Looking for Love in China? Get Into Esports

For many couples, a relationship starts with a swipe of a finger or a glance across a crowded room. For Gao Yuchen and Li Zhaoxuan, it all began with a bloody battle on the online shooter game Apex Legends.

The college students admired each other’s ability to slaughter their rivals inside the game’s digital battlefield. After a few games, they began chatting, and then Gao took the plunge. “I played it cool,” he said. “I waited and added her after a few days.”