"I’m sorry, I didn’t get back to you sooner, but I was in the bath. You should see my tub. It’s enormous and there’s a big window in front of it. Message me soon," writes cabin attendant Katsuko Shinjo. There is never any hanky-panky. Progress is measured on a chart that shows how many of the woman’s 52 secrets the man has been able to uncover and what percentage of her heart he has won. At the end of the relationship, which can last from one to three months, a successful lover will be given an everlasting commitment of love. An insufficiently attentive suitor is dismissed as a creep. Bandai says Love by e-mail is one of its most popular mobile Internet games with a strong following among men in their 30s. Some customers have become so enamoured, that they have called the company asking for their electronic lover’s phone number. "Men don’t get as many e-mails as women so they appreciate this service, which ensures that there is always an interesting message in their in-box, even if it is from a virtual companion," said Toru Itabashi of Bandai Networks. He said a version launched last month for women - My Prince Charming - fared less well, attracting only 1,000 subscribers in its first three days. — By arrangement
with the Guardian |
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