Since virtual pets first hit the market in mid-190s, their popularity has boomed worldwide. Nowadays, there are many examples of this type available on the market, and the online world is not without its share of virtual animals cleverly designed as well.
Just like an animal in the flesh, artificial animals are often cute and appealing, and can really brighten up anyone's day. Just like a real dog, virtual dogs require a great deal of care and attention and, although much of this is done "virtually." However, one has to make sure that you give your pet the best possible care, in order to have a significant effect on their "life."
The first example of collection of these creatures in a software environment was Puppy Love. Published in 1986 on the Macintosh platform, the game was developed by Tom Snyder Productions. This idea was later used in another game called Dragon Quest V, which was released in 1992 by Chunsoft.
Numerous variations on the theme have been quick to follow, with 190 being a particularly active period for many software developers. The decade saw the Dogz output in 1995, with Catz makes its commercial debut the following year. The two would later be merged into a franchise known as Petz. Perhaps the most famous virtual animals, however, the Pokémon were released by Nintendo in 1995. Bring the simulation concept of home computers in millions of homes around the world, the franchise is still very popular to this day, and it is virtually laid the foundation for the hordes of virtual pets who have followed over the next few years.
One of the most popular virtual pet sites these days is Disney Club Penguin today. Intended for children aged 6 to 14 years, the site provides users the opportunity to create their own penguins and participate in a variety of interesting activities.
Neopets is another popular site, and has consistently earned high praise from its online debut in 1997. The site offers a wide range of games, simulated worlds and gaming environments, and there is also a community exclusively populated by other pet owners.
Finally, it may want to check Webkinz, which provides access to a virtual pet after entering the secret code that comes with the purchase of a real plush Webkinz.
virtual pets and play involving them are obviously immensely popular with children around the world, although questions have been raised as regard to their suitability for young audiences as well. Many of these games involve gameplays lasting several days and even weeks or months, and you can take a strong piece of the time that would be better spent in the study. In fact, many schools around the world now prohibit students to play these games during school. Although these games have some value in terms of teaching children about chores and priorities and for the actual preparation pet ownership, it would be better to limit their use by younger children.
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