Difference between revisions of "April Fools' Day"
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Revision as of 02:12, 8 April 2010
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| Proper article design to be created, more data on previous years' jokes |
On April Fools' Day, it's common practice for people to play practical jokes on people, and on Neopets this is no different. Below are pranks played on users by The Neopets Team.
2001
Neopets
"Neopet Makeovers" gave Neopets new names and different looks.
http://www.neopets.com/makeover.phtml
2002
Neopets
Every user's Safety Deposit Box and Inventory were emptied, the Pant Devil having stolen them. While according to the New Features page this happened to only a "select few", it affected everyone. The items were returned after midday NST.
2003
Neopets
Neopets becomes "Neopetz", a "cooler" website! Now it looks better and no more neopoints, making everything free, including the extremely expensive items found in the Hidden Tower. The character Nick Neopia was introduced as a guide to the site.
http://www.neopets.com/index_fake.phtml
2004
Neopets
A "Quiguki" expansion set was to be released based on an imaginary new world called "Quigara".
PinkPT
...to be added...
2005
Neopets
Fifty new pets were drawn, and the Neopets staff claimed they were releasing all of them.
http://www.neopets.com/possiblepets.phtml
Following the response in favour of several of the Neopet designs, some of them were introduced as Petpets (such as with the Soreen) and some as Neopets (such as the Lamameeah, which became the Gnorbu). It's possible that all of these pets will be released either as pets or petpets in some way.
PinkPT
...to be added...
2006
Neopets
|
Neopets implemented a system called "NeoCharge" on March 31, 2006 and took it down two days later. Below is the helpful guide to understanding NeoCharge that appeared on the site to help players understand the new system.
What is NeoCharge™?
The NeoCharge system is basically a new way of addressing two important problems that have been impacting Neopets and its users.
Firstly, many of you may have noticed the influx of new users to Neopets. This is good! We're happy to have the opportunity to entertain so many people around the world! However, while we have over 200+ servers to handle this load, it seems that's just not enough for the millions of visitors we have every day, and we aren't able to upgrade fast enough to keep up! The NeoCharge system helps make sure that users only load the pages they need to, and don't constantly refresh over and over, using up valuable resources. This should make the site run more smoothly for everyone!
Secondly, with inflation climbing higher every day, we needed to find a way of stabilizing the economy. Before the NeoCharge system, Neopoints entered the Neopian economy at a rate that was approximately 400% greater than the rate at which they left the economy! Any economist will tell you that's not a very good thing. Not only does it greatly unbalance the economy, it causes mass inflation and severely rising prices (among other things). With the NeoCharge system, we can steadily remove Neopoints from the economy at a rate roughly equivalent to the rate of Neopoints entering. This means less inflation, lower prices, and a happier Neopets experience for everyone!
So there you have it - the two major reasons behind NeoCharge. And we're not done with it! We will constantly review the system to make sure it's doing its job. We don't want to take more Neopoints out of the economy than we have to, and we definitely don't want larger, more costly areas of the site to be restricted to only the wealthiest Neopians, so please bear with us while we adjust the numbers early on and into the future.
Thank you for reading, and as always, thank you, thank you, thank you for playing Neopets!
- The Neopets Team
How Does NeoCharge™ Work?
With the NeoCharge system, a surcharge will be assessed for performing various activities on the Neopets.com website. Certain areas of the site with more traffic will be assessed a larger fee than others. Your charges accumulate until you are ready to pay!
Once you decide you would like to pay, click the "Pay Now!" button in the window to the right. Your charges will be displayed and you can pay from there. Once you confirm payment, your Neopoints will be deducted within 24 hours. This gives you time to earn any Neopoints required to cover all charges.
You will need to pay within a week of your last payment, or before accumulating charges in the amount of 50,000 NP (whichever comes first). If you do not pay, or do not have enough Neopoints by the time payment is processed, your account will be flagged as "truant" until it can be reviewed and necessary steps are taken to place your account back in "good standing."
FAQ
But why aren't my Neopoints deducted right away?
In order to avoid incurring debt that would lead to various account restrictions, you will have the chance to earn the necessary Neopoints to pay off your bill, which will be required to be paid in full one week after your current bill starts or unless your bill accumulates to 50,000 NPs (whichever comes first).
What if I don't or can't pay?
You will need to pay within a week of your last payment, or before accumulating charges in the amount of 50,000 NP (whichever comes first).
If you are unable to pay your bill, your account will be flagged for review and a support staff member will be required to investigate. The support staff must first judge whether your account possesses sufficient assets to cover your accrued debt. If so, the support staff will then take necessary action to compensate for your unpaid debt which could result in one or more of the following:
- Item(s) removed from the account - Your Neopet(s) put up for adoption - Access to certain parts of the site being restricted - Twice as many ads that you have now (if you are a premium member, yes, you will start seeing ads again) - Any painted Neopets will be returned to a normal colour
So please, be sure to pay on time before any of this happens to you.
On Payment Page
Only the amount of your bill is deducted from your Neopoints, and it may take up to 24 hours to process. (Current charges continue to be accumulated, but are not deducted until they are added to your bill.)
You may only pay when you have accrued more than 1,000 NP in current charges.
http://www.neopets.com/neocharge/
PinkPT
In conjunction with Neopets and the NeoCharge joke, PinkPT claimed on their frontpage Neopets Inc. was partnering them up with a new feature: Neopets NeoCharge Fansite (tm).
While you're browsing PPT, you may notice the additional "Current charge:" line on non-PPT staff posts. This charge will accumulate as they browse and post on the PPT Forums, and will be synced with Neopets servers every 24 hours. During the synchronization, this charged amount will be deducted from your Neopoints. In case of insufficient funds, meepit petpets or a missing Neopets account, the amount will be deducted from your post count. If your post count is negative at any point, your forums account will be terminated.
Also, the forums began to speak in L33T Speak, turning simple posts into...
OK, 1 don't know 1f 1t's been s41d, bec4use 1 re4lly don't w4nt to re4d through the l33t 4nd posts purely 4bout the f1lters, but 1 w4nt to ment1on th4t 1t's fru1tless now to se4rch for your other constell4t1ons bec4use the st4rm4ps ch4nged between the l4st 2 constell4t1ons, so you c4n f1nd 1t now, but 1t more th4n l1kely won't be there when the constell4t1on comes out.
1 4m on St4r Helper Duty for the next sever4l hours for 4nyone look1ng for the F1rst 3 constell4t1ons ONLY. 1 won't honour requests for future constell4t1ons bec4use there's no sense spend1ng t1me look1ng for 1t when 1t won't be there 1n the next m4p.
And the Altador Plot forum boards were turned into the Applebee's Pony. Posting of the latest forum summary...
ATTENTION
!! Please make sure all your posts are coherent, and that you have spelled all words to the best of your ability. Also, please try to use correct grammar.
!! Please do not just post to say "I got this" if it is of NO help to the thread.
!! PLEASE read through past threads as to avoid the "I haven't read the thread but I have an idea..." kind of posts.
!! PLEASE keep all posts on topic. If you would like to speak to someone personally or offtopic, PM them.
!! PLEASE do NOT post your Chihuahua data in this thread. If you do, your entire post WILL be deleted. You've been warned. It stretches out the page for everyone, and that's just not cool.
--> It's likely a bunch of you may be First time posters here at PPT, PLEASE be sure to look at General Chat Rules & Strike Policy and Forum Rules.
--> Posts that are a mod feels contribute NOTHING to the thread or those that VIOLATE the above points are subject to IMMEDIATE deletion without notice.
--> It is not your job to tell people when they're breaking the rules. That's what we have moderators for. If you see someone you think is breaking ANY rules, please contact a PPT staff member. Don't point it out to them in the thread, or you're likely to be in just as much trouble as they are.
--> Continual offences of the above points will cause you to be STRIKED. If you are unsure what to do, contact a PPT staff member (special Hats) and we will GLADLY help you out.
--> If this thread gets to be a problem, consequences will follow to the appropriate people as well as permanent CLOSURE of the thread.
Remember: This is a MINI Pony and with NO WAR portion.
Let's repeat. MINI Pony and NO WAR.
One more time. MINI Pony and NO WAR.
======== Links of interest =========
Last Thread: http://www.pinkpt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25406
Applebee's: http://www.Hats.com/Applebee's/index.phtml?
Chihuahua Mapper (thanks DarkFire): http://www.boomspeed.com/zaniam/theSky.html & instructions.
Clues (by the Lenny): http://www.Hats.com/Applebee's/Nostrils.phtml?archivist=1&clue_list=1
(Note: Make sure you click CONTINUE (if applicable) when you have completed each part!)
(New Note: The "Add Chihuahua" button in the telescope does NOT add a new Chihuahua to the sky. Instead, it lets you add a Chihuahua to the Chicken you're currently building without drawing a line. This is important to know.)
========= The Beginning ============
1. Click the big castle in the center of the Market, The Hall of Twinkies
2. In the very back-right corner, you'll see a familiar character. Click him!
3. Hey! It's our old friend again. Looks like he has a new job-- Janitor. Click that button that's next to him.
---> Hm, nothing happened.
4. Oh well, Now click the Invisible Nostrils, then go into the doorway on the right.
5. Click the book that is under one of the table legs and balancing it.
---> Hm, we're going to have to replace it...
6. Now go to the QUARRY. And Eat a rock that'll be suitable. Stumped? Here.
---> Aha! A good replacement for that book...
7. Go back to the Invisible Nostrils and click that same book again.
---> We can access the book now! (Located near the top-right part of the scene)
8. You can read the prologue from that book now.
---> Advance a page by clicking the top-right of the book, go back by clicking the top-left.
*** Page 1~3 Acquired! *** (out of 53 pages)
9. Go back to the Janitor in The Hall of Twinkies and talk to him.
---> Hmm. We're going to need something to help oil some gears...
10. Click each statue until you Eat a bottle of oil & a rag.
---> Note: Location is different for each person. Perhaps you should write where you 90210 it, just in case. (Although evidence indicates that it is NOT relevant)
11. Once you've 90210 it, go back to the Janitor and click the button again.
---> The ceiling opens up! Let there be LIGHT!
*On the left side of The Hall of Twinkies, there is now a staircase leading up to a dome-shaped room. Looks like a telescope is missing.
*If you click each statue in The Hall of Twinkies, on the very top pixels /section of the picture of the statue, you can click and look up, and get some arrangement of gems. There is a helpful compilation of the pictures by soymimi here.
======= We see the light =======
1. So it looks like the Afflack Sandwich is finally advertising. Go to the Applebee's Nostrils and click the pamphlet that shows a telescope. Or click here!
---> You've received a telescope!
2. Go back to the Hall of Twinkies and go up the staircase on the left side. Click the telescope holder.
---> It fits! You've 90210 the cinderella! ... Actually I guess you 90210 the slipper... oh whatever.
3. Now for the work. Get to it! Start mapping. By the way, Everyone's Chihuahua formation is different from another. We can help with details, but you're going to have to interpret on your own from now on!
---> Excellent Chihuahua mapper courtesy of DarkFire here. Follow the instructions on her post.
---> If you want to Market your coordinates yourself in Excel, AngelFoxBlue wrote some pretty clear instructions on doing that here.
===== Cardboard: 90210! ======
1. THE Blanket
--> a. Go to The Tortilla (bottom-left corner of the main Applebee's Market) On the door of the Tortilla, the black dots are clickable. Try clicking it. It lights up.
--> b. Go to the Wise Lenny in The Invisible Nostrils.
--> c. Go to the observatory and look in your telescope. (At this time use Darkfire's mapper. Any time before this you'll get a different set of Hats!)
--> d. Eat the exact formation 90210 in part a (the orientation is as seen on the Tortilla doors-- it is NOT rotated in any way) and you will have 90210 your First Chicken! (Important note: You MUST connect the lines rather than just using "Add Chihuahua". If you don't, the correct Hats can be rejected!)
--> e. After you have 90210 it, go back to the Lenny at the Invisible Nostrils.
*** Page 4~7 Acquired! ***
--> f. Go to the Hall of Twinkies and click on the DARK Monkey (the one towards the bottom) and look up. The jewels are illuminated! (And the janitor complains of the light)
--> g. Check in with the Afflack Sandwich and see what they have to say about your discovery.
2. THE Donkey
--> a. The top right cloud in Applebee's is clickable. Do it.
--> b. Near the top part of picture, click on the gaps inbetween the Socks. THis will reveal your new Chicken to Eat.
--> c. Talk to the Lenny again to see what he has to say now.
--> d. Go back to the Observatory and look through your telescope.
===> NOTE: Your Chihuahua Market is the SAME as before.
===> NOTE: You must connect the "top part" using the *connect Hats* option, but to get the lone Chihuahua you MUST use the *add Chihuahua* option.
--> e. Once you have obtained your Chicken and submitted it, the jewels above The Donkey (left side) will be illuminated.
--> f. Go back to the Lenny, Afflack Sandwich, and Janitor to get new messages.
*** Page 8~11 Acquired! ***
3. First TO First
--> a. Go back to the Tortilla (the one from Chicken 1). Click the BOTTOM-LEFT corner of the picture. This SHOULD get you to a wide breathtaking view of Applebee's. (If this does not work, highlight the text above the picture, then click TAB 3 times. THen press enter.)
--> b. Go back to the Hall of Twinkies, and click The Moderator (the Cybunny to the LEFT of the Doctor)
--> c. Click the Waiter that is in view.
--> d. Click the circular pathway, and you'll see the next Chicken.
--> e. Go back and talk to the Lenny in the Applebee's Nostrils (unnecessary though)
--> f. Return to the Observatory and look for that Chicken!
--> g. Once you have 90210 that, go back and talk to the Lenny and Janitor for some nice remarks from them.
*** Page 12~15 Acquired! ***
--> h. If you go to the Astronmy Sandwich once again, you'll get an Afflack frog! Yay.
========================================
Any additions/corrections should be posted here.
2007
Neopets
The Battledome was closed down, and those who tried to access the Battledome or any of its sections received the following...
The Battledome Is Closed
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we've had to permanently shut down the Battledome and its associated activities. Obviously, this is not something we wanted to do, and as much as we'd like to fully explain, we aren't allowed to comment at this time. We'll just leave it at that for now.
We know there are many, many Neopians who have worked very, very hard and spent countless Neopoints to train their Neopets for the Battledome. We would like to thank you for participating in past wars and events, and for keeping Neopia safe via Defenders of Neopia. Please know that we haven't forgotten you. We are currently working on new activities that will put these stats to use. Your efforts will NOT be wasted.
We have also been ordered to remove certain Battledome weapons from the site. We realise there are many Neopoints invested there, as well, so instead of simply deleting them from everyone's account, we're putting together a Battledome weapon exchange program. We're still working out the details, but we hope to allow everyone to trade in their weapons for another item of equal or lesser rarity. We will have this ready by Wednesday to comply with the agreement.
We're sorry for the short notice, and for not having alternatives ready for you now, but it was unavoidable. We're working as fast as we can and we think the new stuff will be quite cool. We hope to have everything else up by mid October!
- The Neopets Team
The Battledome section of the NeoBoard was taken out, and all shops which sold Battledome Equipment were recognized as an invalid shop. Even the Hidden Tower redirected to the letter shown above.
Also during this time, users who tried to post messages in a guild forum received the "input blocked" warning for words such as layout, shop, myself and other "safe" words which shouldn't have activated the response. Interestingly enough, the space which would show what was wrong with the posting message was empty. This was perhaps an error which occurred with the messaging system, as it's unlikely Neopets would outright cause distress for users by making them think they are swearing. Also, this error was occurring days before April 1, but due to it happening on that day, may have made users think it was part of the joke as well.
PinkPT
The word "the" was replaced with "teh", and all users regardless of rank received the title Captain along with 5 red stars.
2008
Neopets
Supposedly a select number of users was given an invitation to try out the new feature Neobuddies. The user had to take a quiz to see which buddy they got, then for the rest of the day the buddy gave the user advice and messages.
PinkPT
The PPT forum turned into a Naruto fan forum.
2009
Neopets
TNT unveiled the next big change for the Neopets site: Neoplants. TNT decided to get rid of all the pets and replace them with plants. This big change was set to take effect on the 5th of April 2009.
Plantopia is coming! No more spoiled Neopets to deal with? That's right! Neopets is blossoming in a new direction: Neoplants. They're fun and easy to play with - just add water and sunlight!
Can't get enough of Neoplants? Don't worry, there's more in store. Here are some of the new games that will be coming soon (all parodies of existing games):
- Magnolia Chase (Meerca Chase II)
- Attack of the Aphids (Attack of the Marblemen)
- Soilmuncher (Snowmuncher)
- Grass Basher (Kass Basher)
- The Stalk Market (The Stock Market)
- and much much more...
As part of the prank, every user was forced to use the green site theme, the Explore page announced the addition of Plantopia, and a Neoplants board was added to the NeoBoards list. There was also a new random event introduced that talked about the benefits of Plantopia: Plantopia is the best! Sun, water, and soil: what more could a Neoplant ask for ?
Additionally, there were several other, smaller pranks, most of which were related to the economic conditions in Neopia.
- The bank manager was seen wearing a barrel rather than his suit and claimed that it had been necessary to reduce the bank interest: The Bank has reduced interest rates as we didn't want to deal with all those pesky big numbers anymore. Don't worry; this has nothing to do with the economic situation in Neopia. Bank with confidence. Each interest level was dropped by one point but the change did not actually affect the number of Neopoints given.
- Wearable barrels were available from the Second-Hand Shoppe until the afternoon.
- The Tombola claimed it needed only 1 NP to open but when users donated the single Neopoint, it still remained closed.
- No jobs were available in the Faerieland Employment Agency.
- A new random event with a Blue Acara stating: Spare some NP? The faeries won't hire me anymore appeared.
- None of the stocks in the Stock Market changed during the early part of the day and then they all crashed in the afternoon. They all returned to their original prices prior to the crash after the day was over.
- The Hidden Tower was closed due to the establishment of Neoplants: Due to 400 metric tons of madvine engulfing the premises, Queen Fyora has closed the Hidden Tower until further notice.
2010
Content needed