"Love Plus +" Atami Campaign Postmortem [Part 1]

As the banner says, the "Atami Love Plus + Matsuri Campaign" has begun. Time to pack up your swimming gear, sunscreen lotion, and hit the hot beaches of Atami, you ronery people.

Did promise a "post"-mortem report after the campaign was over, but that ended in July. 

I wonder why I only remembered it now..... 

Anyway, here's your full report, from the perspective of a lucky participant for the whole trip.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

「Atami Love Plus + Festival Campaign」was a joint event for the DS Love Plus software and the onsen city of Atami, Shizuoka prefecture. This was to spur domestic travelling among prefectures in an attempt to boost spending in a stagnant local economy. The campaign went on till August 31st, where a stamp rally event took place, leading guests to follow the AR markers (Augmented Reality) and taking commemorative photos together at each marker with your loved one. There are 3 tour packages to choose from for their respective DS lovers, for a measly sum of ￥39,800.

However, to fully enjoy the experience, an iPhone was required to access the AR app and take such photos. 

Prior to the event, KONAMI released the app in question as a free upgrade for those attending the Atami campaign. The must-get upgrade consist of new summer clothings for each DS girl, with a scheduler, clock, notebook and camera application. Available in 3 versions, Tanakane, Kobayakawa and Anegasaki who also manage the user's schedule for the day by reminding him/her. 

For those wondering how this Augmented Reality worked, an example of the AR experience, accessible only by iPhone has been provided;

 The campaign officially started on July 10th, with the guest that we are following happened to attend the very same day, who documented his journey with photos to share.

• 9.00 AM; Under Bridge Parking in Marunouchi, Tokyo

Guests bring their loved ones at 9.00AM to rendezvous at the meeting point. Tour coaches are already on-site, ready to depart for Atami. As the guest we're following bought a Takane Manaka package, he shall ride the Manaka Bus. And I think that's his DS(?)

• 11.00AM; Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. 

Two hours later into the ride, the entourage took a break at Hiratsuka, Kanagawa. Took the opportunity to photograph the other buses their respective boyfriends traveled on

• 12.30AM; Sea-side Water Park, Atami City. 

Guests have arrived safely at Atami. Weather was abnormally hot, but the sight of Love Plus souvenirs blew away all heat. Just realised that Atami is located just about less than an hour's drive south of Yuguwara, a town which filmed Gaki no Tsukai's Batsu Game. God, I love that show. xD

After this was the opening speech by KONAMI executive, town mayor and producer, but I'll spare you the boring details. So we'll move onto the main course, some AR markers and a trip around town....

Until disaster struck!

It seems the current version of the "Love Plus +" application for guests attending the tour does not support video/photo capturing. One must reach a Wi-Fi and download the latest update, which is highlighted earlier at the top of the post.

Here's a closer look at the AR. It works pretty much like QR codes you'd find in Japan, except they carry more information and specific for the iPhone to detect the code, load and display it on the camera app.

After updating, pictures may be taken for personal use, such as the following;

A little big for some reason. Okay, not "little" then.....

Commemorative photos are taken and later emailed to the guest after the event. Example as follows.

A worshiper of  Rinko was spotted too. We shall follow his adventures as well with random photos of himself as an example for others to imagine the AR effect.

At each AR marker, there is a stamp rally where one gets a unique stamp at their respective marker.
Unsure what awaits one when all stamps are collected as the guest did not complete it.
So I'll skip the stamp pictures.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3