Metal Gear Developers Addicted to Dating Sim

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Metal Gear Developers Addicted to Dating Sim
October 30, 2009

" Perhaps its a good thing your employees are addicted to the product they created.

Hideo Kojima, executive corporate officer of development house Kojima Productions, has ridden the waves of success with the Metal Gear, Castlevania, and other popular game series. But according to an interview with Famitsu (via 1UP), he seems rather surprised at the reaction of his employees for Konami's latest game, Love Plus for the Nintendo DS. Unlike many of the games they've developed over the years, Love Plus isn't action packed, but rather lets the player build a relationship with a virtual girlfriend.

So what's the big deal? In a nutshell, his employees are addicted. But then again, it may also be promotional hype to boost the overall sales. Are they actually sneaking off to the toilet to get a few minutes in with their virtual ladies? That's what Kojima claims. Kojima even told of one friend who found a man in a movie theater whipping out his DS and setting up the virtual girlfriend in the next seat.

"All everyone talks about is their 'girlfriends,'" Kojima told Famitsu regarding staff members. "I see them all standing in the shadows looking serious, and I go and see what's up and they're all bragging about their girlfriends--like, 'Oh, she changed her hairstyle for me' and so on. I'm not gonna give his name, but there's one guy who hasn't had a girlfriend for decades and talking about his virtual friend makes him so incredibly happy."

Akari Uchida, producer of Love Plus for publisher Konami, even added that a programmer cornered him in an elevator and offered thanks for the game. Surprised, Uchida could only smile. Game sales speak volumes about its addictive quality in Japan, going through 124,000 copies simply by word of mouth. An astonished Uchida said that he knew the sales would start off slow and accumulate over time, but the game has flown off shelves quicker than expected. "

:source: Source: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Nintendo...news-4990.html:view: Homepage: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/

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Originally Posted by rart

...kojima even told of one friend who found a man in a movie theater whipping out his ds and setting up the virtual girlfriend in the next seat.

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LOL, that's so sweet :wacko:

It's funny you both posted this at the same time, but Rart won the race.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rart

"All everyone talks about is their 'girlfriends,'" Kojima told Famitsu regarding staff members. "I see them all standing in the shadows looking serious, and I go and see what's up and they're all bragging about their girlfriends--like, 'Oh, she changed her hairstyle for me' and so on. I'm not gonna give his name, but there's one guy who hasn't had a girlfriend for decades and talking about his virtual friend makes him so incredibly happy."

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:mellow: Now that's just weird...

/facepalm, what a game :P

Is this only for the DS?

http://kotaku.com/5243198/love-plus-...rience-covered

I remember a game like this already on DS? You basically asked and answered questions to make the girl you choose to like you.

I've always thought of Hideo as a genius for his Metal Gear series(not to mention his great Boktai series). But if he can create a dating sim where people are taking it this serious, then him being a genius is confirmed.

Love_Plus_JPN_NDS-iND

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Originally Posted by Funkin'

I've always thought of Hideo as a genius for his Metal Gear series(not to mention his great Boktai series). But if he can create a dating sim where people are taking it this serious, then him being a genius is confirmed.

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the article doesn't say anything about hideo kojima having anything to do with development of love plus. the producer of love plus is named akari uchida. kojima says that his employees seem continually distracted by this girlfriend simulator, that's all. it's an observation about gamer culture in japan: kojima's metal gear games have never been popular in japan, where novelty/casual games (such as virtual pets or girlfriend simulators) routinely surpass metal gear in both sales totals and review scores.

so when is this game being released in the states? :happy:

Dedicated otaku buying 9 NDS and 9 copies of Love Plus

Dedicated otaku buying 9 NDS and 9 copies of Love Plus, Sony still has much to learn about marketing from Nintendo.

http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/1...sa/?cid=332422

Well.. I think a break of Stealth games did him very good.. It really does prove that he is a genius.