Why millions of Chinese smartphone users are obsessed with a virtual frog
“Why is my frog son still not home?”
The hottest smartphone game in China is a game that you barely need to play at all.
Tabikaeru: Journey Frog is about a Japanese pet frog that doesn’t interact much with its owner. There are only two scenes: A house and a courtyard outside. You collect clover leaves from the courtyard and use them to buy things for the frog while he chills in the house, eating or reading whatever he wants.
You also need to pack up food and tools for the frog, allowing it to set out and travel to a range of Japanese tourist sites. In return, it will send souvenirs and snapshots to you… if it feels like it.
You see, the decision about when to leave and how much to send back is entirely up to the frog. And when it’s away, pretty much the only thing you can do is stare at the empty house and wait.
