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'Revenge on Gold Diggers': How a new video game is sparking a debate on sexism in China

The game entitled 'Revenge on Gold Diggers', has topped the online sales charts in China but sparked controversy and claims of sexism and misogyny. In the game, the protagonist Wu Yulun, who was previously deceived by a 'gold digger', seeks revenge. So fierce was the backlash in some quarters that the game developers have quietly changed its name. But that hasn't stopped it from topping the sales charts read more The interactive game 'Revenge on Gold Diggers' was released by publisher Qianfang Studio. Image courtesy: X An interactive videogame in China has caused an uproar and sparked a debate on sexism. The game, entitled 'Revenge on Gold Diggers', has topped the online sales charts but sparked controversy. So fierce was the backlash in some quarters that those behind the game changed its name quietly. But what do we know about the game? Why did it cause such an uproar? Let's take a closer look: What do we know? The interactive game was released by publisher Qianfang Studio. The game's lead is Hong Kong filmmaker Mark Hu. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hu is known for working on Category III films in Hong Kong – which only those above 18 are allowed to see. It hit Steam, a worldwide gaming platform, on June 19. It costs $6 (Rs 515). The platform described the game thus: 'You (the player) will play as the protagonist Wu Yulun, a man who was once deeply hurt by 'gold diggers', and is determined to use himself as bait to fight back against a gold digger organisation of 'emotional hunters'. Step into this grey area called love, navigate between several glamorous and highly adept female characters, and experience an emotional hunt that is gripping with every step.' The full-motion videogame is said to have multiple main characters and 38 possible endings. The game quickly topped the sales chart within hours of the release. In fact, it even entered the top 10 bestselling PC games in China – surpassing games like Black Myth and Baldur 3. Some have suggested the game was made after the suicide of Pangmao, a social media influencer known as 'Fat Cat' in April 2024. His death sparked much online talk about 'gold diggers' with many accusing his girlfriend of being responsible for his death. However, police dismissed the allegations. The game caused an uproar on social media as soon as it was released. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Sparks divisions' Artist Xu Yikun, who played the game, told the BBC it relied on a 'a classic business model that thrives on generating content that sparks debate and divisions'. 'It's a label that's used, all too often, on women,' Xu said about the term 'gold digger'. "Sexist jokes and derogatory terms like these have found their way into our everyday language." 'If you have a rich boyfriend, you are called a gold digger. If you try to make yourself look pretty, you are called a gold digger… Sometimes the label is used on you merely for accepting a drink from someone,' she adds. A cutscene from the game that hit Steam, a worldwide gaming platform, on June 19. Image courtesy: X China is already witnessing divisions over gender with politicians including Xi calling on women to 'embrace their roles as wives and mothers' and the state cracking down on women's rights activists amid calls for gender equality. Though developers attempted damage control by renaming the game to ' Emotional Anti-Fraud Regulator', Hu has now been banned on several Chinese social media platforms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Those who worked on the game have defended it. As game producer Mu Fei told the website Think China, 'We used stereotypical labels combined with layered personalities as a design formula. These characters can love and hate, and players can learn by understanding them… psychology, sociology, communications, and other fields are all part of the game.' Mu said the game was born out of the real-life experiences of those who worked on it. They say they never meant to 'target women' – but instead wanted to have an 'open dialogue about emotional boundaries and the grey zones in modern dating'. Others too have rallied to the game's defence. 'The game isn't trying to say that all women are gold diggers. .. I don't find it targeting either gender," Zhuang Mengsheng, 31, told BBC. 'Both women and men can be gold diggers.' 'I don't get why people are upset about this. If you aren't a gold digger yourself, why should you feel attacked by this game?' a 28-year-old man added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I actually thought the game's creators are very bold. These issues [like emotional fraud] aren't widely discussed enough in China.' Many on social media also echoed these calls. 'How does 'gold digger' equate to misogyny or anti-women? Where's the logic?' one person asked. 'Would men criticise a game if it were titled 'Womaniser Game'?' another enquired. 'This is just to raise awareness of anti-fraud, how is it related to women's rights?' a third netizen wondered. Newspapers divided too Newspapers in China too have taken opposing viewpoints. One piece published in a news outlet in central Hubei said, 'Genuine anti-fraud education should focus on identifying fake identities and scripted manipulation, not on labeling an entire gender as 'perpetrators.'' 'Both men and women alike have committed emotional scams. There are countless examples. But this game deliberately ties fraud to women.' Another outlet in Beijing commended the game for 'creatively strengthening young people's awareness of safety in romantic relationships'. 'We need to put a stop to emotional fraud without delay,' it added. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD