Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female Players
This study conducts qualitative research on female players of otome games, exploring the mechanisms of romantic relationship formation within these games and their impact on perceptions of real-life intimate relationships. The findings reveal that the parasocial romantic relationships formed in otom...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cogitatio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Media and Communication |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/8662 |
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| _version_ | 1850195671547641856 |
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| author | Hao Gao Ruoqing Guo Qingqing You |
| author_facet | Hao Gao Ruoqing Guo Qingqing You |
| author_sort | Hao Gao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study conducts qualitative research on female players of otome games, exploring the mechanisms of romantic relationship formation within these games and their impact on perceptions of real-life intimate relationships. The findings reveal that the parasocial romantic relationships formed in otome games are not entirely detached from reality; instead, they are embedded in daily life through game interaction mechanisms and the players’ internalized imagination, thereby influencing the reconstruction of real-life intimate relationships. Female players show a high degree of acceptance and immersion in these romantic relationships, focusing on the emotional support provided by male characters. These relationships play a positive role in fulfilling emotional needs, regulating negative emotions, constructing self-identity, and redefining perceptions of intimacy. The intangibility of physical contact remains the only significant shortcoming, as perceived by a minority of players, pointing to a primary direction for the future development of otome games. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8bd91dcba6f64f5e8b9481ec29ca6c05 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2183-2439 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Cogitatio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Media and Communication |
| spelling | doaj-art-8bd91dcba6f64f5e8b9481ec29ca6c052025-08-20T02:13:41ZengCogitatioMedia and Communication2183-24392025-02-0113010.17645/mac.86623739Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female PlayersHao Gao0Ruoqing Guo1Qingqing You2School of Journalism and Communication, Nanjing Normal University, ChinaSchool of Journalism and Communication, Nanjing Normal University, ChinaTelevision School, Communication University of China, ChinaThis study conducts qualitative research on female players of otome games, exploring the mechanisms of romantic relationship formation within these games and their impact on perceptions of real-life intimate relationships. The findings reveal that the parasocial romantic relationships formed in otome games are not entirely detached from reality; instead, they are embedded in daily life through game interaction mechanisms and the players’ internalized imagination, thereby influencing the reconstruction of real-life intimate relationships. Female players show a high degree of acceptance and immersion in these romantic relationships, focusing on the emotional support provided by male characters. These relationships play a positive role in fulfilling emotional needs, regulating negative emotions, constructing self-identity, and redefining perceptions of intimacy. The intangibility of physical contact remains the only significant shortcoming, as perceived by a minority of players, pointing to a primary direction for the future development of otome games.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/8662emotional feedbackotome gamesparasocial relationshipsparasocial romantic relationshipsvideo gamesself-perception |
| spellingShingle | Hao Gao Ruoqing Guo Qingqing You Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female Players Media and Communication emotional feedback otome games parasocial relationships parasocial romantic relationships video games self-perception |
| title | Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female Players |
| title_full | Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female Players |
| title_fullStr | Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female Players |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female Players |
| title_short | Parasocial Interactions in Otome Games: Emotional Engagement and Parasocial Intimacy Among Chinese Female Players |
| title_sort | parasocial interactions in otome games emotional engagement and parasocial intimacy among chinese female players |
| topic | emotional feedback otome games parasocial relationships parasocial romantic relationships video games self-perception |
| url | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/8662 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT haogao parasocialinteractionsinotomegamesemotionalengagementandparasocialintimacyamongchinesefemaleplayers AT ruoqingguo parasocialinteractionsinotomegamesemotionalengagementandparasocialintimacyamongchinesefemaleplayers AT qingqingyou parasocialinteractionsinotomegamesemotionalengagementandparasocialintimacyamongchinesefemaleplayers |