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Nostalgia: the Tamagotchi, an old phenomenon that is not completely forgotten
Nostalgia: the Tamagotchi, an old phenomenon that is not completely forgotten – (France 2)
Coming from Japan, the Tamagotchi was one of the stars of the late 90s. This electronic toy in which you have to take care of a small virtual animal still arouses the interest of a community of enthusiasts, but also of psychologists.
The Tamagotchi has driven many people crazy, and you just need to have one in your hands for the memories to come back. A virtual friend who left his mark on an entire generation. Tamagotchi means “cute little egg” in Japanese. This toy was born in 1996. An employee of the Bandai brand invented this virtual pocket companion. Millions of them are quickly sold around the world. Children aged 8 to 12 are infatuated with this pocket animal, and the parents who take care of it try to survive the pressure of the beeps.
A new model has just been released
Among these children who have grown up, some have not been able to grieve, including Beatriz Olivera Marquez, who has more than a hundred. At home, as in the office, she continues to take care of it every day. On the web, there is a community of enthusiasts, with rare models that can sometimes be bought and sold for a small fortune. A new model has just been released, in the form of a connected watch, in color, and more advanced.
This toy makes psychologists curious. Badly behaved, the Tamagotchi becomes unbearable. Overfed, he becomes obese. Neglected, it causes anxiety. Each time, it is the child who is responsible. “The child will be able to test the limits of how he can take care of it, not take care of it or take care of it poorly. With this form of feedback, since ultimately, his Tamagotchi can die, (.. .) he will perhaps become aware of the limits”explains Michael Stora, psychologist and virtual world expert.
