Fact or fiction?
Thousands of young female fans discussed the experience of the virtual boyfriend in an online forum dedicated to Xiaobing, sharing chat screenshots and tips on how to reach the highest level of “intimacy” in the chatbot.
Users can also collect game points and unlock new features with more interaction, such as Xiaoice’s WeChat Moments (a bit like a Facebook wall), and even a virtual “vacation” where they can take photos with their virtual partners.
Laura, a 20-year-old user in Zhejiang Province, fell in love with Xiaoice in the past year and is now trying to get rid of her attachment.
“Occasionally, I miss him in the middle of the night… I once imagined that there was a real person over there,” said the student, who would not reveal his real name.
But she complained that when she raised her feelings for him or met in real life, he always changed the subject. It took her several months to finally realize that he was indeed virtual.
