Neopets is a free, advertisement supported website based around virtual pets that inhabit the virtual world of Neopia.

Visitors can create an account and take care of up to four virtual pets, buying them food, toys, clothes, and other accessories, using a virtual currency called Neopoints. Neopoints can be earned through playing games, investing in the stock market, trading and winning contests. Users can explore the world of Neopia with their Neopets and interact with each other through the NeoBoards, Neomail, and guilds. In addition to the main site, Neopets also operates a pay-to-play version known as Neopets Premium, which offers an ad-free environment and additional benefits for a monthly fee of $7.99 (USD).

Several issues with the site, such as immersive advertising, gambling-based games, and hacks and glitches have garnered criticism. Fortunately, the publisher has addressed some of these concerns by implementing an “Under 13” button when signing up for the site. “Under 13” Profiles have restricted access to any member using the sites email system and will also be restricted from any gambling and other games that the site owner’s have deemed age inappropriate. Users found breaking any rules set in the Terms and Conditions may have their account suspended or temporarily blocked.

After creating an account, a user creates a Neopet, choosing the name, gender, color, species, and personality of the Neopet. Players may own up to four Neopets per account.
A newly created pet comes with randomly rolled stats, used for battling in the Battledome. Players need to feed and care for their Neopets, as Neopets can grow hungry and get sick, although they will not die if they are neglected. New users start out with a newbie pack, which includes various items. Users can get more items for their Neopets by earning Neopoints, the site’s currency, through various activities including playing games and selling items. Players can interact with their Neopets by reading books to them and playing with them. They can train their Neopets to be fighters in the Battledome, customize them or collect items for their own collections. The Battledome is where a player’s Neopet can fight against another player’s Neopet or non-player characters (NPCs). Petpets also have a similar battle arena where only NPCs may be challenged. Each NPC has a different difficulty. Awards such as trophies can be won for fighting in the Battledome.

Players can also choose to build a Neohome for their Neopets. Neohomes can be built after a user buys a plot of land, which vary in price depending on the location. Each room costs Neopoints to build, and furniture may be put in and arranged. Players may also build gardens and furnish them. Extensions such as lighting, flooring, wallpaper, and insurance can also be purchased. Players may try to win awards for their Neohomes or collections. The address of a Neohome can only be changed after demolishing all rooms and/or gardens and selling the address back to the bank.

The virtual economy encountered in Neopets is nothing short of amazing!

Players are allowed to operate their own shop in which to sell items for under 100,000 Neopoints. Neopets themselves also has a whole slew of their own shops that anyone can access and buy from. Shops that are a part of the Neopet scenery restock their items randomly, and if the player is fast enough in their chosen shop, they can pick up a very rare item for pennies on the dollar, and either keep it, trade it, or sell it off for a lot more than they made for it.

Viacom recently launched Neopets Jr. – A simpler version of the main Neopets.com site. At Neopets Jr. the player can still create and care for their own virtual pet and earn Neopoints, just like everyone else in Neopia. But here, they will also play fun (but easier) games, and enjoy many other site areas that are especially designed for younger players.

Overall, Neopets is known for its “addictiveness” and “stickiness”. Players will find that there is simply not enough time in the day to accomplish all that they set out to accomplish. On the positive side, Neopets not only teaches kids to care about their pets (and no, they don’t die from being underfed or bored), but it also introduces them to the basic principles of money and inventory management.

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