In 2007, a Hong Kong company attempted to release a version of the popular Japanese virtual pet game Tamagotchi in which you would take care of a gang member instead of a cute little creature. The game, which was swiftly taken off the stores, allowed users to have their gang members smoke, drink alcohol, and engage in knife fights.
This was not the first time the Tamagotchi franchise had sparked controversy; in 2005, a Japanese business developed a version of the game using characters from the popular manga and anime series Chobits, which sparked outrage owing to the characters' sexualized nature.
The 2007 Hong Kong game, on the other hand, was by far the most contentious, and was perceived as a clear attempt to cash in on the city's gang culture. Fortunately, the game was pulled before it could cause any real harm, but it serves as a reminder of the power that virtual pets may have, for better or ill.