In Japan, playing video games isn’t really considered to be a “geeky”, boys’ hobby as much as it can be in the west. The rise of smartphone games in particular have made playing video games in public totally normal, and you’re just as likely to see a young, besuited salarywoman (virtual) button-mashing away on the train as you are a teenage boy.

This commercial for smartphone MMORPG Avabel Online shows what we mean! In it, a group of female friends (who are actually budding actresses who won a competition to be the promotional “faces” of the game), are shown playing together in various locations – a cafe, someone’s bedroom, and more. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also a pretty cool ad to watch.

When you’ve been friends with your girl gang for years and you’ve pretty much exhausted all the social hangout options, why not don some armour and get together to fight mythical beasts in a magical land? All you’ll need is a smartphone and some bosom buddies!

These girls are having a lazy sunday at someone’s house – the perfect time for a spot of gaming!

And these girls have gathered to hang out and grind together over lunch at a cafe.

All they have to do is log in, and they’re suddenly transformed into their battle-armour clad avatars!

Erm, it seems even the salaryman eating spaghetti has also been transformed by the power of the girls’ magic!

Our favourite part was when the girls’ battle cry caused the nearby salarymen’s hairpieces to go flying!

Check out the video here!

Proof that in Japan, playing games can be a social activity that both guys AND girls can enjoy!

Avabel Online is produced by ASOBIMO and is available for Android via Google Play and for iOS via the App Store.

Source: YouTube – Asobimo Games
Screenshots via YouTube – Asobimo Games