# 2. History and Concept

If you were born in the 1980s or 90s, chances are you will have owned or at least seen a Tamagotchi device. These were plastic little handheld digital games that could be carried around in your pocket or on a keychain. Your Tamagotchi was a virtual pet you had to feed, put to sleep, play with, and generally care for to ensure its survival.

Over 82 million units of the original Tamagotchi devices have been sold globally since 1996, demonstrating the massive appeal of virtual pet games. Tamagotchi became a cultural icon, signifying a global fascination with digital companionship. The stakes were high; if not cared for properly, the pet would die, requiring the player to start over.

