While Japan is home to , there aren¡¯t many that are specifically based on any one computer game. Presumably the game makers keep a tight grip on merchandising of their products and have, until recently, seen no reason to branch out into the caf¨¦ or restaurant business. However, Jan. 28 will see game makers Square Enix opening a karaoke bar in Roppongi called . Based on a bar that existed ¨C up till now ¨C only in the popular game ¡°Dragon Quest,¡± Luida¡¯s Bar will serve food and drinks that reflect the game, such as (steamed buns) or ¡°elf medicine.¡± Of course, the beautiful maidens who will be serving these concoctions will be dressed in ye olde fantasy world costumes.

Square Enix is not the first company to attempt a brick-and-mortar spin-off. Last year Polyphony Digital opened a ¨C right next to the Twin Ring Motegi race circuit ¨C where visitors can play Grand Tourismo 5 while sipping their cappuccinos. But while Luida¡¯s Bar had been opened hot on the heels of the release of ¡°Dragon Quest 9¡± for the DS, some game fans were left wondering why the Grand Tourismo cafe opening hadn¡¯t coincided with any notable activity for the game itself.

Even further back, in November 2005, Konami opened a game-themed caf¨¦ in Harajuku which was based on the eponymous dating-sim game. Drinks were served by hot young things in school uniform, presumably to a crowd of otaku too busy playing online games to notice the cuteness of the staff. While the game itself appears to be still going strong with , Tokimeki Memorial Cafe itself only lasted a year (it moved to Akasaka and became a ¡°live house/bar,¡± minus the Tokimeki connection). Perhaps the real world version wasn¡¯t as popular as the virtual space? If this was the case, Luida¡¯s Bar might not be around so long.