"Neopets" Hits Cell Phones- BIG NEWS
Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:11 pm
In-Fusio mobilizes Neopets
Virtual-pet site will be first to feature wireless-to-web application; Neopets to feature exclusive mobile content.
While most pet owners relish the opportunity to take their pets out for walks, the virtual pet owners of Neopets.com have been stuck inside in front of a computer while caring for their cyber-critters--until now. Mobile entertainment producer In-Fusio and Neopets.com are teaming up to allow Neopet owners to take themselves for a walk with the first wireless-to-web application.
"The mobile version of Neopets will not only expand the online community to cell phones, but in fact be the first application of its kind, allowing mobile players to access an existing online persistent world," said Craig Holland, CEO, In-Fusio North America. "In-Fusio is working to close the gap between wireless and the Web very quickly and the Neopets application will be the first glimpse into the future of mobile entertainment."
The new mobile phone connectivity allows concerned owners to maintain their pet's well-being, manage their accounts, and buy and sell virtual goods while on the move. The Web site will also host exclusive content for its mobile users, such as new species of pets, new areas to browse, and new items to buy.
By Tim Surette -- GameSpot
POSTED: 03/14/05 01:05 PM PST
Here's the link: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/14 ... 20398.html
Virtual-pet site will be first to feature wireless-to-web application; Neopets to feature exclusive mobile content.
While most pet owners relish the opportunity to take their pets out for walks, the virtual pet owners of Neopets.com have been stuck inside in front of a computer while caring for their cyber-critters--until now. Mobile entertainment producer In-Fusio and Neopets.com are teaming up to allow Neopet owners to take themselves for a walk with the first wireless-to-web application.
"The mobile version of Neopets will not only expand the online community to cell phones, but in fact be the first application of its kind, allowing mobile players to access an existing online persistent world," said Craig Holland, CEO, In-Fusio North America. "In-Fusio is working to close the gap between wireless and the Web very quickly and the Neopets application will be the first glimpse into the future of mobile entertainment."
The new mobile phone connectivity allows concerned owners to maintain their pet's well-being, manage their accounts, and buy and sell virtual goods while on the move. The Web site will also host exclusive content for its mobile users, such as new species of pets, new areas to browse, and new items to buy.
By Tim Surette -- GameSpot
POSTED: 03/14/05 01:05 PM PST
Here's the link: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/14 ... 20398.html
Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:55 pm
Noooo....more sponser-related pets? The Ice Bori was enough, in my opinion.
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:05 pm
New species of pets? The ice bori was just a color and I somehow doubt, despite all my misgivings about Neopets, that they'd ever create a new species or world just for people who use a particular cell phone. If they do, I imagine it'd look something like the Tamagotchis you can now get in vending machines for a quarter.
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:08 pm
In other words from what I gather about the service, this will be another premium offering from Neopets (seperate from the portal/ISP however). Interesting features if this does really pan out, still they way Neo treats the free players... the less itneresting in such a service.
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:12 pm
It's not that this is too bad since i doubt i'll miss too much. People will be spending tons just on the data transfer to their cell phones. And hopefully, it'll be like a different site that doesn't transfer to the computer version
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:14 pm
"Exclusive Content for it's mobile users".
That doesn't sit right with me.
That doesn't sit right with me.
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:23 pm
Hmm, I've never even heard of that cell company. Around here it's mostly verizon and cingular.
This does bother me:
People were concerned that premium users would get something like this. I believe the only things premium gets are a space faerie sc once a week, the premium board and we get to beta test games (no np given while in beta testing bty). But nothing like "a new species of pet, new areas to browse" ... new items to buy? Well, there's always new merchandise. Unless it's something cell phone specific.
This does bother me:
The Web site will also host exclusive content for its mobile users, such as new species of pets, new areas to browse, and new items to buy.
People were concerned that premium users would get something like this. I believe the only things premium gets are a space faerie sc once a week, the premium board and we get to beta test games (no np given while in beta testing bty). But nothing like "a new species of pet, new areas to browse" ... new items to buy? Well, there's always new merchandise. Unless it's something cell phone specific.
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:23 pm
Chao wrote:"Exclusive Content for it's mobile users".
That doesn't sit right with me.
In other words...an avatar for only the "special" people who will have access to their service.
But seriously..
Neopets.
ON. A. CELL. PHONE.
Addictive. Neopets.
ON. YOUR. CELL.
Dude, I predict some parents are going to get some outrageous wireless service bills in the mail soon....
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:41 pm
Hmm, interesting. They do have to have something to draw customers to it, and exclusive content is the only way to do it. So long as that doesn't threaten the rest of the players experiences, no big deal, not being able to get a sequined pb doesn't impede game play.
I'm guessing their target market is teenage girls who like to chat a lot. Neopets is something I do to relax and have some fun, so I'd have no interest bringing it with me everywhere because if I'm away from the computer I'm generally with people and too busy to play.
It'll be interesting and fun to see how this plays out in comparison to the premium web deal (which I didn't get because I have my own portal and already spend a lot on the magazine, voice activated, figurine, and plushie Neopets, heh heh, they aren't getting my WHOLE paycheck
).
I'm guessing their target market is teenage girls who like to chat a lot. Neopets is something I do to relax and have some fun, so I'd have no interest bringing it with me everywhere because if I'm away from the computer I'm generally with people and too busy to play.
It'll be interesting and fun to see how this plays out in comparison to the premium web deal (which I didn't get because I have my own portal and already spend a lot on the magazine, voice activated, figurine, and plushie Neopets, heh heh, they aren't getting my WHOLE paycheck
).
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:47 pm
valerielundberg wrote:Chao wrote:"Exclusive Content for it's mobile users".
That doesn't sit right with me.
In other words...an avatar for only the "special" people who will have access to their service.
But seriously..
Neopets.
ON. A. CELL. PHONE.
Addictive. Neopets.
ON. YOUR. CELL.
Dude, I predict some parents are going to get some outrageous wireless service bills in the mail soon....
lol, my parents yelled at me last month for going over my text messaging limit...
Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:13 pm
well, that's something I won't be getting, we have teriable cell-phone service around here. Other wize I'd love to get one.
Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:30 am
That's not big news. Big news would be if neopets made a computer..
Re: "Neopets" Hits Cell Phones- BIG NEWS
Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:37 am
Muse wrote:The Web site will also host exclusive content for its mobile users, such as new species of pets, new areas to browse, and new items to buy.
One word.. WHY?!
This is really unfair for the people who don't have cell phones like me.
I wouldn't be getting a cellphone just for a new species of pet (probably the Lutari, eww) and some crappy items. The pet can be gained from the pound and items can be bought.
But still, it's not fair!
Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:37 am
Man, urge to role eyes risen and achieved. Assuming you pay for the time you spend on this service by minute, "exclusive mobile content" will really do wonders for a phone bill..Geez..
Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:57 am
Wow. I can't believe Neopets it extending their site all the way to cellphones.
And I hate how they're going to make the site better for people who play from their phones. So stupid.
And I hate how they're going to make the site better for people who play from their phones. So stupid.