Namco of Japan has come up with the perfect answer for people who’d like a
pet but haven’t the space to keep it or the desire to clean up after it
(W000/53281). Namco has created a virtual pet for your PC that reacts to its
masters actions. The control software recognises trigger words and phrases
spoken into a microphone—by checking them against its list. If the pet
owner says “dinner” or “walkies”, the pet makes an appreciative noise or wags
its tail. Scolding triggers sulking. Sounds suspiciously like a giant tamagotchi
to us…
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