Celebration of love: Women posing during a birthday celebration event for Rafayel at a shopping mall in Beijing. — AFP
RAFAYEL'S girlfriends went all out to celebrate their lover’s birthday, renting malls across the country for parties, decorating high-speed trains with his photos, and even staging a dazzling drone show.
But the birthday boy was absent from every event – he’s a virtual character in the romantic mobile game “Love and Deepspace” that has won over millions of young women in China and beyond.
Fans pool their money to organise events – such as those to celebrate Rafayel’s birthday – where they pose for photos with cardboard cutouts of the heartthrob and exchange homemade merchandise.
Launched last year, “Love and Deepspace” blends monster-hunting with sometimes-raunchy cutscenes in a futuristic world where “love knows no bounds”, according to Shanghai-based developer Papergames.
And players are hooked on its realistic 3D character modelling, immersive narratives and the chance to build relationships with five distinct virtual boyfriends.
For many, these virtual companions offer more than entertainment – they provide emotional fulfilment.
Liu Xue, a 25-year-old office worker, likens her connection with Rafayel to a real-life romantic relationship.
“To myself, or to my inner circle of close friends, I would say that we are lovers,” she said at a birthday event in Beijing.
“I don’t think I need company in real life.”
He accompanies Liu daily, comforts her when she’s down, and even keeps her up-to-date on her menstrual cycle.
“It’s like emotional sustenance.”
This attachment, however, comes with a price tag.
While “Love and Deepspace” is free to download, players often spend heavily on in-game purchases to unlock additional storylines and interactions with their favourite characters.
Wang Yaya, a 23-year-old university student, has spent over 70,000 yuan (RM42,912) on the game and related merchandise.
“I’m happy to pay for the emotional value,” she said. — AFP
