Controversy Erupts Over 'Gold Digger' Video Game in China**

The release of 'Revenge on Gold Diggers,' since renamed to 'Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator', has divided opinions in China, with criticism targeting its portrayal of women and accusations of reinforcing sexist norms.**

 

A new video game titled 'Revenge on Gold Diggers' has ignited a fiery conversation about sexism in contemporary China. The game, which features male protagonists manipulated by female characters seeking financial gain, drew significant attention upon its debut on the gaming platform Steam. Despite swiftly climbing to the top of the sales charts, it faced backlash for allegedly cementing harmful gender stereotypes.

Players navigate scenarios shaped by their responses to women's financial pursuits, leading to mixed reactions. The backlash was so intense that the game's developers, Qianfang Studio, hastily rebranded it to 'Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator' just a day after its initial launch. Nevertheless, the controversy did not dissipate, culminating in the ban of the game's director, filmmaker Mark Hu, on various Chinese social media sites.

While the developers argue that their aim was to foster open discussions about emotional boundaries and the complexities of modern dating, critics like Xu Yikun vehemently disagree. They contend that the game's very foundation is grounded in derogatory stereotypes, likening the term "gold digger" to an insidious label often affixed to women. Xu emphasized the everyday presence of such sexist language, arguing that it serves to demean women in various contexts, from receiving gifts to simply presenting themselves attractively.

Some players are pushing back against the critical narrative. A 31-year-old player, speaking under a pseudonym, expressed that the game does not target women and insinuated that anyone can fall into the “gold digger” role, regardless of gender. Interestingly, the game exclusively depicts women in these roles, raising eyebrows among those critiquing its representation.

Local media outlets in China have been split over the game's implications. While one newspaper denounced the game for branding an entire gender as deceitful, another publication commended the creators for addressing the significant issue of love scams, which reportedly cost victims around 2 billion yuan (approximately $279 million) in 2023.

Despite the uproar, 'Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator' continues to attract a broad audience, even outperforming the acclaimed game 'Black Myth: Wukong' in sales. Some players argue that the dialogues surrounding emotional fraud are rarely tackled in depth in China, interpreting the game's narrative as a bold move.

However, many women remain concerned about the implications of such portrayals on societal perceptions, emphasizing that the beliefs about women's roles as dependence on men are already prevalent due to the official rhetoric promoted by the ruling Communist Party. As discussions around gender equality remain scant, several women worry the game might engender greater animosity between genders, reinforcing outdated stereotypes that idealize subservient roles for women while positioning men as primary providers.