virtual AND reality... not just virtual reality.

This article talks about how a virtual girlfriend game called Love+ is being used to boost tourism in Atami, Japan. Not exactly 'social' in nature but interesting enough to warrant a discussion on how the virtual world can be used to influence behavior in the real world. It almost (but not quite) relates to Foursquare or SGVNGR. While I find this amusingly tragic, I would be willing to bet that our bratty future kids will be all over these cyber/reality combo vacations. Ugh.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703632304575451414209658940.html?mod=WSJ_hps_editorsPicks_2

"Korean barbecue-inspired restaurant Hien says a quarter of its customers are currently game-related. For 5,000 yen, customers get a special Love Plus+ menu of Japanese beef and side dishes.

Kanji Nagasawa, Hien's owner, says he is accustomed to making small talk with customers, but the Love Plus+ crowd often sits in silence and plays the game while eating."