We all know the traditional and oft repeated image of the male gamer: the shockingly reclusive individual, engaging in long hours of solitary gameplay, with his face cast in the shifting colors and patterns of the TV or computer screen that is often the only illumination one can find in the domain of the male gamer. Although this depiction isn’t as widespread as it used to be, with more homo sapiens of all ages and both genders joining in on the fun, it is apparently still frequent enough for Sega to unveil what they are calling the new line in male gamer companionship.

No, it’s not Ping-chan. It’s Ema (Eternal Maiden Actualization), a diminutive digital damsel who is being aimed at the 20-something male market. Ema stands no more then 15 inches tall but apparently her capacity for affection -- namely yours -- is a great deal larger than that. Ema will perform a variety of tasks for her (it’s?) owner on command such as singing, dancing, the distributing of business cards and even kissing. When Ema is set into love mode, she will respond to the infrared signature put out by the human body by leaning in and pressing her head against it in a simulation of a kiss.

A representative of Sega Toys, Minako Sakanoue, stated that this was not only a breakthrough in the world of male gaming but also a shift in the image of robots in general. “Strong, tough and battle-ready are some of the words often associated with robots," Sakanoue explained, "but we wanted to break that stereotype and provide a robot that’s sweet and interactive.” Ms. Sakanoue also added that Ema was "very lovable and, although she’s not a human, she can act like a real girlfriend." For the moment, Ema is only available for sale in Japan but is a possibility, depending on Ema’s sales, that she may be making her way to other shores.