#this website would be more popular if there was a virtual pet...

[catbirthdays]

the boop button just makes me yearn for a tumblr tamagotchi of some sort. i want a virtual pet while im scrolling

[sexybritishllama]

in further neopets discord news, oh boy is there drama in my awful virtual pet game website today. strap in if you want way too much information on neopets’ broken economy

for some context, an event has just launched called the faerie festival. this is the first event to be run by the ‘new’ TNT (aka. the neopets team aka. the staff) since the leadership change, and they've said in recent editorials that this year’s faerie festival is going to be a combo of two previous popular events:

the faerie quest event, wherein people can get a free quest from a faerie every day in exchange for a reward (something that’s normally limited to random special events and therefore quite rare)

the charity corner, a highly requested event that hasn’t run since 2020, where you can donate random items to get points that can then be exchanged in a prize shop

there’s a LOT of ultimately worthless items on neopets that people gather from doing dailies and things, but charity corner actually gave a use to hoarding all of these, so people have wanted it back for ages. people have been going out of their way to hoard extra junk items for like 2 months now, after TNT teased the event in an editorial

this event was originally meant to start on 20th august, but got delayed 2 weeks, presumably because of issues behind the scenes. people were generally a bit disappointed but relieved if this meant they were going to get a proper, well prepared event without bugs

flash forward to 2nd october, the actual start of the event. nothing actually opens up for several hours on the day- that’s somewhat waved off by the fact that staff presumably need to be in the office to launch everything, a midnight launch isn’t expected

but, eventually, it opens!

well… kinda. there’s one page with one dialogue scene available and a link to an event page for spending neocash (the premium currency that costs irl money). the faerie quest page is giving out free daily quests, which is nice, but literally just the same as they did back in 2020. where’s the item recycling part? did this really need 2 weeks of delay?

the next day, the FAQ page for the event is published neopets support site (but not announced via news). still no sign of the actual event starting- seems like that might not be until moday?

as well as multiple grammatical errors, the FAQ had a few… concerning elements. most notably:

only 10 items could be donated per day

points would be awarded based on the rarity of the item, with the maximum rarity being r200-500, worth 15 points each

this meant people's hoarding of junk items for months was... essentially useless

r200-500 items basically means either hidden tower items (rare, expensive items that can only be bought in an account age locked shop with a purchase limit of 1 per day) orrrr….. neocash items. In other words, players could either spend an exorbinate amount of their in-game currency to buy up items to donate, or they could just hand over their credit card and pay to win

people were Not Happy about this

not long after info spread and the outcry started (and a sizeable number of people cancelled their premium membership in protest), the FAQ was quietly updated to remove mention of donating neocash items. that took away to pay to win element at least

however, now there was a new problem. a tombola man problem.

i mentioned already that the highest rarity items are pretty rare and expensive. one of the least expensive of these is an item called the Squeezy Tombola Guy Toy. you can probably see where this is going already

because you can only buy a maximum of one tombola guy per day from the hidden tower, your only option if you want to buy more than that in a day is to go to user shops. however, in light of the event, people had already started buying and hoarding tombola guy toys. equally, others were buying them purely to sell at a profit. this made the perfect storm and caused the price of the tombola guy toy, which was normally 110k NP, to explode up to 500k, 600k, even 700k within just one day

BUT THEN THE FAQ GOT UPDATED AGAIN. surprise, you can now donate 30 items per day! also they just got rid of the highest rarity tier altogether. the maximum you can get for an item is now 8 points, for rarity r102-r179.

this has now made the squeezy tombola guy toys useless. unless you’re a collector they don’t serve any function beyond that of a normal neopets toy (of which there’s thousands of much cheaper options). the price has now plummeted down to BELOW what it originally was and many users now have piles and piles of the dolls sitting in their inventory, mocking them

so what now? well, because no one ever learns, everyone is now flocking to what is now the cheapest high-rarity item eligible for donation. most are going for omelettes, which have a few different options at r102+. these have also inflated by like 400% from before the event, but unlike the squeeze tombola guys, these are only worth a few thousand neopoints, so not as bad a potential loss in comparison

it’s worth noting that while all this is going on in preparation for the recycling event, neopets is also experiencing insane inflation in a lot of other items right now, including those required for people to complete faerie quests. for example, a Griefer, which cost 5000 np just last week, is now worth selling for 1 MILLION

So yeah. 3 days into the event and that’s where we are so far. who knows what tomorrow might bring

[webkinzwonders]

Interview with Leonidas Kouvaris

I recently had the honor of interviewing Leonidas Kouvaris, a digital artist and singer for Webkinz. Some of his most popular projects include The Pet of the Month songs and Zum designs. It was an amazing experience to correspond with him directly and gain some more insight into the game. Below is our interview, some words have been changed to fix typos, but for the most part is it word for word. I added some context via images and links to some topics discussed. An unedited transcript of the interview is here.

Do you consent to have the information discussed in this interview to be published on my Tumblr blog (WebkinzWonders) for the purpose of my composition class?

Yes.

What is the timeline of your time at Webkinz, when did you start and stop working there?

I started working at Ganz back in March of 2008, and I left early 2013, so around 5 years total. 

What were your main responsibilities when working at Webkinz?

I was first hired as a digital artist for the Interactive Art department and worked on creating new virtual pets exclusive to the eStore. I also created art assets for the Webkinz games and for Webkinz JR. After about a year I was given the opportunity to design a new series of characters for Webkinz called Zums. These were fairy-like creatures that would exist as both virtual characters on the Webkinz site, and as a product line of plush toys. I eventually worked primarily on product design and marketing for various Ganz properties, including Amazing World and Nakamas. 

From what I can see you are primarily an artist/designer, how did you get involved with the Kinztunes? Were you interested in music or was it just a side project?

Well, it all started out by chance. One day I was working away at my desk when my boss walked in and yelled out for everyone to hear "Who here can sing"? I put my hand up and his first response was "yeah right!", but after convincing him that I wasn't joking he said if I were interested in performing on a Webkinz tune to go visit tour resident sound guy. I love music and this was a great opportunity to get away from my desk, so I got the rundown from the lead sound engineer and we quickly started work on the very first Webkinz Pet Of The Month song. 

We had the lyrics written for us and a general direction...problem was, at the time, there was no formal recording studio on site and so we had to improvise. We found an empty office to record in and in lieu of any proper soundproofing, we ended up draping a Snuggie over my head while I sang. It was a great experience A proper sound recording studio eventually was built as the sound team grew, and I continued to get involved with the production of the Kinz Tunes. All of this extra work would happen during the work day, when I had time from my other responsibilities as a digital artist. I sang, I wrote, I even lent my voice to other projects doing character voices for the Webkinz JR site. I quickly became the go-to person for recording whatever random sound was needed. 

What was your favorite project you did working at Webkinz?

I would have to say that designing the Amazing World vinyl figures is what I am most proud of. I ended up designing three series for the toy line but only the first two ever made it to shelves. The project was canceled pretty soon after launch, along with others including Nakamas and Tail Town. I have to say, working on Kinz Tunes is a close second, as I am still good friends with the sound engineer I met on that first day of recording. I actually just met up with him today to check out a retro arcade in downtown Toronto.

How does Webkinz keep a consistent style since there are various elements of the game? Were there guidelines when designing?

One of the challenges that the Webkinz team faced was trying to keep up with the rapid expansion of the website. Both the coding and the art for the site had to get produced quickly as there were always new features and games to implement. As best as I can remember, Webkinz had one art director from the beginning who created the art style, and it was the Creative Director (the boss for the entire art department) who made sure everything remained on brand. Later on I became a sort of liaison between the art department and marketing, making sure product development was using the same style guides as the Interactive Art department.

What was the work environment like at Webkinz? Was it in-person offices or remote?

The art department itself was pretty drab. Gray cubicles upon gray cubicles, located in the same building that housed the main offices, and warehouse. The people I worked with were amazing. Get a bunch of creative people together in a windowless environment and you got a recipe for crazy times. A lot of dress up days; A lot of desk decorating. I made a lot of friendships from that time. 

What are some projects you’re working on now?

After Ganz I took some time off to do my own thing, creating some animated shorts with characters of my own designing. I then went on to work for a company designing educational games that are featured on the PBS Kids website. A year into the pandemic I was laid off and now I'm revisiting my project and developing it as on a mobile game.

Do you have anything you can show me from your time working there?

I've attached some sketches that show the design process of some of my earlier work at Ganz. I've included the initial concept of the Webkinz Stone Lion, isometric sketches of the Stone Lion, and the final vectored design.

Any questions that I didn’t ask that you think I should know?

Yes, Ganz is actually based in Canada. A lot of people don't know that the head offices are just outside of Toronto, Ontario

That concludes our interview. A huge thank you to Leonidas Kouvaris for taking the time to answer all my questions, I am so appreciative of his time and insight. The information provided is so fascinating, I never would've guessed most of Webkinz was designed in a grey cubical, and the story about KinzTunes made me laugh, I'll be on the lookout for more projects by Leonidas Kouvaris!

[beatle-yee]

what do you think of this alternate timeline where gen 4 of the rockafire gets released in the early 00's?

Rockin' into the New Millennium: Gen 4 Rockafire Explosion (Early 2000s)

In this alternate timeline, Creative Engineering Inc. unveils their most ambitious project yet: Gen 4 of the Rockafire Explosion in the early 2000s. This iteration explodes onto the scene, pushing the boundaries of animatronics and entertainment while staying true to the band's original spirit.

Technological Spectacle:

Servo Revolution: Gone are the limitations of hydraulics. Gen 4 boasts advanced servo motors and early AI, enabling lifelike movements, fluid dance routines, and expressive facial features.

Immersive Stage: Lasers, synchronized lighting, and interactive projections transform the stage into a multimedia extravaganza. The audience becomes part of the show, triggering effects and animations through touchscreens and voice commands.

Musical Evolution: The band's repertoire expands beyond classic rock, incorporating popular hits from the 2000s, remixing their own classics, and even dabbling in genre-bending mashups.

Holographic Collaborations: The show features special guest appearances, not just with live musicians, but also with holographic projections of iconic music legends, creating a mind-blowing visual experience.

Character Evolution:

Amplified Personalities: While retaining their core traits, the characters' quirks are cranked up to eleven. Billy Bob becomes the ultimate hype man, Looney Bird's inventions become even more outrageous, and Dook's spacey antics reach interstellar levels.

Dynamic Costumes: Their iconic looks get a modern makeover, incorporating trends of the early 2000s. Rolfe dons a hip-hop-inspired outfit, Mitzi rocks a colorful cheerleader uniform with a futuristic twist, and Fatz sports a bold new hairstyle.

Individual Showcases: Each character receives dedicated solo segments highlighting their unique talents and personalities. Fatz showcases his beatboxing skills, Rolfe pulls off impressive magic tricks, and Mitzi leads the audience in interactive dance routines.

Beyond the Stage:

National Tour: The Rockafire Explosion embarks on a nationwide tour, performing at major venues and children's festivals, captivating audiences across the country.

Interactive Website: A dedicated website allows fans to interact with the band virtually. They can vote on song requests, play online games featuring the characters, and even submit their own jokes and ideas for future shows.

Merchandise Mania: A wider range of merchandise is released, including plush toys with hidden voice chips that play iconic soundbites, video games featuring the band in interactive adventures, and behind-the-scenes documentaries showcasing the creation of Gen 4.

Showbiz Transformation: Showbiz Pizza undergoes a complete overhaul, becoming a themed entertainment complex. Interactive exhibits allow guests to learn about the history of the Rockafire Explosion and even create their own mini-animatronic characters.

But it doesn't stop there:

Animated Series: A new CGI-animated Rockafire Explosion series airs on popular channels, introducing the band's adventures and humor to a whole new generation of fans.

Theme Park Attraction: A dedicated Rockafire Explosion ride is built at a major theme park, transporting guests on a thrilling musical journey through the characters' world.

Charity Partnerships: The band partners with children's charities, donating proceeds from merchandise sales and even hosting special benefit concerts.

This is just a glimpse into the possibilities of Gen 4 Rockafire Explosion in the early 2000s. This timeline shows how the beloved characters could have evolved and adapted to a new era, staying relevant and engaging for a new generation of fans. What other exciting twists and turns would you like to see in this alternate timeline? Perhaps a virtual reality concert experience, a robotic pet version of Billy Bob, or even a Rockafire video game with interactive stories? The possibilities are endless!

Actually an interesting concept however this timeline does expand on what would happen if we were past Gen 2. Since this is in the early 2000’s I could see them sporting that cool look like CEC avenger era plus them expanding into theme parks is also and unique concept.

[smeedlesmeelder]

Virtual Pet

Second week of my Video Game Genre Guides!

Logo by my friend Virtual Pets! Sometimes called Digital or Artificial Pets! These games are designed to be a fun, typically advertised towards a younger audience, simulation of owning a pet or animal. Much of the gameplay involves feeding, caring for, and even playing with your pet. The genre can also be seen in some side modes of games, such as the Chao garden in the Sonic Adventure games. Here’s what the genre would look like on a Genre Tree!

In terms of top level genres, this is strictly under simulation games, which is a broad, and quite nerdy, genre of games that aim to simulate systems and other real world interactions. Virtual Pet games don't combine any genres, they're just a more specific form of Life Sim games. Here’s 5 Virtual Pets (in no particular order) to check out, including how I would categorize, or “tag”, them in pink!

Virtual Pet // Minigame Collection, Arcade Number 1 is Pou! Yes I'm totally using this game as an example because it's dumb and has a stupid name. Pou is a popular Virtual Pet game for mobile devices about taking care of a pet "Alien". The game is quite weird and features a collection of minigames of different genres to play with your pou.

Virtual Pet Number 2 is Tamagotchi! One of the earliest examples of the genre, and a very basic typical example. These games were made as their own handheld device, basically like a little key chain pet to take care of. Very basic but cute bite sized feeding and playing with your pet.

Virtual Pet // Games Collection, MMOSG Number 3 is Neopets! A very popular online website game, Neopets took the trend of Virtual Pets including minigames to the next level, having entire pretty much full games within the game used to earn coins to spend on your pet. Additionally the site featured some MMO social features to create a community around it.

Virtual Pet, MMOSG // Minigame Collection, Toys-To-Life Number 4 is Webkinz! An MMO Social Game and a Virtual Pet game at the same time. In this game you could take care of your pet but at the same time you could walk around as your pet and interact with other players as them. Additionally, this is a very early example of the "Toys-To-Life" concept, where buying a real toy or figure, or in this case plushie, would give you that toy in the game and let you play with or as them.

Virtual Pet Number 5 is Nintendogs + Cats! What might have been my own personal first Virtual Pet, these games might also be the cutest in the genre with their more realistic designs of cute animals. This game was advertised as a realistic alternative to pets, which is funny because I played it when I already had pets of my own as a kid. Regardless, taking care of and playing with these cute fuzzy dogs and cats was very fun! That concludes my second Video Game Genres Guide! Thank you for reading!

[daveg65]

336 - Strapping Two 5K Displays to Your Head

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, and Ben Roethig. The release of iOS 18.2 and Vision OS 2.2. We explore enhancements for the Vision Pro headset, which was named Popular Science's "Innovation of the Year," and discuss the headset's gaming potential and possible collaboration with Sony. We review key features of the latest iOS update, including Apple Intelligence tools, improved camera controls, and the new Genmoji. Additionally, we discuss the integration of ChatGPT in macOS applications and highlight updates for Apple Watch and HomePod. 

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com


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Summary

As we kick things off, we share excitement about the recent release of iOS 18.2 and its accompanying features, including the eagerly discussed Vision OS 2.2. This update introduces significant enhancements for users of Apple's Vision Pro headset, enabling a more immersive experience with support for ultra-wide displays equivalent to high-end 5K monitors.

We delve into the nuances of the Vision Pro's latest recognition as Popular Science's "Innovation of the Year," highlighting its advanced display system and the impact of generative features on user experiences. Our conversation takes an engaging turn as we explore how Apple's focus on gaming could reshape the Vision Pro's future. Speculation about a potential collaboration with Sony to support VR gaming controllers adds an exciting layer to our discussions on the headset’s capabilities.

As we pivot to the latest iOS update, we review noteworthy features like the implementation of Apple Intelligence tools, improvements to the camera controls, and the introduction of Genmoji, which sparks differing opinions among us. We emphasize the enhanced mail categorization features, addressing how these changes could streamline email management for users.

Then, we share insights on the latest happenings in the world of macOS, including the addition of ChatGPT integration across Apple’s productivity apps, providing an exciting shift in usability and user engagement. The conversation continues to touch on the new features rolled out for Apple Watch and HomePod, indicating Apple’s ongoing commitment to enhancing user experience across its device ecosystem.

As we wind down, we turn our focus to Microsoft’s recent announcements, spotlighting new capabilities that enhance integration between iPhones and Windows PCs, proving that interoperability is becoming increasingly important. Lastly, we share our predictions and expectations for upcoming Apple products and software, building anticipation for future episodes filled with even more exciting technological advancements.

Topics and Links

In Touch With Vision Pro this week. Apple Releases visionOS 2.2 With Ultrawide Mac Virtual Display

Apple Vision Pro Named 2024 'Innovation of the Year

Apple Vision Pro apps get a 5G boost with visionOS 2. 

Other info Apple eyes PlayStation VR2 controllers for Vision Pro update

Apple hopes to save Vision Pro with a fresh gaming strategy

Beta this week. PSA: There's an update available for users running iOS 18.2 RC

iOS 18.3 beta release date: Here’s when to expect the next update

It's release week! iOS18.2 and others were released. We reviewed some of the changes. 

iOS 18.2

Apple Releases iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 With Genmoji, Image Playground, Siri ChatGPT and More

Dave’s pet peeve with mail How to Turn Off Mail Categories in iOS 18.2

iOS 18.2 now available: Here are Apple’s full release notes on what’s new

iOS 18.2 Features: Everything New in iOS 18.2 

iOS 18.2 Brings Layered Voice Memo Recordings to iPhone 16 Pro

iOS 18.2: New features for your iPhone (other than AI)

New iOS 18.2 feature will ‘change the way we make music forever,’ says Bublé

iOS 18.2 Includes New Find My Option for Sharing Lost Luggage Location With Airlines

iOS 18.2 Mail Sorting Features Strangely Absent on iPad and Mac

Apple Releases watchOS 11.2 

Apple Releases HomePod Software 18.2 With Natural Language Search for Apple Music

Apple Releases tvOS 18.2 With Snoopy Screen Savers and Projector Support

In Touch With Mac this week

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.2 With New Apple Intelligence Features 

macOS Sequoia 15.2 Confirms New M4 MacBook Air Models Are Coming

News

Keynote, Pages, and Numbers Get Apple Intelligence Features

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Launching in 2025 

iCloud+ Storage Prices Increased in 10 Countries This Year

Several Apple TV+ Shows Score Golden Globe Nominations

Microsoft Teams for iPad now supports external webcams

Microsoft introduces feature that enables file sharing between iPhone and Windows PCs

Announcements

Macstock 8 wrapped up for 2024. But you can purchase the digital pass and still see the great talks we had including Dave talking about Apple Services and more. Content is now available! .  Click here for more information: Digital Pass | Macstock Conference & Expo with discounts on previous events. 

Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel https://youtube.com/intouchwithios follow him on Mastadon @daveg65, and the show @intouchwithios

  Our Regular Contributors

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet as well as Twitter and Instagram as @jgamet  His YouTube channel https://youtube.com/jgamet

Marty Jencius, Ph.D., is a professor of counselor education at Kent State University, where he researches, writes, and trains about using technology in teaching and mental health practice. His podcasts include Vision Pro Files, The Tech Savvy Professor and Circular Firing Squad Podcast. Find him at jencius@mastodon.social  https://thepodtalk.net 

Ben Roethig Former Associate Editor of GeekBeat.TV and host of the Tech Hangout and Deconstruct with Patrice  Mac user since the mid 90s. Tech support specialist. Twitter @benroethig  Website: https://roethigtech.blogspot.com

Here is our latest Episode!

[dailyrandomwriter]

Day 744

I said sometime ago that I would talk about the worries of excessive Internet screen time and the effect it had on virtual pet sites located in Europe, and here it is.

It’s funny kind of looking back on it, because this was a worry that came before Youtube was even really a thing, and smartphones weren't even a twinkle in Steve Job’s eye. However, virtual pet sites were very popular back then, many trying to follow in the footsteps of the giant that was Neopets. More importantly, something was going on with the parental groups in Europe involving screen time on the Internet.

Now, I didn’t know the details back then (and I still don’t) but I did get to see the results of that in websites that were based in Europe.

Specifically, there was a type of game mechanic in which the number of actions a player could take was limited to the creature the player was looking after. If the player was looking after more than one creature, then they had more actions they could take. Though these types of sites tended to put a cap on how many creatures you could look after at any given time. A very good website, that was well designed for this, could have a beginning player only play for five minutes a day, with a more advanced player playing for an hour tops.

This in theory, would limit the amount of screentime a player would then spend. In theory, because there was nothing stopping you from joining more than one pet site, having more than one account, or sometimes those sites had external activities outside of the game in which you’d spend time on.

As someone who had at one point three or four of these types of pet sites on the go, it was very possible to just go play other things.

Though these types of websites tend to be very forumlatic in nature. So, I didn’t find them very memorable. The one I found the most memorable was a website where you would raise a child from baby to about age 5 (I think). The goal of the website was to help your child meet all their milestones before going off to school. You got bonus rewards in items that would help raise your next child if you met all those milestones and then met them within a certain age range. You could also raise more than one child.

I had, by the near of my time on that website, gotten the baby-raising down to an art. I had staggered all my children so every day there was at least one child ready to go off to school and had enough resources to always do well. But I had enough resources, because at the time, I was also very much into Adobe Photoshop and making item art. 

One of the things the website allowed you to do, was make clothes that could be sold on user based shops using special currency that you could be rewarded for a job well done. The website provided the templates for all the clothes for each stage of life, so if you had a paint program, you could paint some clothes to sell to other players. This was important, because if you were very good, you’d get a lot of special currency in turn, currency that you could use to buy user made clothes from someone else. Not only did you get very nice clothing for your child, but user made clothing was the only clothing that did not degrade with use.

Normal clothes, after a child outgrew it, would be lost because it was worn out, but they didn’t do this with user made clothing. Probably because that currency could also be purchased. The side effect of that though, meant that the player didn’t have to spend money on clothes, because those clothes became constant hand-me-downs for every child they had. This meant that the player had more money to spend on things to help their children reach milestones, which gave them better rewards to buy things like unique clothing… rinse and repeat.

Honestly I got a bigger kick out of people buying my clothes to put on their babies than I did raising mine, and as a result spent way too much time on that website. Still nowhere near the amount I spent on Neopets as a child, or Gaia Online as a university student, but damn well near close.

[gjollani]

The Future of E-commerce: Predictions and Trends for Digital Retail in 2023 and Beyond

  E-commerce has been a rapidly growing industry in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated its growth. As we enter 2023 and beyond, there are several trends and predictions that are shaping the future of digital retail.

Increased Adoption of AI and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming e-commerce by enabling more personalized and efficient shopping experiences. In the future, we can expect to see more retailers adopting these technologies to enhance their product recommendations, improve their search algorithms, and create more engaging chatbots. AI-powered virtual shopping assistants can also help customers find products that meet their needs and preferences. These assistants can provide customers with personalized product recommendations based on their browsing history and purchase behavior, making it easier for them to find what they're looking for.

The Rise of Social Commerce

Social media platforms are increasingly becoming the go-to destination for shoppers. Social commerce, the practice of selling products directly through social media platforms, is expected to grow in popularity as retailers recognize the value of these platforms in reaching their target audience. Social commerce offers a seamless shopping experience, allowing customers to browse, purchase, and even share products with their friends and followers without leaving the platform. With more social media platforms adding e-commerce features, we can expect to see a rise in social commerce sales in the coming years.

Increased Adoption of AR and VR

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are also changing the e-commerce landscape. These technologies enable customers to try on clothes, see how furniture would look in their home, and even test out makeup virtually before making a purchase. As AR and VR technologies become more sophisticated and accessible, we can expect to see more retailers adopting these technologies to enhance their online shopping experiences. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, reduced returns, and higher conversion rates.

Digital Retail

The Growth of Mobile Commerce Mobile commerce is already a significant part of the e-commerce landscape, and it's only going to continue growing in the future. As smartphones become more advanced and ubiquitous, retailers will need to focus on creating mobile-friendly experiences to meet customers' expectations. Mobile commerce includes features such as mobile-optimized websites, mobile apps, and mobile payments. Retailers that can provide seamless mobile shopping experiences will be well-positioned to capture a growing share of the e-commerce market. The Importance of Sustainability Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for shoppers, and retailers are taking notice. In the coming years, we can expect to see more retailers focusing on sustainable and eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled materials, reducing waste, and offsetting their carbon footprint. Sustainability can also be a powerful marketing tool, as customers are more likely to support companies that align with their values. Retailers that can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability can build stronger relationships with their customers and differentiate themselves from competitors.

The Growth of Subscription Services

Subscription services are becoming increasingly popular in the e-commerce industry. Customers can sign up for regular deliveries of products they use regularly, such as household items or pet food. These services offer convenience and predictability, making them an attractive option for many shoppers. Retailers can benefit from subscription services by building a steady stream of recurring revenue and enhancing customer loyalty. As subscription services become more prevalent, we can expect to see more retailers offering these services to their customers. Increased Emphasis on Personalization

Personalization has been a trend in e-commerce for some time, but it's only going to become more important in the future. Customers expect personalized experiences that cater to their unique preferences and needs. Retailers that can provide personalized experiences will be more likely to build long-lasting relationships with their customers. AI and machine learning will play a significant role in personalization, enabling retailers to analyze customer data and provide tailored recommendations. Personalization can take many forms, from product recommendations to customized email marketing campaigns. The Importance of Cybersecurity As e-commerce continues to grow, so do the risks of cyber attacks. Retailers must prioritize cybersecurity to protect their customers' personal and financial information. A data breach can be devastating for both the retailer and the customer, eroding trust and damaging reputations. Retailers can take steps to protect their systems and data, such as implementing strong passwords, encryption, and multi-factor authentication. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, retailers must remain vigilant and invest in the necessary security measures to protect their customers' data. The Integration of Online and Offline Shopping Experiences The line between online and offline shopping experiences is becoming increasingly blurred. Retailers are using technology to create seamless shopping experiences across multiple channels, such as offering buy-online-pick-up-in-store (BOPIS) options or using QR codes to enable mobile payments in-store. Retailers that can create a consistent and integrated shopping experience across all channels will be more likely to attract and retain customers. By using technology to bridge the gap between online and offline shopping experiences, retailers can provide a convenient and seamless experience for their customers. Increased Use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) AR and VR technologies are becoming more sophisticated and accessible, and e-commerce retailers are beginning to take notice. By incorporating AR and VR into their shopping experiences, retailers can create immersive, engaging experiences that allow customers to see products in 3D, try on virtual clothing, or even visualize furniture in their home. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize the e-commerce industry, providing customers with a more realistic and interactive shopping experience. As AR and VR technology continue to evolve, we can expect to see more retailers experimenting with these technologies to enhance their e-commerce offerings. Expansion of Voice Commerce With the growing popularity of voice assistants like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, voice commerce is becoming an increasingly important channel for e-commerce retailers. By integrating their products and services with these voice assistants, retailers can provide customers with a convenient and hands-free shopping experience. Voice commerce is particularly useful for repeat purchases or routine tasks, such as ordering groceries or restocking household supplies. As voice assistants become more sophisticated and widespread, we can expect to see more retailers adopting voice commerce as a key part of their e-commerce strategy. Rise of Social Commerce

Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are becoming important channels for e-commerce retailers to reach and engage with customers. By using social media to showcase their products and offer exclusive deals and promotions, retailers can attract new customers and build brand loyalty. Social commerce allows retailers to leverage the power of social media to drive sales and build relationships with their customers. As social media platforms continue to evolve and expand their e-commerce capabilities, we can expect to see more retailers investing in social commerce as a key part of their e-commerce strategy. Growing Importance of Sustainability As consumers become more environmentally conscious, sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration for e-commerce retailers. Consumers are looking for products that are sustainably produced, packaged, and shipped. Retailers that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability are more likely to attract and retain environmentally conscious customers. In the future, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials for packaging, reducing carbon emissions from shipping, and sourcing products from environmentally responsible suppliers. Increased Adoption of Cryptocurrency As cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum become more widely accepted, we can expect to see e-commerce retailers adopting these payment methods. Cryptocurrencies offer several benefits for e-commerce transactions, including lower transaction fees and increased security and privacy. By accepting cryptocurrencies, e-commerce retailers can attract tech-savvy customers who are comfortable using these alternative payment methods. As cryptocurrencies continue to gain mainstream acceptance, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting them as a payment option. Growth of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Brands Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands have been growing in popularity in recent years, and we can expect this trend to continue in the future. DTC brands offer several advantages over traditional retail models, including lower prices, more personalized customer experiences, and greater control over the supply chain. As consumers become more comfortable with buying products online, we can expect to see more DTC brands entering the market and disrupting traditional retail models. DTC brands that can provide unique, high-quality products and a strong brand identity will be more likely to succeed in the competitive e-commerce landscape. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are already being used in e-commerce to enhance the customer experience, and we can expect to see even more widespread adoption in the future. AI and ML can be used to personalize the shopping experience, offer product recommendations, and even predict future purchasing behavior. For example, AI-powered chatbots can provide customers with instant support and help them navigate the purchasing process. ML algorithms can analyze customer data to offer personalized product recommendations and promotional offers. As AI and ML technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more innovative uses in e-commerce. Increased Focus on Customer Data Privacy and Security As data breaches and privacy concerns become more common, e-commerce retailers will need to prioritize data privacy and security to maintain consumer trust. Consumers are becoming more aware of the data that e-commerce retailers collect and are looking for more transparency and control over their data. Retailers that can demonstrate a commitment to data privacy and security will be more likely to attract and retain customers. This may involve implementing stronger security measures, such as two-factor authentication and encryption, as well as providing clear and concise privacy policies. Omnichannel Retail Omnichannel retail refers to the seamless integration of online and offline sales channels. In the future, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting omnichannel strategies to provide customers with a more convenient and flexible shopping experience.

For example, a customer may browse products online and then visit a physical store to try them on or receive expert advice from a sales associate. Alternatively, a customer may purchase a product online and then pick it up in-store or have it delivered to their home. Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) have the potential to revolutionize the e-commerce industry by providing customers with immersive, interactive shopping experiences. VR/AR technology can be used to simulate product demos, allow customers to try on virtual clothing or accessories, and provide 360-degree views of products. As VR/AR technology continues to advance and become more affordable, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers incorporating these technologies into their online stores. Retailers that can provide customers with immersive and engaging shopping experiences will be more likely to attract and retain customers. Social Commerce Social commerce refers to the integration of social media and e-commerce, allowing customers to purchase products directly from social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. As social media usage continues to grow, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers leveraging these platforms to reach customers and drive sales. Social media platforms are also investing in e-commerce features, such as Instagram's "checkout" feature, which allows customers to purchase products directly within the app. Retailers that can effectively use social media to connect with customers and drive sales will be more likely to succeed in the competitive e-commerce landscape. Voice Commerce Voice commerce refers to the use of voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant to purchase products. As voice assistant usage continues to grow, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting voice commerce as a sales channel. Voice commerce offers several benefits for customers, including convenience and hands-free purchasing. Retailers that can optimize their product listings for voice search and provide a seamless voice purchasing experience will be more likely to succeed in the emerging voice commerce market. Subscription Services Subscription services have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering customers a convenient way to receive products on a regular basis. We can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting subscription models in the future, offering customers everything from groceries to beauty products to pet supplies. Subscription services offer several benefits for customers, including convenience, cost savings, and personalized product recommendations. Retailers that can effectively implement and market subscription services will be more likely to attract and retain customers. Green and Sustainable E-commerce As consumers become more environmentally conscious, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting green and sustainable practices. This may involve using eco-friendly packaging, offering carbon-neutral shipping options, and partnering with sustainable suppliers. Retailers that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices will be more likely to attract and retain customers. In addition, consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for products that are produced sustainably and ethically, making green e-commerce a potentially lucrative market. Artificial Reality Commerce (ARC) Artificial Reality Commerce (ARC) is a new trend that combines elements of VR/AR, voice commerce, and artificial intelligence. ARC involves creating virtual retail environments that customers can explore using voice commands and natural language processing. This technology allows customers to interact with virtual sales assistants, try on virtual clothing and accessories, and explore products in a simulated retail environment. As the technology behind ARC continues to advance, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting this innovative sales channel. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have the potential to disrupt the e-commerce industry by providing a secure and decentralized payment system. As more consumers become interested in cryptocurrency and more retailers begin accepting it as a payment option, we can expect to see more e-commerce transactions conducted using cryptocurrency. In addition, blockchain technology can be used to create more transparent supply chains and to prevent fraud and counterfeiting. Retailers that can effectively implement cryptocurrency and blockchain technology into their e-commerce operations will be more likely to succeed in the future. Personalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Personalization and artificial intelligence (AI) have become increasingly important in the e-commerce industry, allowing retailers to provide customized product recommendations and personalized shopping experiences for customers. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers using AI to optimize product recommendations, personalize marketing messages, and improve customer service. AI can also be used to improve supply chain management, optimize pricing strategies, and prevent fraud. Retailers that can effectively leverage AI technology to enhance the customer experience and improve business operations will be more likely to succeed in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Omnichannel Retail Omnichannel retail refers to the integration of multiple sales channels, including brick-and-mortar stores, online marketplaces, and social media platforms. As consumers become more accustomed to shopping across multiple channels, we can expect to see more e-commerce retailers adopting an omnichannel approach. Retailers that can effectively integrate their sales channels and provide a seamless shopping experience across all channels will be more likely to attract and retain customers. In addition, an omnichannel approach can help retailers to optimize inventory management and increase sales. In conclusion, the future of e-commerce is full of exciting possibilities and challenges. By embracing trends such as cryptocurrency and blockchain, personalization and AI, and omnichannel retail, e-commerce retailers can stay ahead of the curve and provide the best possible shopping experience for their customers. As technology and consumer preferences continue to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the years to come.   Read the full article

[one-with-the-tree]

For the record, I live in the Netherlands where Webkinz was barely a thing to begin with. It wasn't nonexistent, but I've literally only seen Webkinz plushies at a Dutch toy store once throughout all my childhood. I did end up buying one, but I don't remember if the site was also available in Dutch.

Either way, My Epets was way more prevalent here, with the plushies (at the time) being sold everywhere and widely advertised. I don't know how popular it got elsewhere, seeing how I barely see anyone talk about it when Webkinz still gets mentioned regularly by other people.

But My Epets was my version of Webkinz. I would spend hours with my pets in this virtual world, I remember having nine of the plushies, mostly dogs but also a few others.

I never played much of Webkinz, but I had fun with My Epets, even if the virtual world wasn't very big and kind of glitchy (I once lost all of my progress and had to start over due to a glitch of the website). There was also the theme park world they would keep advertising as "coming soon" which was never actually finished.

The online game became publicly available to play (without needing a plushie plus code) after a few years (probably due to the plushies no longer being widely sold), but then more recently the game went defunct and nowadays the MyEpets.com website no longer even exists (domain is up for sale).

I do feel sad about it as this was a large portion of my childhood. I did also explore several other virtual worlds that had plushies + codes (LPS VIPs and of course Webkinz) but My Epets is where I would spend most of my time. And I miss it, even if it was simple and a bit glitchy.

As far as I'm aware the online game is now lost media.

Anyways I just wanted to dive into this somewhat obscure part of my childhood since I barely see My Epets brought up in favor of more popular virtual worlds like Neopets, Webkinz and Club Penguin.

This was my Webkinz

[foenixs]

i saw your skz as camboys and saw that you write for verivery too!! god bless you

would you mind writing vrvr as camboy headcanons 🥺 tysm ✨

Verivery as Camboys

note: i love these kinds of imagines, just boys being horny hoes

includes- sub!verivery, non idol!au, camboy!au, oral sex, choking, masturbation, selffuck, sex toys (cockring, dildo, gag, etc.), roleplay

if you like my fics please reblog them with a nice comment or tag

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dongheon

not at all the type of guy you’d expect to see on a raunchy website, which is exactly what makes him so popular

he gets hundreds of tips for simple things like choking himself while he masturbates or sucking on two fingers (he knows he doesn’t need to do much to rile people up and he uses that to his advantage)

lets his camgirl girlfriend sit on his face for hours as she reads their sexts to the audience

never does anything too kinky (has clear boundaries), but isn’t afraid of surprising his viewers with sth new

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hoyoung

bites his lip a lot and stares directly into the camera (can entrance you with his gaze)

gets off on the viewer count (the more the merrier), likes to imagine that someone he knows irl is secretly watching his streams

rides his own dick to brag about how big he is and has the viewers drooling to get a taste

writes his donators names on his body with red lipstick

can go for multiple rounds and won’t stop until his whole body is covered in his cum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minchan

loves to get spoiled by his viewers, always showing off the new toys and accessories he got sent

wears a crown to honour his title of “the slutty prince”

he’s very expensive and only starts stripping when he’s reached a certain amount of donations (his motto is “sit still, look pretty” and it works surprisingly well)

has a pretty pink cock ring nestled at his base that keeps him going for hours, only letting himself cum when the amount of money is worth getting himself dirty for

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gyhyeon

ties his hands together and fucks himself onto a dildo while he’s on his knees, legs spread (loves to be restrained, forced to get himself off in a specific way)

his loyal tippers gift him bigger toys to see just how far he can stretch himself open (uses a pump-up dildo to test his limits)

has a thing for tentacle shaped dildos (who needs the real thing when you can have a green monster cock shoved up your ass)

makes the prettiest faces (can cry on demand) and angles his cock so that he cums over his precious features and in his mouth

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yeonho

sexy mukbang, starts out by eating his dinner suggestively and ends up with a dildo down his throat (sometimes he eats so much that his stomach is bloating, loving the feeling of how much tighter his ass would be around his fingers)

uses gags a lot and loves to have both of his holes stuffed at the same time

loves to do roleplay and pet play and has a closet full of costumes (married to his cat ears)

is very loud and lets meows and growls slip as he’s humping the table he just ate on (not afraid to drink his own cum for desert)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yongseung

loves to pull a show and give his audience a virtual lap dance (slowly stripping naked as he sways his hips in front of the camera)

roams his body with his hands, smearing oil all over himself, until he is glistening in the dim light (has one of those lamps that can change colour)

shows off his hole and teases his rim as if it were his most prized possession (it is)

is very bendy and loves to try out new positions (has a list of positions that you can demand for a specific prize)

his recording room is decorated with nude pictures of himself (which are probably more compromising than his actual streams)

-

masterlist

-

taglist: @edolieeh , @weishinsofficialhypeman , @subbyboyhaven

[o-w-quinlan]

Digimon Ghost Game: Thoughts and Speculation

These last few days we’ve gotten enough information about the new Digimon anime that I feel comfortable going in-depth about my thoughts on it. Of course, since we’re still missing a description, or a trailer, or really anything beyond the name, the poster and the character design, all of this may end up wrong, but hey, the hype is its own enjoyment.

Thoughts

First thing noticeable about the trailer is that there’s only 3 main characters (plus their Digimon) this time around. Considering the ongoing problems of the Digimon Adventure 2020 writer team to give more than crumbs to their gigantic cast, going back to the trio teams of Tamers or Savers sounds like the right choice.

We also… don’t really see anything in the background. From most Digimon posters we can more or less guess if it’ll happen primarily on the Digital World or the Human one, but here it could be anything. The poses of the main characters are also different from what’s typical for a Digimon series. Often the posters have the characters ready to leap into action, or otherwise in awe of their fantastical surroundings. These three children… aren’t doing either. If anything, the main character (Hiro, apparently) looks slightly confused. The other two, Ruri and Seijiro, do look like they know what they’re doing (a return to Tamers and Savers with the protagonist being less experienced than his companions?), with Ruri sort of ignoring her surroundings to look at her phone and Seijiro in a very confident pose. The three Digimon behind them, on the other hand, are leaping into action. The way they are shadowed (when other promotional material has already revealed their appearances), as well as the “Ghosts? Holograms?” text in the poster, adds to their mysterious nature, which goes along well with the confusion on Hiro’s face.

Design-wise… I’m not a big fan. The Digimon themselves look a bit better in the promotional material than they did in the anime art we had of them, but Angoramon still looks bland, Gammamon looks sort of like V-mon in body shape and Hackmon in color scheme, and I understand both of those Digimon have a lot of fans but I’m not one of them. I really only like Jellymon, though she’s weirdly detailed for a Child Digimon. That said, I do like the diversity in designs these trio of Digimon have going for them. Gammamon is confirmed to be a Virus Digimon, so that’s the first protagonist Digimon to be a virus since Guilmon (further adding to the Tamers comparison).

The children though… I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of Digimon protagonists that look this bland? Hiro is the worst of the three, with almost absolutely nothing memorable going for him except of course red and blue clothes mean he’s the protagonist. The sole unique feature he has is the small scar on his left ear, which hopefully means there’s some backstory behind it. The other two, while better, still don’t make much of an impression. Ruri is fine, but she looks more like a Juri than a Ruki, if you catch my drift. Side character design rather than main character design. I do like that she seems to be taking the “smart one” role in the cast, if her focusing on her phone (looking up information?) is any indication. As for Seijiro… I’ll always like characters that are confident in themselves, but he looks like a mix between Kiriha from Xros Wars and Knight from Appli Monsters with a lot less personality than either of those two.

I do like that we’re breaking tradition by having a male tamer be paired with a female-looking Digimon. The opposite has happened quite a few times before (and it’s happening again in this show with Ruri and Angoramon), but Seijiro and Jellymon are the first time this has happened in a Digimon anime, I think (at least outside of Xros Wars having its protagonists be partnered to literal armies of Digimon).

So, overall, I like the mystery vibe this poster has, but don’t really like most of the designs. From a wider perspective of the franchise, though, I do love that we’re getting non-Adventure animated material (seems like the commercial success of Adventure 2020 was used for Good), and that the new digivice toy, the Digivice V, is just a new edition of the Vital Bracelet, bodes very well for the increased synergy between products the franchise currently has.

Speculation

The whole mystery vibe here leads me to believe that at least the beginning parts of the series will have Hiro constantly question the nature of Digimon. I suspect we’ll see some light horror tropes used for his first few interactions with Digimon, like in Tamers where Takato’s first meeting with Guilmon had the young boy terrified. Ruri and Seijiro do look like they know what they’re doing, though, and given that the mystery would be over pretty soon if they explained things to Hiro, perhaps we’ll see a more delayed introduction to them, like in Appli Monsters.

As for the plot of the series, the name “Ghost Game” as well as how the G’s in the title vaguely look like pins on a map make me believe the series will have something like a treasure hunt, or perhaps that the children will be investigating “mysterious” events in search of something. I mean, Cyber Sleuth is one of the most popular Digimon games, and it wouldn’t be strange for the anime to take some inspiration from it (Appli Monsters already referenced it in its Agumon episode). With that said, I believe this series will spend at least its first arc (if not most of the series) in the human world.

The emphasis on ghosts here makes me believe it will lean into that “Digimon may or may not be the same as mythological creatures from the past” idea that Digimon Adventure 02 introduced, and that Digimon Survive will use (if it ever actually releases). The various links between mythology and Digimon that Cyber Sleuth used and the ambiguity of how related they actually were (or if it was all one giant coincidence) was one of my favorite parts of it, so here’s hoping something similar is done here.

The fact that the main Digivice of the series is a Vital Bracelet and that each protagonist Digimon has a DIM card dedicated to them makes me think we’ll see this series lean into branched evolutions. Adventure 2020 was already emphasizing this to a further extent than anything before it, so perhaps Ghost Games will take this even further beyond.

Conclusion

Despite having some problems with the designs of the characters, I’m very excited for this series. It’s literally the first time since the 1999-2002 heyday that we’re getting anime series back-to-back, and if that isn’t proof of how much success Digimon has gotten in the past few years, I don’t know what is. The increased synergy here with the virtual pets department, as well as the updates and changes in the Reference Book website that there’s been in the past year which only hardcore fans of the lore could possibly care about but for which all of us hardcore fans are very grateful, make me hope they’ve learnt from their mistake back in the early 2000’s where it seemed nothing in the franchise had anything to do with anything else. Here’s hoping the series has more emphasis on characterization than the current Adventure 2020, too, considering they can no longer rely on their audience knowing these characters from previous works.

Eagerly waiting for a trailer or an update of its website for further news.

[digi-tama-in-your-pocket]

Does anyone remember Digimon Unlimited

I can't say I blame you if you don't. The Digimon v-pets are pretty niche among US Digimon fans sadly, and this was a pretty unknown fan game you could download on mobile. At first you could get it off the play store, then it was eventually removed in favor of a legally safe "androgotchi" knock off while Digimon Unlimited could only be downloaded from the app's website. Sadly, I think they're both defunct now, as Androgotchi will no longer start on my phone, and last time I tried Digimon Unlimited, the game stopped saving any progress I made once I closed the app.

Pictured above, my attempt to interpret the Androgochi sprites into actual designs in a process similar to what Digimon did, as there were no names or official art of the Androgochi. I interpreted this one as a hooded jawa type figure that becomes a Toku like super hero.

Anyway, about the actual Digimon Unlimited side of this post... it was pretty much a perfect recreation of the pendulum v-pets on mobile devices. You could shake it, your phone would make a sound, and your digimon would train, battle, hatch, or survive death accordingly. It was very neat. You could also customize your shell to look like a brick or a pendulum.

The coolest part is that much like our fancy 20th anniversary v-pets that didn't exist yet at the time, you could choose multiple eggs, and the roster was FUCKING HUGE. Seriously look at how huge this growth chart is: [link]

Any time you got a new Digimon, the app would automatically download their picture onto your phone, and there would be a little data-base you could browse of the digimon you've raised. It was neat. Though the images I found show colorized pixel art, I remember it being their official bandai art.

The game had online lobbies with a chat where you could battle your digimon, or you could jogress them. It was pretty neat but I was always too chicken to battle anyone since your digimon was prone to dying from battle if it had an evolution fail or was in it's last stage of life, and the game retained classic digimon's training system where if you just keep training your digimon it could become super fuck all strong. But besides that, you could use your phone's camera to scan QR codes or Bar Codes and fight an enemy digimon while you were out and about.

It's no exaggeration to say that this completely re-ignited my love for V-pets when I hadn't played with a virtual pet since like the very early 2000's, when you could still find OG Digimon and Tamagotchi in stores for 12 bucks before they kinda faded from popularity. I was so fucking sad when this app stopped working, because they weren't selling v-pets anymore.

You have no idea how happy I am that they're back on store shelves and better than ever with multiple eggs for the 20th anniversary editions, and more nuanced mechanics for the brand new v-pets. And now fans have worked to make v-pets able to battle online ( granted you need third party hardware and software to do it, but it's still cool, hoping to get me a premade A-com someday ), I'm just so grateful that Digimon V-pets are back. I still kind of miss Digimon Unlimited and Androgochi though.

[mangoshibi]

What are neopets? Are they like webkins?

Yeah! It’s an old virtual pet website like Webkinz that was super popular in the early 20′s ( they’re over 20 years old now!!). And when I say popular I mean, food packages, McDonald's toys, video games ( the darkest faerie on ps2 is my most favorite game on there ), and much more!!  

I can’t really recommend newer folks to it nowadays as I don’t think it would appeal much to many today. But if you like old flash games with funky and wacky little character give it a go! 

[dailyrandomwriter]

Day 734

Playing the Santae beta has been an interesting experience.

Not only because I get to be a bit of a geek and talk about the design of Santae with @were-ah, but because it’s given me a chance to observe myself. Normally when I play a game, I don’t think much about how I’m playing it until way after I’ve started a game. However, in games where there is a player economy, and especially in website games where player engagement is important to keep the site alive, noting player behaviour, including my own, becomes important.

And it’s just fascinating.

The folks at Bellular News have often joked about the human collective having ‘monkey brains’ and the ‘goopy gamer’ brain, among gamers. This is because as human beings, we have a terrible, terrible habit of wanting to be the most effective possible even if the most effective method is not good for us.

This is why timers in casual free to play games became so prevalent. The timer system forced players to check in those kinds of games on a regular basis as per the timer, which drove up player engagement, but didn’t necessarily mean you were having fun playing it. It was also why this was very popular on Facebook, because it forced the player to check into their Facebook, driving up traffic and again, engagement. And players felt compelled to do this, because checking in on your stuff just as the time was up allowed you to do that action more often throughout the day. It was a more effective way to play, but not necessarily more fun.

And interestingly in the case of Santae, not necessary, period.

Now, Santae does have timers, though their timers range from anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours before you can play certain mechanics again. This, by the way, is not for any malicious reason. Having timers on their gathering, harvesting and fishing mechanics prevents fast oversaturation of items, and more importantly you can reduce those items by buying in-game tools. They do not cost any real world cash, those tools are more likely virtual currency sinks to fight against inflation in the player economy. There’s also the fact that Santae is following in the footsteps of past virtual pet sites, which, depending where they were made, had timers or action limitations to them because of parental groups. So some of those mechanics just have become a bit standardized. American based websites tended to be not as affected by it, but may have gleaned some mechanics from that, while European based websites… They were interesting.

That by the way, is a fun topic for another time.

But the point is, Santae has timers, and they have a certain number of quests that can be filled in a day. This means as a player, I am compelled to try and be as effective with those timers and to fulfill as many quests as possible to be as effective as possible.

Except, I know logically, that is not necessary.

First off, there are about eight NPCs that offer quests, and each of them have their own limit cap. A cap that I’ve only ever hit with one NPC, leaving the other seven still available to me. Furthermore, despite the fact I have never hit the cap for all the NPCs, I’ve always earned a lot of virtual currency.

Like a ridiculous amount of virtual currency. Like I could go on a shopping spree for an hour and still have money to burn, and that is only after twenty minutes of doing quests. The quest rewards, once you understand how the mechanics work, are very generous.

This means two things. One, I do not need to reach my quest cap, I can just do quests for 30 minutes and I will be fine. Two, with those rewards, I can buy the best tools for harvesting, gathering and fishing, making the worry about not being the most effective with the timers around those mechanics completely moot.

By the way, those tools are expendable (because they are currency sinks to prevent inflation). And even if I bought a huge amount, I would still have cash leftover.

While the overly generous rewards may be a balancing issue, I think it’s more likely this was done on purpose. The demographic for this game are people around my age range because we grew up on these types of games. But as adults we don’t have as much time as we did when we were children. Designing a game like this allows me as an adult to play as much or as little as I want and not feel like I’m behind other players.

However, there is player behaviour to take into account. Like I said earlier, there’s a reason why the joke among the Bellular News crew is ‘monkey brains’ and ‘goopy gamer brains’. I’ve literally had to write a note in my game journal to myself to say, ‘chill, you don’t need to earn that much’.

And I really don’t. I even started playing the game how I think the designers wanted the players to play it, that is purposely to take time to fill out the collections of my pets, by spoiling them rotten. I buy a lot of random things in the shop that I might want to feed them, or collect or I just find shiny. I buy a lot of the expendable tools because I can and it means I can fill out more collections.

But, in the end, it is up to me to make sure I play the game optimally for fun, and not effectiveness. 

[purplesurveys]

1001

survey by voicedance16

Name A...

Name yourself:  I said this like, seven surveys ago. To make things different, I share my name with a bird and Rihanna’s first name. 

Name (one of) your best friend(s): Angela. Sister for life.

Name 3 things in your fridge/freezer: We have a loaf of white bread, a near-empty bottle of Japanese mayonnaise, and a tub of liver.

Name a color you're wearing currently: Pink and orange. I ended up going to the virtual Halloween party at work - went as Dora - and it was a blast. I’m SO glad impersonating our characters didn’t turn out to be mandatory; I just sat there and was happy to be there, lmao. 

Name the last thing you ate: A ham sandwich.

Name the last store you went to: Does the vet count? They sell pet food over there, so it’s kind of like a store I guess. I went last weekend because Cooper needed a heartworm test and a couple of shots.

Name the song you're listening to: Nada.

Name the artist of that song: See above.

Name your favorite animal: Dogs! Elephants are a close second.

Name what pets you have, if any: I have two dogs, an aspin and a beagle.

Name the town/state you live in: I won’t give away the city, but I will say Metro Manila is a literal stone’s throw away. I live right at the border.

Name something commonly ordered at Starbucks: Like...in general? I’m not aware of the most common food/drink ordered by other people but if I had to pick a guess, I know frappes are popular among my age group and the age group before us and that java chip is a popular flavor. But if you’re just referring to my usual, I like getting an iced caramel macchiato.

Name the last person you talked to in person: My dad. They gave us a box of Halloween donuts AND cake pops at work today :’) so I just asked my dad if he wanted a donut.

Name the last person you talked to on the phone: Mom. But my last call in general was a Zoom call with the entire company just a few minutes ago for the Halloween party.

Name the current day of the week: Today issss Wednesday.

Name the current month: October.

Name the current time: 6:55 PM.

Name the last movie you watched: I’m Thinking of Ending Things, blech. Need a happier movie to mention.

Name the last book you read: I’ve mentioned it too many times on a lot of recent surveys.

Name a place you've been on vacation: Bali.

Name a place you'd like to go on vacation: I desperately need to go back to Sagada, or at least Tagaytay. I think visitors are already allowed to go to the latter so I’m really eyeing a solo, soul-searching trip soon. As for places I’ve never been to before but would make for interesting vacations, I’d go with Chicago and Marrakesh.

Name 3 things you can see from where you're sitting: I can see an empty mug that used to contain coffee, a box of cake pops, and a purple pen.

Name your favorite musical: Miss Saigon.

Name an animal (any): The first animal that came to mind was dragonfly.

Name a fruit: Avocado, the only bitch in the house that I ever respected.

Name a vegetable: Broccoli, my favorite.

Name a common breakfast food: Where I live, beef tapa.

Name a color: Dandelion.

Name a type of flower: ...Dandelion!

Name a type of tree: Pine. Not that we have any here lol, but it’s the first kind I thought of.

Name a city: Uhh, idk. Let’s go with Seattle.

Name a state: I first thought of Wisconsin because I have a lot of family living there.

Name a country: Let’s go outside of the States and go with Sweden.

Name a continent: Asia.

Name a planet: Mars.

Name a girl's name: Clara. Such a pretty-sounding name.

Name the last person to comment you on Facebook: I haven’t had Facebook in weeks and I genuinely can’t remember from whom I received my last comment before I deactivated.

Name a clothing store/brand: Mango.

Name the last book you got at the library: It’s called History of the Filipino People, written by one of my great-uncles.

Name a restaurant: Max’s, even though their food sucks.

Name a grocery store: SM.

Name an iPhone app: Like, an Apple-exclusive app? I think Keynote is one of them.

Name an actor: Eddie Redmayne! One of my favorites.

Name an actress: Kate Winslet, my biggest crush through and through.

Name a music group: Destiny’s Child.

Name your favorite/lucky number: I don’t have a lucky number, but 4 is my favorite. I don’t have a solid reason for it to be my favorite; it just is.

Name something you've accomplished:  Graduating college from my dream school in my (then-)dream degree/course.

Name something you'd like to accomplish: Travel, and travel a lot.

Name someone who makes you laugh: Andi made me smile and chuckle a bit today, so let’s name them.

Name something exciting coming up soon: Nothing too specific, really. But I’m supposed to be receiving my internship cut any day now and it’s gonna be my first salary ever, so that’s pretty exciting :)

Name a song that makes you emotional: 26 by Paramore.

Name one of your pet peeves: People who call without texting or notifying beforehand. Holy fucking shit. A hiring manager did this exact thing to me yesterday and I rejected her call because she did not text first. I honestly have no regrets, and I wouldn’t have been bitter if she stopped pursuing me then. 

Name someone you know who is an amazing singer: Hannah, without a doubt.

Name someone who is the same religion as you: JM.

Name a holiday you celebrate: Christmas. I can hardly believe another one is coming up soon.

Name the last 4 digits of your phone number: Uh, no thanks.

Name one of your cousins: Sam.

Name a book you loved when you were younger: I used to really love the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage and I reread the first book, Magyk, more times than I could ever count.

Name a song you loved when you were younger: Big Girls Don’t Cry - Fergie.

Name your favorite movie: Two for the Road.

Name a popular book series: The Hunger Games, even though I never actually read it.

Name a musical instrument: A song played on a solo saxophone...

Name a language: German.

Name what other tabs you have open: On this window, just Bzoink. I just closed a YouTube tab.

Name 3 things on the walls of the room you're in: Audrey Hepburn wall decors, a painting that I’m trying to cover up with post-its to turn it into something positive, and uhhh my aircon is mounted to the wall if that counts lol

Name your house number: I’m not sharing that.

Name your high school: It’s an all-girls Catholic school in my city. I’ve shared the name before but I don’t feel like doing so tonight.

Name your college, if applicable: My college was in mass communication, but I went to university in UP.

Name your middle school: See high school.

name your elementary school Again, see high school.

Name the college you wish you went to/hope to go to: UP.

Name your favorite teacher: My music teacher throughout high school. I don’t like her subject, but I love her.

Name the color of your backpack: I haven’t had to use a backpack in a while but my main one is pink.

Name a dessert: Creme brulee. I don’t memorize which letters have those accent marks and I don’t feel like looking that up right now.

Name a famous landmark: Because I can clearly read the next question, the Statue of Liberty.

Name a place you might go in NYC: I’d go straight to my uncle’s so that he can show me the good spots. He has a lot of cool friends who run their own bars/restaurants in the city so if anyone knows how to have a good time in NYC without having to go to all the big tourist places, it’s him. GOD I can’t wait to go to New York.

Name an inventor: Hedy Lamarr.

Name an article of clothing: Scarves.

Name an ice cream flavor: Mint chocolate chip, yum.

Name a religion: Buddhism.

Name an emotion: Resentment. 

Name a room in your house: My bedroom, because that’s where I’m staying in at the moment.

Name a website: Wikipedia.

Name a car: This is pretty vague. A kind of car? Hatchback. Are you looking for a make? Toyota. Or maybe a specific model? Honda Civic. I gotchu.

Name something you need to do today: SLEEP. I should not be awake at 11 PM.

Name someone you admire: Andi.

Name someone you miss: At the moment, nobody.

Name a part of the body: Elbow.

Name the last youtube video you watched: I bawled my eyes out to a video playing the audio to Ben&Ben’s Kathang Isip because that song makes so much goddamn sense and is relatable now. Can’t I just go back to a simpler time when that song was just fun to listen to and wasn’t actually relevant to my life? I hate music sometimes.

Name a quote you love: I don’t have one.

[eddlestonian]

Passwords

001 Many sites on the internet require passwords.  Although they seem a nuisance, they protect you.  Consider them like a key to a door.  

002 Why bother with passwords?

(i) Financial Management

For most people this means online banking.  If you use a weak password it is likely it will eventually get hacked.  Needless to say this could result in you losing money.

(ii) Auction Sites

If someone hacked your account they could make binding bids or buy things in your name.

(iii) Stock Trading

This is like (i) plus (ii).  Someone could buy or sell stock or have stock transferred.

(iv) Social Media

Hacked social media accounts can be used to post compromising messages that could embarrass or defame somebody, be used for harassment, or to build up a picture of who you are and everyone you know.  This could result in a visit from the police.  Social media is also very useful for hackers for enabling identity theft.

(v) Shops

Hacking one of your shopping accounts (e.g. Amazon) would only be an issue if you have a “stored” payment method such as credit card details.

If you discover that your payment information was used to ship unexpected goods to an unknown location, it’s clear that someone has hacked your account.

(vi) Gambling

A hacker could generate debts on your behalf.

003 How To Design a Good Password

The important things when designing a password (in order) are make it -  

(i) Memorable,

(ii) Long – the longer the better (at least 12 characters),

(iii) Complex,

(iv) Different for different sites.

004 The Core of the Password

First of all create a “core” password with a string of letters.  Three ways ways of doing this include -  

(i) Initial Letters

Open your favourite book.  Go to a memorable page e.g. your birthday. Read the first sentence.  For me this would be “The Age of Reason” by Sartre.  My birthday is on the 23rd.  The first sentence of the first paragraph on page 23 is “Boris bitterly regretted never having been there, he would certainly go if it reopened.”

This makes bbrnhbthwcgiir – 14 characters.  If I forget it I just have to go to my favourite book.

(ii) Relevant but Not Guessable Words

This could be a street name, hill names, school name, stream name(s), car. Don’t use words relevant to you or close family.  However, you could use a relative’s street name etc.  Hill or mountain names, especially if non-English, are good.  Similarly, the name of your school is bad because a hacker could probably get it from Facebook. So use a relative’s school instead.  The advice regarding streams/rivers is the same as for hills/mountains.  If the resulting password is too short add something relevant.

So, examples from these could be -

springwoodbank (where my parents-in-law lived)

anteallach (a Scottish mmountain)

bluemountainsgrammar (a school in Australia)

severnriver (a river far away)

deloreanbelfast (not my car!)

or -

Look out of the window -  flowerwheelbarrowbinhusband

Look at your wall - picturetelevisionblue

Look at your spouse - greynoseartist

(iii) A Silly Phrase

Examples could be -

weneedanewcomputer

mustremembermilk

quickbrowndogs

lillylikeschocolate

myneighbourisnoisy

dollypartonhasbigboobies

These are long and memorable.

005 Make The Password More Secure

The core password generated as above satisfies the first two criteria – long and memorable.  You could use it as it is.  However, to make it even better we can add complexity.  There are three easy ways of doing it – add special characters and/or numbers and use mixed case.  But where to put the number and special characters?  The easiest is between each word (ignoring example (iii) above) but the better way would be to place it in random places.  The downside here is that random places make   it less memorable.

(i) Special characters such as !, £, $, _

flower_wheelbarrowbinhusband

bbrnh£bthwcgiir

springwood!bank

we_need£a$new_computer

Bear in mind that some sites only allow certain special characters.

(ii) Numbers

The question here is how to decide what numbers to use.  Anything relevant to you or your close family is bad because it is available online from various sources (e.g. Facebook, Linkedin, Ancestry).  Of course 123456 is bad.  You could use something random but then it won’t be so easily memorable.  Ignoring close family, you could use the birth date of, say, your mother (or even better, your grandmother).  For me that would be 07071936.  You could use one or more of these numbers -

flower07wheelbarrow07bin19husband35

bb07rnhb07thw19cgiir35

07spring07woodbank1935

w07eneedane07wco19mput35er

(iii) Mix upper and lowercase letters

FlowerwheelbarrowbinhusbanD

bbrnhbthwcGiir

SpringWoodBank

wEnEEdanEwcomputEer

(iv) To make an extremely secure password, use all three complexity methods -

Flower_07wheelbarrow07bin19husbanD35

bb07rnh£b07thw19cGiir35

07Spring07Wood!Bank1935

w_07EnEEd£a$nE07w__co19mput35Er

006 Create Different Passwords For Different Websites

You could use the same password for each website but if that gets hacked it would mean the hacker would have access to all of your accounts online.  So, how to make it unique for each website?  Here are some suggestions.

(i) Add the name of the site to your password

Flower_07wheelbarrow07bin19husbanD35amazon

bb07rnh£b07thw19cGiir35ebay

07Spring07Wood!Bank1935twitter

w_07EnEEd£a$nE07w__co19mput35Erfineartamerica

(ii) Add an acronym relevant to the site

Flower_07wheelbarrow07bin19husbanD35azn

bb07rnh£b07thw19cGiir35eb

07Spring07Wood!Bank1935twt

w_07EnEEd£a$nE07w__co19mput35Erfaa

(iii) Add numbers

How to choose a number relevant to the site?  An easy way is the length of the name of the site -

Amazon = 6

Ebay = 4

Twitter = 7

Fineartamerica = 14

To make it harder for the hacker “pad” it to three digits; -

Amazon =  006

Ebay = 004

Twitter = 007

Finartamerica = 012

So we get -

Flower_07wheelbarrow07bin19husbanD35006

bb07rnh£b07thw19cGiir35004

07Spring07Wood!Bank1935007

w_07EnEEd£a$nE07w__co19mput35Er012

007 Storing Passwords

Generally speaking, storing passwords anywhere is a bad idea but if you really can’t remember your passwords, here is some advice.

(i) Write Them Down

Writing your passwords on a piece of paper and sticking it to your screen or under your keyboard is a bad idea.  

So find that favourite book again and your favourite page and slip your password note in there.  What happens if a burgler finds it? Burglars rarely, if ever, are interested in passwords – they are looking for cash or small high value items to sell on quickly.

If you have accepted the advice above you have a core password used for all sites.  For each site you have added a three-digit number at the end.  This means all you have to do is store your core password because you can work out which password to use for each site but others would have a hard time figuring it out.  

For example, instead of storing

Flower_07wheelbarrow07bin19husbanD35006

use

Flower_07wheelbarrow07bin19husbanD35

Even if a burglar/hacker tries to use the password it will not work anywhere.

(ii) Password Manager

A password manager is a computer program that allows users to store, generate and manage their passwords for local applications and online services.

Types of password managers include:

locally installed software applications

online services accessed through website portals

locally accessed hardware devices that serve as keys

Password managers typically require a user to generate and remember a master password to unlock the password manager.  Many password managers offer additional services such as storage of credit card and frequent flier information.

Password managers come and go but the popular ones in 2021 are LastPass, myki, LogmeOnce, Norton and bitwarden

The two downsides of using a password manager are that you usually have to pay for it and, of course, if the password manager gets hacked your passwords are exposed.

(iii) Security Key

A security key looks a bit like a USB pen.  It allows you to securely log into your accounts without having to key in passwords.  They usually just plug into a USB port.

There are various security keys available so its worth shopping around and comparing them.  For example scan.co.uk sells the Hypersecu FIDO Titanium Pro (works in Windows, Apple devices and Android) which currently does well in reviews.

In addition to managing passwords a security key can combat real-time attacks such as man-in-the-middle (MITM), prevent phishing, make keylogging impossible and protect PINs from brute force attacks.

The problem is that they can be difficult to set up.

008 How To get Hacked (Bad Security Online)

(i) Use Number Substitutions in Passwords

Common substitutions are -

a = @

s = $

o = 0

e = 3

i /l = 1

So, ”myamazonassword” becomes “my@m@z0nA$$w0rd”

Hackers are aware of this so number substitution is a bad idea.

Note – this is substitution not addition (discussed above).

(ii) Use Personal Information in Passwords

Examples are -

Your birthday,

Close family names (sons, daughters),

Pet name,

Your address.

(iii) Repeating Characters in Passwords

1234567

aaaaaaaaa

abcdefg

abcabcabc

(iv) Same Password for All Sites

Someone who culls your Facebook or Twitter password in a phishing exploit could, for example, access your bank account.   Reusing passwords for email, banking, and social media accounts can lead to identity theft. Two recent breaches revealed a password reuse rate of 31% among victims.

(v) Auto Sign In

Do not allow your computer to automatically sign into sites on boot-up

(vi) “remember me”, Automatic sign-in option

Do not use “remember me” or Automatic sign-in option which is available on some web sites.

(vii) Alien Computers

Do not enter passwords on a computer you don’t control, such as a friend’s computer, because you don’t know what spyware or keyloggers might be on that machine.

(viii) Open WiFi

Do not access password-protected accounts over open WiFi networks or any other network you don’t trust unless the site is secured via HTTPS. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you travel a lot.

(ix) Keyboard Combinations in Passwords

Avoid consecutive keyboard combinations such as qwerty or asdfg.

(x) Security Questions

The names of spouses, kids, other relatives, or pets, can be deduced with a little research.  When you click the “forgot password” link within a webmail service or other site you are often asked to answer a question or series of questions.  The answers can often be found on your social media profile.  This is how Sarah Palin’s Yahoo account was hacked.

(xi) Social engineering

This is an elaborate type of lying.  An alternative to traditional hacking, it is the act of manipulating others into performing certain actions or divulging confidential information.