The Rise of Otome Games in China: Exploring the Social and Psychological Traits of Otome Game Players

In recent times, the popularity of otome games in China has soared, with the genre becoming increasingly mainstream and witnessing the emergence of highly popular otome mobile games. In contrast, otome games have not received the same level of attention in Europe and America. Consequently, there are likely distinctions between Chinese otome game players and those in other countries. Despite this, scholarly research on Chinese otome game players is scarce. Existing studies often rely on singular theories, such as the Uses and Gratifications Theory or the Parasocial Interaction Theory, to analyze this demographic. To address this gap, this paper adopts a comprehensive approach, integrating both the Uses and Gratifications Theory and the Parasocial Interaction Theory. Utilizing a combination of survey and interview methodologies, the study investigates the social and psychological characteristics of Chinese otome game player groups based on media attributes.