Exploring Online Worlds: Inside The Dark Majesty Of NeoPets

[Over at sister ‘online worlds’ site Worlds In Motion, Mathew Kumar continues to expand the Worlds In Motion Atlas, and this time, he looks at the tremendously popular, but slightly baffling Viacom-owned NeoPets - s’fun having him puzzle over it.]
Name: NeoPets

Developer: NeoPets, Inc.
Established: November 1999
How it Works: NeoPets is entirely browser-based and runs in HTML and Flash. Navigation and gameplay are accomplished via mouse and keyboard input.
Overview: NeoPets is, essentially, an online “virtual pet” simulation, where players take care of pets by buying them food, toys, clothes, and other accessories using a virtual currency called Neopoints, which can be raised by playing games and other methods. Players can interact with each other through in-game mail, discussion boards and groups.

Payment Method: NeoPets is free to play and ad-supported, but also offers a subscription, starting at $7.99 for one month’s access, which removes (some) adverts and allows access to more areas and […]

Original post by editors@gamesetwatch.com (Simon Carless) and software by Elliott Back