You probably heard of the Nintendo handheld video game called Love Plus, in which the player must work to maintain the relationship. One Japanese college student actually went so far as to have a wedding ceremony for his virtual girlfriend, and then broadcast it with internet speed for all the world to see.
Well this guy is not alone in his desire to combine fantasy with reality, and in fact, seems to be leading the pack as far these ventures go. Because Mashable tells us that:
“The most recent version of the game, which came out June 24, also includes a “field trip,” created in partnership with the seaside town Atami. In 13 locations around the town, players can find 2D barcodes to scan and call up images of the young women in the game. The girls wear different clothing from their typical in-game looks. One hotel has gone as far as putting a barcode in its rooms, allowing players to see their “girlfriends” in a more private setting wearing summer kimonos.”
It is such a popular game that it has actually boosted local tourism! You can’t deny it’s a creative partnership between a town and a video game. And it’s certainly a sign that there is an audience for this sort of promotion.
Wikipedia tells us that the new version also includes fitness modes and sick days, along with many new ways to interact with your girls. Yes, the only way to play is as the male character, who has his choice of three different characters to engage in a relationship. Can real girls compete?
Tags: Internet Speed, Virtual Reality