Controversy Erupts Over Sexist Themes in China's Latest Video Game

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:43:21 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A new Chinese video game, initially titled 'Revenge on Gold Diggers,' has ignited debates on gender stereotypes after its portrayal of women as manipulative partners seeking financial gain.

Since its launch, the game has faced backlash for promoting misogyny, resulting in a name change and a ban for the director on social media. While supporters argue it highlights emotional fraud, critics maintain it reinforces harmful gender norms.

A recent video game in China, originally named "Revenge on Gold Diggers," has stirred significant controversy over its portrayal of gender dynamics and prompted intense discussions about sexism within Chinese society. The game's premise centers around male characters lured into relationships by women characterized as manipulative and financially motivated, leading many to decry it as an reinforcement of damaging stereotypes.

The game's popularity surged upon its release in June, quickly topping sales charts on Steam. However, it soon attracted criticism for perpetuating the derogatory label of "gold digger," often assigned to women. In response to the backlash, the creators of Qianfang Studio hastily renamed the game to "Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator," but the change was insufficient to quell the uproar.

Lead director Mark Hu faced bans from several social media platforms following the backlash. The developers claim their intention was to provoke dialogues around emotional boundaries and modern dating, but many critics, including artist Xu Yikun, argue that their model preys on controversy for attention. Xu highlights the misogynistic connotations associated with the term "gold digger," stating it unfairly stigmatizes women in various contexts.

Despite claims from some players that the game does not target either gender, its portrayal overwhelmingly depicts women as schemers seeking money from their male partners. The narrative has sparked mixed reactions, with some media outlets condemning the game for generalizing an entire gender while others praised it for discussing the real issue of love scams prevalent in China.

Compounding the conversation are recent incidents linked to the game's themes, including the reported suicide of a man amid allegations that he was manipulated by a "gold digger." While critics emphasize that such portrayals exacerbate societal gender norms that view women primarily as homemakers dependent on men's financial success, supporters argue that it raises awareness on issues that are seldom tackled openly in Chinese society.

As the game continues to dominate sales, it serves as a microcosm of larger societal debates regarding gender roles, emotional fraud, and the ongoing struggle for women's rights in modern China. Many fear that the game reinforces division between genders and further entrenches the patriarchal beliefs that have historically marginalized women within the culture.