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]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the new update of the game "World Beyond," which introduces a new sub-gameplay combining pet-catching and auto-chess elements, but faces backlash due to increased monetization costs, specifically the price hike of in-game currency for card draws [1][19]. Gameplay Exploration - "World Beyond" has introduced a new gameplay style that combines pet-catching with auto-chess, providing a fresh experience for players who may not have encountered auto-chess in otome games before [4][6]. - The auto-chess gameplay is simplified compared to other games in the genre, with fewer levels and a focus on PVE, making it accessible for new players [6][14]. - The game features a unique mechanic where players can capture creatures during battles, which adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay [6][9]. Commercialization and Player Reception - Despite a slight improvement in sales rankings, the game has received significant negative feedback primarily due to the increase in card draw prices from 300 to 400 in-game currency, overshadowing the positive reception of the new gameplay [3][19]. - The price increase was justified by the developers as a result of enhanced card quality and additional effects, but this explanation did not alleviate player dissatisfaction [17][19]. Industry Trends - The article notes a trend among female-oriented games to explore new gameplay mechanics, indicating a shift in player expectations towards more engaging and varied gameplay experiences [20][26]. - The success of "World Beyond" in integrating different gameplay styles reflects a broader industry movement towards enhancing playability in female-targeted games, moving beyond traditional narrative-driven formats [22][26].

Core Viewpoint - The release of "Three Kingdoms Fantasy Continent 2: Song of the Heroes" has faced a rapid decline in reputation within a week, despite a strong initial performance on the iOS free game chart [1][3]. Performance Summary - "Song of the Heroes" debuted at the top of the iOS free game chart but fell to 36th place by May 23, and briefly entered the Top 10 of the revenue chart before dropping out of the top 20 [3][5]. - The game's rating on TapTap plummeted to 5.3, with a significant number of one-star reviews, indicating a poor reception among players [3]. Comparison with Predecessor - The predecessor, "Three Kingdoms Fantasy Continent," launched in 2020 and consistently ranked in the top 10, ultimately generating over 10 billion in revenue, establishing itself as a phenomenon in the card game genre [5]. - In contrast, "Song of the Heroes" has struggled to maintain a competitive position, being compared unfavorably to lesser-known games [5]. Artistic and Gameplay Changes - The project team acknowledged the importance of art style in attracting players, noting that the original game's aesthetic successfully drew in a diverse user base [6]. - The sequel has undergone significant changes in art style, moving away from the previous aesthetic that appealed to many players, which may alienate existing fans while attempting to attract new ones [10][12]. Narrative and User Experience - The narrative approach in "Song of the Heroes" has been criticized for lacking depth and failing to engage players, with a focus on a "camera-like" character perspective that diminishes player involvement [10][12]. - The storyline has been described as superficial, with the game failing to effectively utilize the Three Kingdoms backdrop, leading to dissatisfaction among players [12]. Company Background and Future Outlook - Lingxi Interactive Entertainment, a subsidiary of Alibaba, has seen mixed results in its gaming ventures, with internal criticisms regarding its cultural alignment with Alibaba's broader goals [16][18]. - The company aims to become the third-largest game company in China within eight years, but the poor reception of "Song of the Heroes" poses significant challenges to achieving this goal [18].

以下文章来源于36氪游戏 ，作者刘崇江 36氪游戏 . 以科技视角，解析游戏产业发展浪潮。 Steam的真人恋爱影游评论区， 比机场见证了更多的深情。 文 ｜ 刘崇江 编辑 ｜ 刘士武 来源｜ 36氪游戏（ID：gh_1991890d79a9） 封面来源 ｜ 《完蛋！我被美女包围了！》 办公室内，一名总裁打扮的女演员不仅没穿鞋，还直接把脚放到桌子上，让玩家为她做起了"脚部SPA"。巨大的特写中，连拇指的汗毛都依稀可见； 镜头一转，另一名衣着更为清凉的女演员躺在床上，对着玩家做出各种挑逗性的动作，而玩家则手持玩具枪，屏幕下方也恰逢其时的出现了"对准 胸"、"对准屁股"等选项文字…… 这是某款主机平台真人恋爱影游中的片段。 这款游戏在上线之前，便打出了"超大尺度""几经删减"的擦边营销。然而横流肉欲的画面外，弹幕却是齐刷刷一片"没边硬擦"、"太尬了"、"多看一眼都 是对温苒（其它游戏中人物）的不尊重"。 评价诸如此类，玩家的人心去向自然可见一斑。这款游戏最终也"不负众望"，惨淡收场。 时间回到2023年10月18日，一款名为《完蛋！我被美女包围了》（以下简称《完蛋！》）的真人恋爱影游横空出世，仅在当年销量便达19 ...