她花几十万“购买”爱情：重氪、梦稿，乙游背后的情绪产业链

Core Insights - The rise of "Otome" games, designed for female players, reflects a significant shift in the gaming industry, driven by emotional consumption and a growing market for female-oriented content [2][19][20] - Players are increasingly investing substantial amounts of money in these games, with some individuals spending over 160,000 RMB, indicating a trend towards high emotional investment and consumer behavior [1][3][6] - The market for Otome games is expanding rapidly, with the female gaming market in China reaching 8 billion RMB in 2024, a 124.1% increase year-on-year, highlighting the growing influence of female gamers [6][19] Group 1: Emotional Consumption - Players are willing to spend large sums on in-game purchases and related merchandise, driven by emotional connections to characters and narratives [1][3][19] - The concept of "emotional consumption" is emerging, where players seek fulfillment and identity through their virtual relationships, reflecting deeper societal trends among women [20][23] - The Otome game market is evolving from a niche to a mainstream segment, with major companies like Tencent and NetEase entering the space, indicating its commercial viability [4][19] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The total revenue for popular Otome games like "Love and Deep Space" reached approximately 5.87 billion RMB in 2024, outperforming other well-known titles [5][6] - The number of female gamers in China has surpassed 300 million, accounting for nearly half of the total gaming population, with a significant portion engaged in Otome and related genres [6][19] - The rise of "Guzai" (merchandise) consumption, where players purchase character-related products, is contributing to a robust secondary market, further enhancing the emotional connection to the games [8][9] Group 3: Emerging Services - New service industries, such as "Cosplay commissions" and "Dream manuscript" artists, are developing around the emotional needs of players, providing personalized experiences that deepen engagement [10][13] - The "Dream Girl" service industry is gaining traction, where players can hire individuals to embody their favorite characters, reflecting a unique intersection of gaming and real-world interaction [10][12] - Traditional retail spaces are adapting to this trend by creating immersive experiences centered around Otome game IPs, enhancing customer engagement and driving foot traffic [15][18] Group 4: Cultural Impact - The phenomenon of Otome games is reshaping cultural narratives around female identity and emotional expression, as these games provide a safe space for exploring relationships and self-worth [19][20][23] - The emotional investment in these games is not merely a financial transaction but a reflection of broader societal issues, including relationship anxieties and the search for identity among young women [20][23] - The industry is urged to balance commercial interests with social responsibility, ensuring that the emotional needs of players are met without fostering dependency on virtual relationships [23]