Japanese mobile game rewards players with real fish

by Kyle Orland { Feb 15th 2008 at 6:00PM }

It used to be that just getting a high score was the be all and end all of game accomplishments. More recently, amassing Achievement points became the all-consuming passion of gamers. Now even that seems passé as a new Japanese cell phone game rewards played with real, raw fish delivered right to their door.

Ippon Zuri ("pole-and-line fishing" in English) lets DoCoMo users in Japan's Fukuoka area set bait, cast their lines and wait for the virtual fish to bite. When they do, a slot machine game appears and, if all three numbers match up, the fish is caught and, as Pink Tentacle describes it, "a message is then relayed to the wholesaler, who picks up the real-world equivalent from the local seafood market and delivers it, whole and raw, to the player's doorstep." Kind of reminds us of Activision's Atari 2600 badge program, except updated for the new millennium ... and with raw fish!

We think this is a great idea, and can't wait for the concept to be applied across the gaming world. Win a real trophy for success at virtual sports games! Win real cash for success at virtual game shows! Win a real disembodied skull for success at a first-person shooter! Er ... scratch that last one.

[Via BB Gadgets]

Tags: delivery, fish, fishing, food, Japan, prizes, sushi, weird, yum

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Donald @ Feb 15th 2008 6:08PM

HOW I DIAL FOR FISH??

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 15th 2008 6:11PM

I love breaded fish =)

makishima @ Feb 15th 2008 6:12PM

Achievment Unlocked: Striped Bass 50pts

Nick the Hero of Canton @ Feb 15th 2008 6:14PM

I haven't had store bought fish in a while (except thing's like crab) because my Dad goes fishing in Alaska for a week each year, we have a freezer full all the time.

Not this year though, this year my Dad is debating between going to Fiji and Australlia to see family or buy a new TV. Yeah, I'm not kidding, he's considering buying the TV.

ill trooper @ Feb 15th 2008 6:24PM

Buy the TV, video-conference with mildly unamused family on it?

ill trooper @ Feb 15th 2008 6:22PM

Cool! I like that. I want mine delivered 'sans mercury,' however.

Daran @ Feb 15th 2008 6:24PM

Ma can I poop yet?

Jack @ Feb 15th 2008 6:24PM

Microsoft or Sony got nothing on fish.

Speaking of fish I can't help but hear the little song that plays when you catch a fish in Animal Crossing.

Arnie @ Feb 15th 2008 6:31PM

How about women or weapons? I would love to get those delivered to my door!! Lol

NukeAssault @ Feb 15th 2008 6:37PM

A man gives you fish you won from a video game. Is this awesome?

Dig @ Feb 15th 2008 6:41PM

Yes. It is very awesome.

Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 15th 2008 7:12PM

Awww man... America sucks... I guess Les Schwab has free beef... I guess that's America's fish...

AMERICA!!!

dizzy @ Feb 15th 2008 7:20PM

lol I used to work for those guys a few years ago. Most ridiculous promotion I had ever heard of. FREE BEEF WITH THE TIRES YOU BUY!

Raikage Apple freaking DF (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Feb 15th 2008 8:09PM

That's what America is all about... Free Beef...

Oh and I just might know something that tops that, I work at a grocery store and we sell a razor (kinda like the ones you can buy replacement heads for) and guess what it comes packaged with?..........................

WRONG

A pair of headphones...

Mr.ESC @ Feb 15th 2008 7:23PM

Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today

Teach a man to play cell-phone games and you feed him for a lifetime

Batzarro @ Feb 15th 2008 7:46PM

Fish, I get. But I get allergic reactions just looking at crabs.

Hey, adapt the system to Leisure Suit Larry...

Mr.ESC @ Feb 15th 2008 9:40PM

You want a little cartoonish man delivered to your door?

wickedpheonix @ Feb 15th 2008 7:48PM

Dude... imagine getting free beer for getting higher level achievements in a game (like, say, getting a 3:1 KDR in a full game that passes some algorithm to make sure it wasn't staged) would be SO FRIGGING AWESOME!!!

Especially because I'm too young to buy beer yet :P