Takashi Murakami Is Working On His Own Twist On Tamagotchi Virtual Pets
By Mikelle Leow, 04 Jan 2022
In a time of introspection, more people have been caring for flowers and succulents as they would with pets. Plant parents—and even those who aren’t blessed with a green thumb—have a new friend to look forward to: Takashi Murakami’s take on the famed Tamagotchi virtual toys from the 1990s and 2000s.
The Japanese pop artist revealed in a new Instagram post that he has spent the past year or so developing a children’s “handheld nurturing game” inspired by the egg-shaped electronic toy, which would mark his first foray into games.
True to his art style, the toy is depicted as a flower with pixelated petals.
Murakami added that former Sega designer Yoshihisa Hashimoto, known for directing Sonic Unleashed and the Hedgehog gaming engine, will develop the game.
The toy will bloom into fruition pretty soon—Murakami expects a summer 2022 launch.
[via Hypebae and Boing Boing, images via Takashi Murakami]