It seems like the Ohnoya Hotel in Atami, Japan, has taken a strong interest in the virtual dating game 'Love Plus,' and is target men with virtual significant others. Putting a new spin on the virtual dating world, Love Plus is now allowing the player to already be in love and dating their virtual significant other.
As part of the game’s intrigue, Love Plus includes 13 authentic romantic destinations and this is what resorts such as the Ohnoya Hotel are using to their benefit. While over 200 Love Plus fans have stayed at the Ohnoya Hotel, over 2,000 fans have visited the resort town.
From local Love Plus themed souvenir shops to tiny black and white squares with 2-dimensional barcodes that allow you to use Augmented Reality software to bring objects of desire to life, to Ohnoya Hotel traditional rooms featuring two sets of futons where one includes a barcode panel for men to visualize their "girlfriends," there’s really no telling how far manga-loving fans will go in this world.
Mangafied Resort Advertising
Ohnoya Hotel Says Yes to 'Love Plus'
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Romance Game-themed Tourism - Tourism businesses can promote their destinations as authentic romantic spots in virtual romance games, targeting enthusiastic game fans who want to experience a different kind of virtual and in-person romantic adventure.
2. Augmented Reality Souvenirs - Souvenir shops in tourism attraction areas can take advantage of the popularity of character-based romance games by providing augmented reality souvenirs, such as 2D barcodes, to provide visitors with a unique interactive experience.
3. Virtual Girlfriend/fiancee Sports Resorts - Resort hotels can offer rooms designed to accommodate gamer fans which include features such as visual panels and other technology to enhance the virtual romance experience, garnering a stream of business from romantic enthusiasts looking for a unique kind of romantic experience.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism - Businesses in the tourism industry can strive to identify and partner with virtual romance game developers in order to market their destinations, thereby increasing tourism and commerce.
2. Souvenir - Souvenir shops in tourism attractions areas can seek creative ways to appeal to virtual romance game fans with their products, such as augmented reality souvenirs, thereby increasing sales and customer engagement growth.
3. Hospitality - Resort hotels, like Ohnoya with its Love Plus themed accommodations, can leverage virtual romance game themes to create unique hospitality experiences for their guests, attract new customer segments and enjoy revenue growth.