“Hatappi,” a game for virtual farm experiences will give a chance to receive real vegetables and fruits you grow. (Courtesy of LD Inc.)
“Hatappi,” a game for experiencing farm work on smartphones, is getting popular among homemakers in their forties and fifties. In the game, we can enjoy tilling the land, planting seeds, pest control and harvesting of vegetables. The point is we can actually receive the harvested vegetables and fruits. LD Inc. (Meguro, Tokyo) developed this game and the number of users reached 60,000.
In the game, we select equipment and materials such as plastic greenhouses or tunnels according to the guidance and continue cultivation of crops. We are supposed to do necessary tasks like picking or thinning of buds and branches in response to the growth condition of crops. The contents that are too difficult for beginners are also intentionally included.
This is how it goes. First, we buy currencies for the game by credit cards and others to get fertilizers and pesticides necessary for farm work. If we can grow crops until we can harvest them, we can exchange the virtual crops with real ones. The approximate cost needed until harvesting is shown in advance. For example, it is estimated that “Akihime” strawberries will cost JPY2,190 per two packs (12 to 18 pieces in one pack). However, if you forget watering or neglect your work, the cost will be higher.
There are about 170 farming households nationwide including agricultural corporations that have made a contract with LD Inc. The company also started doing business with JA Ehime Chuo, an agricultural co-operative in Ehime Prefecture. The strong point for farmers is that they can expand the market through this game as well as they can sell their products for the price fixed in advance.
The field tours outside the game are also planned. Last year, the company called for those users who wished to participate, and took them to a farmhouse growing lettuce in Miyotamachi, Nagano Prefecture, which contributed to dietary education of children.
Hisato Miyazaki, president of LD Inc., says “through this game, I want to introduce so far as what each farmhouse is particular about and promote branding of agricultural products.”
(Sept. 3, 2014)