He's like Joseph… but that dinosaur isn't as nice as my Monkey pet. Just sayin'.
Joseph and I have been married for 19 days now. I know what you’re thinking: snail’s pace, right? But, no, I haven’t taken leave of my senses (and no, you haven’t missed the chance to wear a hat). I’m talking about Mini Gay Boyfriend, a new game for the iPhone and iPad.
The brainchild of former Electronic Arts designer, Michael Othen, Mini Gay Boyfriend allows the player to choose from nine potential boyfriends (or ‘mini gays’). The game itself is simple: you play a series of mini-games (three at each level) with a view to activating the five relationship stages as you progress. For example, you start at flirting, move to dating, accelerate to romance, and so on.
It follows that as I have progressed up the relationship ladder, Joseph expects more from me. Ugh. I know! I must memorise colours, pop bubbles, keep our pet happy with food and games (he’s called Monkey, say hi!) and keep the romance alive by creating the perfect picnic – all whilst balancing my morning tea on the train.
All in all, I like it. It is quirky in its approach, and the gameplay is incredibly easy to pick up (aside from the initial frustration of failing some of the games – at times, Joseph has been far too patient with me). Even the introductory email you can send to friends may be onto something: “Why waste time and energy on real life relationships, when you can have a mini gay boyfriend in your pocket?”
To this, I think the creators might have a point. My own personal Tamagotchi (remember those?) certainly distracts me from the fear of endless nights in, listening to power ballads and a pointedly contemporary fear of being eaten by Alsatians. If anything, it is a quirky distraction from whatever hassles of daily life befall you.
Mini Gay Boyfriend is available to download now for the iPhone and iPad (iOS 3.2 and above) from the App Store and costs 59p.
Now, if you excuse me, I have a picnic to prepare.
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