Unexpected Far-Right ‘Cute Goth E-Girl’ Meme Emerges from Anti-Extremism Game

Pathways, an interactive learning game created in partnership with a political literacy platform and backed by government funding, has unintentionally given rise to a “cute goth e-girl” meme. Originally designed to combat anti-immigrant extremism, the character has now become a symbol embraced by right-wing circles.

Crafted by local councils in collaboration with the platform, Pathways is a straightforward visual novel web game that places players in the role of Charlie, a college student who frequently encounters strange scenarios related to political radicalization. It’s presented as a resource for educators aiming to counter ideologies rooted in violence, hatred, or intolerance.

Critics have pointed out that Pathways suffers from a lack of depth in its content and choices. The notion that a brief, slideshow-like narrative could effectively tackle the complexities of extremism is somewhat absurd, and the rigid, heavy-handed choices may alienate the very audience it seeks to engage.

However, it’s the online right that has catapulted Pathways into meme culture. This has led to a surge of AI-generated “cute goth e-girl” fan art inspired by Amelia, the game’s antagonist who embodies a mix of racism and alternative style.

Amelia has gained traction on alt-right subreddits, where users have found her to be the embodiment of their idealized character. This popularity has spilled over to social media, with users generating countless images of her for the far-right community to enjoy.

Some of the responsibility for this phenomenon falls on the design choices made for Pathways. Featuring a goth-inspired female character as the only one with a unique look, and linking her affinity to the protagonist’s support for anti-immigration views, was certainly a bold decision. It seems the designer may not have fully grasped teenage culture. Nonetheless, the Reze/Amelia meme circulating on certain subreddits has proven to be quite entertaining.