Virtual romance

JAPAN: So far, video games let you battle monsters, find treasures or build cities. The latest craze in Japan promises adventure of a different sort: the chance to win the heart of a sexy avatar. A Japanese city is even offering romantic weekend getaways for men and their virtual girlfriends.

Love Plus is a “dating simulation” video game for Nintendo DS, in which players must first win the affections of a high-school girl, maybe even steal a kiss, and then aim to have a relationship with her. A speech-recognition function allows him to have short conversations with her. If he earns enough “boyfriend power” points, he wins a virtual weekend in the city of Atami with his sweetheart.

Traditionally a honeymoon destination, Atami recently started the campaign aimed at video game players. Since July, nearly 2,000 Love Plus fans (and as many avatars) have visited the city. The men can book special dinner-for-two deals, or buy fish cakes decorated with the name of their sweetheart. “Atami has always been a romantic place, but now it is a romantic place for a modern generation,” says Sakae Saito, the city's mayor.

Hotel staff behave as if a couple is checking in.

At the Hotel Ohnoya, staff members act as if there are two people checking in to the hotel. Sometimes fans even pay the room rate for double occupancy. “We try not to ask too many questions,” Atsurou Ohno, the hotel’s managing director, told The Wall Street Journal, “because we want them to be able to remain immersed in that game world.”