A surprising story out of Japan today as cnn.com reported a 27-year old Tokyo man has married a video game character.You read that correctly, a grown - or allegedly grown - man has married his virtually girlfriend from the Nintendo DS dating game "Love Plus."
The man who understandably only gave the name "Sal 9000" married Nene Anegasaki this past week in front of a collection of friends and broadcast on the internet for everyone to see.
According to the CNN report, Sal 9000 understands his marriage is not legally binding - however - he said a living, breathing girlfriend is no longer a necessity:
She doesn't get angry if I'm late in replying to her. Well, she gets angry, but she forgives me quickly.
The CNN video is below:
The game as interactive simulation where virtual girlfriends interact with players communicating primarily through speaking to the DS although the game eventually prompts users to "kiss" the screen. That's not to mention the possibility of the game's other potentionally freaky features.
Sorry English speaking gamers, the game is a Japanese-only title thus far.
Sal said he has even taken Nene with him on vacation to Disneyland and Guam:
If addiction is playing this every single day, then you might call me addicted
Another video report on Sal 9000 and his new bride:
Nevertheless, if this Japanese man doesn't signify the decline of physical communication as a result of the digital revolution, I don't know what is.
What do you think? Can you replace human interaction with a video game? What video game character would you date?
