dexinwin A growing form of immersive entertainment in China known as “romance companionship” script games has come under scrutiny after media investigations found that some venues were blurring the line between role-playing, emotional companionship and sexualized interactions.
Known locally as“lianpei”, or romance companionship, the activity is a variation of the increasingly popular script-murder industry. Players pay several hundred yuan to take part in a scripted story, while a professional host, known as a DM, plays the role of their fictional romantic partner.
Unlike traditional script games, where the host mainly explains rules and advances the plot, romance-companionship sessions often make the DM an important character. Hand-holding, hugging and other forms of physical interaction can become part of the experience.
Recent media investigations, however, have found cases in which some venues allegedly went beyond ordinary romantic role-playing. Reports described interactions including kissing and other intimate physical contact, while some businesses reportedly told customers that additional adult-themed or BDSM-related elements could be arranged.
The controversy has led to the term “soft pornography” being used in Chinese media and online discussions to describe some of these services. The criticism is not directed at romantic storytelling itself, but at situations in which intimate contact appears to be marketed as a major attraction rather than serving the storyline.
The trend has also raised concerns about age verification. Investigations reported that some venues claimed not to admit minors but failed to consistently check identification. One report cited a case involving a 16-year-old girl who reportedly spent about 170,000 yuan on romance-companionship script games over two years and accumulated around 100,000 yuan in debt.
Industry participants interviewed by China Newsweek said physical interaction can be legitimate when it serves the plot and respects the player's wishes. Some experienced players and operators also argued that excessive behavior by individual venues should not define the entire script-game industry.
At the same time, the commercial incentives are becoming increasingly visible. Romance-companionship sessions generally cost more than conventional script games, with reports putting typical spending above 300 yuan per person. Some sessions can last eight to 14 hours, while players may repeatedly choose particular DMs based on their personalities and style of interaction.
China introduced national management rules for script-entertainment venues in 2022, covering content management, minors' protection and safety requirements. The recent controversy has renewed calls for venues to enforce age verification and establish clearer boundaries for physical contact and adult-themed content.
The debate illustrates a broader challenge for the rapidly evolving experience-economy sector. Romance-companionship games are designed to provide emotional immersion, but when commercial pressure encourages increasingly intimate interactions, the distinction between entertainment and other forms of paid companionship can become difficult to maintain.
For the industry, the question is increasingly how to preserve immersive storytelling while ensuring that consent, age restrictions and personal boundaries remain clear. As the “romance companionship” model continues to expand, those rules may become just as important as the scripts themselves.
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