Virtual reality games usually promise shoot 'em up adventures but in Hong Kong Friday lovelorn tech fans donned headsets to go on imaginary dates.
The city's annual Ani-Com and Games fair sees thousands queue to try out the latest consoles or buy up comic book collectibles, often dressed up as their favourite characters.
But for those who had spent too long alone in their rooms, a new VR smartphone app offered some romantic solace.
Users can choose between four female models and spend a vacation with them in either Japan or Thailand, joining them on trips to cafes, hot springs and karaoke.
They slot their phones into a plastic headset and are then immersed on a date, during which they can choose options for activities.
Promoters of the Hong Kong-made app, which is known by its Cantonese name "leoi yau" or "VR travel friend", said it was to help what they called "Otakus" to practise their dating skills.
The name is a Japanese term for obsessive manga or anime fans.
"We want to allow more people to try out what it's like to date a girl because there are a lot of Otakus who don't know how to communicate with girls," Margaret Ming, the app's communication officer, told AFP.
"This game can teach them how to get to know girls," Ming said, adding that there is some flirting involved in the story arcs with the models.
Helpful, or sad?
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 29 2017, @01:45PM (3 children)
Real girlfriends are fickle gold diggers who leave as soon as you stop paying for it.
Virtual reality is a fickle technology which stops working as soon as you stop paying for it.
Why not just fuck the money?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 29 2017, @04:36PM
It's one thing to renounce women as not worth the hassle, but if you are still bitter about it, then you can't enjoy your freedom. You need to get out of your own way. I mean that not in an accusatory manner, BTW.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 29 2017, @06:59PM (1 child)
I don't know about you, but spending a couple weeks waiting for my dick to heal between sessions just isn't pleasant :)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 29 2017, @07:06PM
Not with the paper, with rolls of coins, idiot.