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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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 29 2017, @02:05PM (3 children)
So why even get a girlfriend then? Is it just for the free lays* and hugs, then?
I was lonely and now I have a boyfriend. I couldn't be happier. He's the most reserved, kind, understanding and affectionate person I've come to know. It also helps that he's one of the smartest people I've ever met.
Personally speaking, I just cannot 'connect' with someone that gossips all day and whom I can't share my intellectual pursuits with.
* Not the chips, mind you.
(Score: 2) by Nuke on Saturday July 29 2017, @07:51PM (2 children)
AC wrote :
Partly. As you seem to be a woman you probably do not appreciate how overwhelming a man's sex drive can be to him. It can be torture. Many women do like sex but in most cases it is more akin to liking a box of chocolates or seeing a good film - not in the same league at all. That does not mean men are sex maniacs (but are in some cases) but the unsatisfied drive can mentally exclude everything else and lead to depression or suicide.
AC wrote :
Ideally you need the co-incidence of three co-incidences :- (1) You are sexually attracted to someone you have "met"; (2) Someone you have "met" is sexually attracted to you; (3) Someone you have "met" shares the same interests as you. Note that you need to have "met" them, ie be in a social situation where conversation is able to occur - I might be sexually attracted to Miss World, but I have not "met" her.
To have all these co-incidences co-incide is rather a tall order, so some compromise must be accepted. I am married, with mutual sexual attraction, but our interests only partly co-incide. My wife is not interested in my hobbies of car mechanics, electronics, or writing; but we can both travel to interesting places and talk about Shakespeare. If I had held out waiting for a girl who was interested in car mechanics and electronics I would never have had a GF as I never "met" such a girl, although I am sure there are some in the world.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 30 2017, @03:47AM
It sounds like these people need to be introduced to something called masturbation. Oh, wait, that's not enough; they're being 'tortured' when they can't find someone who will have sex with them. What a toxic idea. As expected of filthy normies who are sexually attracted to real people.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 30 2017, @11:54AM
As you seem to be a man you probably do not appreciate how overwhelming a woman's chocolate drive can be to her. It can be torture. Many men do like chocolate but in most cases it is more akin to liking sex or seeing a good film - not in the same league at all.