Living the Dream: Work in a virtual convenience store

8:00 PM on 02.01.2010   |   Dale North

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At Destructoid we're always talking about "Living the Dream." The phrase refers to a lot of different things for us. In its most general form, it's about how we love that we do this for a living. It's about ow we've made jobs and a web company doing this. Amazing. Other times it's a bit more tongue-in-cheek, like in the old days where we'd sleep 10 to a room to cover an event. We'd use a Doritos bag as a sleeping bag.

Speaking of Doritos: There's a dream that I'd like to live that's even more personal. I'll come right out and say it: I love convenience stores. I love the candy, meat snacks and varied drinks. Even more than the convenience stores that you and I are used to, I love Japanese ones. Konbini, they call 'em. Where else can you get porn mags, hair gel, a hot lunch, beer, and a tiramisu for dessert, all in one place? As a kid, I'd walk to the same Japanese konbini about 3 times a week just to hang out and buy weird candy. Fond memories.

I'd love to work in one to see what it's like. Temporarily. That's the idea behind upcoming Taito DS game Minna no Konbini, or Everyone's Convenience Store. You'll see in this video that you can stock onigiri (rice balls), rip the top of the vending pack of gum, vend frozen drinks [fail for not mixing melon and strawberry] and so much more. How exciting! Catch falling goods in a basket, but avoid the rats (?!). Finally, check customers out and warm up their meals in the microwave. Inspiring.

You even vend oden, the boiling stew that both Nick Chester and Jim Sterling are highly opposed to. Jim said, "God, I can still smell that stuff."