"Seducing Men for Money" ... Controversy Erupts Over China's "Flower Snake Game" That Tops Charts Immediately After Release

Changed to "Romance Scam Prevention Simulation" after controversy
Developer says, "No intention, hopes for open dialogue"
Still ranked among top games despite controversy

'The "Flower Snake Game" poster that sparked a gender discrimination controversy in China. Steam capture'

An online game from China that centers on the theme of women deliberately seducing men to obtain money or valuables is sparking a gender discrimination controversy.

According to the BBC on July 7 (local time), the "Flower Snake Game" (Laon?youxi, also known as "Revenge on the Flower Snakes"), which topped the popularity charts on the game distribution platform Steam immediately after its release in China last month, is being criticized for inciting misogyny within China.

In the game, players take on the role of a male protagonist who must deal with women who approach him and attempt to seduce him for his money. Because of this setup, critics argue that the game reinforces offensive gender stereotypes. On the other hand, some defend the game, claiming that it raises awareness about romance scammers who exploit relationships for financial gain.

Xu Yikun, an artist, pointed out, "The very name of the game is already misogynistic," and added, "Whenever a boyfriend has a lot of money or a woman puts effort into her appearance, the label 'flower snake' is attached." She specifically criticized the fact that all "flower snake" characters in the game are women, as well as lines in the game such as, "If you want to see how much a man loves you, look at how much money he spends."

As criticism persisted, the developer changed the game's title to "Romance Scam Prevention Simulation" and explained, "We did not intend to target women. We simply want to encourage open dialogue about the emotional boundaries and gray areas in modern relationships."

Players who support the game argue that "not all women are flower snakes, and romance scams are a serious problem," insisting that the criticisms are excessive.

Despite the controversy, the game continues to maintain a high ranking in popularity, even surpassing last year's major hit "Black Myth: Wukong" in China.