This ‘Tamagotchi vape’ dies if you stop puffing

A satirical device called the Vape-o-Gotchi links a virtual pet’s survival to the user’s vaping habits — puff to keep it alive.

How it works: Developed by Rebecca Xun and Lucia Camacho for New York University’s “Stupid Hackathon” in February, the device combines an Elf Bar BC5000 vape with a screen displaying a Tamagotchi-style pet. The pet stays healthy when the user vapes. If the user stops, it deteriorates and eventually “dies.” The creators reversed their original concept — intended to discourage vaping — for comedic effect.

Why it matters: The device ties physical nicotine use to a digital reward system, demonstrating a literal interaction between vaping and gameplay mechanics. “Originally, the idea was to do this for good, because I would like to quit vaping,” Xun told The Times. “But it’s more fun and more stupid if we use this power and harness it for evil and make myself more addicted.”

What’s next: Xun and Camacho said they are developing a “good mode” where the pet would react negatively to overuse. They signaled that they may also publish the design online for others to recreate it.