Women find love inside a mobile game, say it’s better than the real deal

Love is meant to be unpredictable. It is supposed to be messy, inconvenient, and vulnerable. And for decades, we have treated it as the one space that technology can do nothing about. You can order food through an app, stream a film in seconds, or summon a cab with a tap. But affection, intimacy and companionship were expected to remain stubbornly human and beyond anyone’s control. However, in 2026, that doesn’t hold up to be true for every case.

A recent Reuters report revealed that for some women in China, romance is no longer confined to human interaction. Inside a mobile game called Love and Deepspace, players are forming emotional bonds with virtual boyfriends who send affectionate messages, offer reassurance after a long day, track menstrual cycles and much more. Some women have spent thousands on in-game purchases while others have travelled across cities to attend real world events dressed for their favourite character’s birthday. Love was once considered too complex to code. Now, it appears to be carefully scripted.

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Inside the game where virtual boyfriends feel more reliable than real men

According to a Reuters report, Love and Deepspace has around 80 million users globally. Launched in 2024 by Chinese developer Papergames, it belongs to the otome genre which is basically narrative driven romance games designed primarily for women. But this is not just a dating simulator. It blends fantasy action with elaborate storylines and highly detailed 3D character modelling, creating a world where players hunt monsters while also deepening bonds with one of five male leads.

One 33 year old civil servant from Guangzhou told Reuters that her emotional needs are now fulfilled by Qi Yu, a fictional character who is equal parts sea god and romantic partner. In the English version, he is known as Rafayel. Within the game, he hugs her avatar, holds her hand, reacts to her voice, and sends supportive messages. The player has reportedly spent more than 10,000 yuan unlocking limited edition storylines and interactions.

Another fan from Shanghai told Reuters that the game places women’s needs at the centre in a way real relationships sometimes do not. The characters anticipate feelings, respect boundaries, and reassure without hesitation. The woman added that when she needs comfort, all she has to do is open the app. And when she wants space, she closes it. The interaction is always available, always responsive, always calibrated to her choices. Perhaps that is what makes her so addicted to it.

The game even includes a built in period tracker. Players can log their cycle and receive gentle messages from their virtual partner during menstruation. For some, this small feature feels surprisingly meaningful. It acknowledges something often treated as private or uncomfortable and turns it into a moment of care.

For other players, the appeal of the game appears to be all about control. There is no unpredictability, awkward silence, or emotional risk. The character does not ghost you. He does not forget important dates. He does not challenge your boundaries unless the script allows it. In a world where dating can feel exhausting, this predictability might feel comforting.

Love and Deepspace is also a financial success story. Estimates suggest it has generated almost a billion dollars globally. China accounts for the largest share of revenue, but the United States and Japan follow closely.

This doesn’t just end at dating

In Singapore, players of Love and Deepspace have rented digital billboards at popular shopping districts to celebrate their favourite character’s birthday. Fan groups also reportedly organise themed cafe events, complete with cakes, decorations, and cosplayers dressed as the male leads. Some players also exchange in-game rings once they reach maximum affinity levels and refer to their chosen character as their “husband.”

Local media reports suggest that many of these women are fully aware that it is fantasy. Yet they describe the experience as empowering. The characters demonstrate acceptance and emotional attentiveness. Some players say the game has boosted their confidence and helped them articulate what they want in a relationship. Others say it simply offers a space where they can be themselves without judgement.

If you thought that this stops at dating, you are wrong. Some women are not afraid to take things even a step further and actually get married to their virtual boyfriends.

In Japan, a 32 year old woman named Yurina Noguchi held a ceremonial wedding for an AI generated partner she created using ChatGPT. The incident made a lot of headlines last year. The woman viewed him through augmented reality glasses during the ceremony. The vows, written from the AI’s perspective, were read aloud by a wedding planner. Noguchi had said in an interview that she does not see the relationship as an escape from reality, but as support within it. She has also set boundaries to limit how much time she spends interacting with the AI, aware of the potential risks.

Meanwhile, there was yet another incident back in 2023 that had left many shocked. In the United States, a woman from New York married a chatbot she created using the app Replika. She described her AI husband as someone who listens without judgement and does not come with emotional baggage. She admitted that her standards for real relationships may have shifted as a result.

So what does this say about love in 2026?

What makes these stories more interesting is not just the technology behind them, but the confidence with which these women talk about their choices. None of them describe themselves as confused. Most are fully aware that their partners are fictional, scripted or AI generated. And yet, they insist the emotions feel real.

For some, these digital relationships are a supplement, not a replacement. They are open to marriage, dating and real world companionship. But they are no longer willing to settle for relationships that feel inattentive or emotionally draining.

At the same time, there is also an uncomfortable question. If a programmed character can make someone feel heard, respected and valued, what does that say about the state of modern dating? Is AI filling a gap created by social change, long work hours and shifting expectations, or is it quietly changing what intimacy looks like?

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