy, who is a virtual character in the romantic mobile game “Love and Deepspace,” which has attracted millions of young women from China and beyond, was not present at every event.
The game, which was released last year, combines monster-hunting action and occasionally raunchy cutscenes in a futuristic world where “Love knows no bounds,” according to Shanghai-based developer Papergames.
And its realistic 3D character modeling, immersive narratives, and chance to interact with five distinct virtual boyfriends captivate players.
The game has received more than $500 million worldwide on the Google Play store and Apple’s App Store since its January 2024 release.
Market research firm Sensor Tower reported to AFP that about 40% of its revenue comes from abroad.
These virtual companions provide emotional fulfillment for many more than just entertainment.
A 25-year-old office worker named Liu Xue likes to think that Rafayel and her relationship to real people are romantically involved.
At a birthday party in Beijing, she told AFP, “I would say to myself or to my inner circle of close friends that we are lovers.”
In reality, I don’t believe I need company.
He regularly visits Liu, comforts her when she’s down, and even updates her on her menstrual cycle.
She said, “It’s like emotional sustenance.”
However, this attachment has a price.
Players frequently spend a lot of money on in-game purchases to unlock additional storylines and interactions with their favorite characters, despite the fact that “Love and Deepspace” is free to download.
There are similar games with similar themes, but few have the same reach and popularity. The game does not offer women partners.
According to third-party surveys, between five and ten percent of “Love and Deepspace” players are male.
Better than reality, in my opinion.
Wang Yaya, a 23-year-old university student, has spent more than 70 000 yuan ($10,000) on the game and related merchandise.
She told AFP, “I’m happy I paid for the emotional value.”
Fans use their money to fund activities like those to commemorate Rafayel’s birthday, where they pose for photos with cardboard replicas of the heartthrob and exchange handmade goods.
Wang, a seven-year veteran of console games like “Love and Deepspace,” attributes the lack of emotional support from their parents as children to her and her peers’ willingness to spend.
She continued, “Many of my friends are the same.”
And some players find virtual romances to be much more appealing than actual dating.
Liu claims she has lost interest in dating real men after discovering “Love and Deepspace.”
She referred to the wider genre of romantic games, which was created in Japan, as “playing otome games is especially nice and even better than real life.”
Liu Yuxuan, 22, sees her life’s connection with Rafayel in particular as a major priority.
“Because everyone has secrets, some of which you can’t share with others.” You can talk to him when you start the game, she said.
She said, “I can show him my love without any reservations,” and he will do the same for me.
Rafayel claims that this kind of devotion can only be found in the real world.
Another player, who uses the name Zaylia, summarise the appeal of the game for her fellow players, saying, “It fulfills our fantasy of being in a relationship.”
