What Are Chinese Female Players Seeking in Games?

- A Focus on Game Design in Submitted Works to Cheng Guang -

Abstract

With increasing self-awareness among women due to their growing societal presence in China, there is a noticeable emphasis on empowering them in otome games. The trend of ”da nu zhu” (大女主), or Big heroine, prevalent in content targeting women, is also common in games, where their systems prioritize playability. This paper focuses on the game design of works submitted to the Chinese online platform Cheng Guang and examines the needs of Chinese female gamers. Compared with otome games in Japan and the US, it aims to illuminate the distinctive features of women's games in China, shaped by its unique social context.