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: 2) by Magic Oddball on Sunday July 30 2017, @06:48AM
It's only from a Red Piller's resentful perspective that the theory looks remotely accurate in reality. Heck, the next sentence you have alone indicates that it's wrong: most 22-year-old guys do have relationships with women their age, and the vast majority of 30-year-old guys are either in a relationship or can get dates if they want to. That is, assuming the 30-year-old guys aren't targeting women young enough to still be in college.
This snarky commentary on a rant by a resentful 'Former Nice Guy' [mightygodking.com] covers much of the rest. Here, I'll quote a few relevant bits: