Neopets: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Virtual pet site}}

'''Neopets''' (formerly known as '''NeoPets''') is a popular online [[virtual pet]] simulation game. The creators of the site are [[Adam Powell]] and [[Donna Williams]], but the company was bought by [[Doug Dohring]] soon after being created. Neopets started out as a site for bored college students but quickly grew into a children's site, and is currently one of the most popular mainstream sites ever. Users ("Neopians") have to care for their Neopets by feeding and playing with them. Users can also play games to earn Neopoints, (NP), Neopian [[currency]] that can be used to purchase items that interact with their Neopets.

{{Redirect2|Quiggle|Codestone|the U.S. Navy admiral|Lynne C. Quiggle|the type of artificial stone|Coade stone}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}

== Account basics ==

{{Infobox video game

| title = Neopets

After creating an account, Neopians can have up to 4 different pets. There are 47 different Neopet species, with most being fictionalized versions of real animals. For example, the [[Nimmo]] is a stylized [[frog]], the [[Blumaroo]] is [[kangaroo]]-like, and the [[Chia (Neopets|Chia]] is [[gopher]]-like. There are also Neopets versions of popular fantasy creatures, such as [[dragons]]. Users can customize their pets by selecting gender, color, (choice of red, blue, yellow, or green) and name (provided another user hasn't already chosen the name).

| image = [[File:Neopets_logo_2024.png|200px|class=skin-invert]]

| caption = ''Neopets'' logo

Neopets grow older, and must be fed and played with from day to day to stay happy. There are many stages of hunger, starting from "bloated" to "dying". Neopets will never die, or starve to death. So, if your neopet's hunger status says "dying", it is okay. They can also read books and battle each other [[Pokémon]]-style. Neglecting your Neopet will result in their unhappiness, and they will be unwilling to follow commands, but Neopets never die. Neopians can give their pets a different colour past the basic choices, such as purple and grey, if they purchase a Paintbrush.

| developer = Neopets, Inc. (1999–2005)<br/>[[Nickelodeon Games]]<ref name="Nick Kids" /> (2005–2014)<br/>[[JumpStart Games]] (2014–2023)<br/>[[NetDragon Websoft]] (2023)<br/>World of Neopia, Inc. (Independent) (2023–present)

| publisher = Neopets, Inc. (1999–2005)<br/>[[Nickelodeon]] (2005–2014)<br/>[[JumpStart Games]] (2014–2023)<br/>[[NetDragon Websoft]] (2023)<br />World of Neopia, Inc. (2023–present)

| designer = [[Adam Powell (game designer)|Adam Powell]] (1997–2005)<br/>[[Donna Powell (game designer)|Donna Powell]] (1997–2005)

| engine =

| released = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1999|11|15}}

| genre = [[Fantasy]], [[Digital pet]]

| modes = [[Single-player]] with [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] interaction

| platforms = [[Cross-platform]], web game

}}

'''''Neopets''''' is a [[free-to-play]] [[virtual pet site|virtual pet]] [[browser game]]. First launched in 1999, the game allows users to own virtual pets ("Neopets") and explore a virtual world called "Neopia." Players can earn one of two [[virtual currency|virtual currencies]]. One currency, called Neopoints, can be obtained for free through on-site features like games, events, and contests. The other, Neocash (NC), is purchased with real-world money and can be exchanged for wearable items for pets.

Neopians gain the Neopoints to care for their pets and purchase items by playing games. Many of the games are interactive [[Flash]] or [[Shockwave]] games similar to older games -- "Meerca Chase" is very similar to [[Snake/Video game|Snake]] while "Korbat's Lab" is like [[Arkanoid]]. There are also numerous PHP games, such as "NeoQuest" and "Pyramids." Items are then purchased in either main shops, which are automatically restocked by the game, or in user-owned shops.

Players can buy digital food, toys, and other items for their Neopets to keep them happy. They can also customize the appearance of their Neopets by applying different colors, clothing, accessories, and styles. Additionally, users can train their Neopets to fight in the "Battledome," which offers both [[PvP]] and [[PvE]] battles. Players interact with others through social features like message boards and guilds, or by buying, selling, and trading items with each other.

==Environment==

The entire game takes place on the fictional planet of '''Neopia.''' The main world is Neopia Central, a city where the main stores are based out of. There are also different themed worlds: "[[Tyrannia]]" ([[prehistoric]]), "[[Faerieland]]" ([[fairy|faries]]), "[[Mystery Island (Neopets)|Mystery Island]]" ([[Polynesia|Polynesian]]), "[[Haunted Forest]]" ([[Halloween]]), "[[Krawk Island]]" ([[pirates]]), "[[Lost Desert]]" ([[Egypt|Egyptian]]), "[[Terror Mountain]]" ([[winter]]/[[Christmas]]), "[[Jelly World]]" ([[jelly]]), "[[Virtupets Space Station]]" ([[UFO]]), "[[Kreludor]]" ([[moon]]), and "[[Meridell]]" ([[medieval]]). There are also mini worlds and sub-worlds. Each of these worlds has unique shops, games, and activities pertaining to its theme.

==History and development==

These worlds are generally introduced through in-game plots. For example, a former world, "[[Maraqua]]" ([[underwater]]), was destroyed by the Krawk Island pirates, which lead to the "discovery" of Krawk Island.

=== Creation and growth (1999–2005) ===

==Interaction==

''Neopets'' was conceived in 1997 by [[Adam Powell (game designer)|Adam Powell]], a [[British people|British]] student at the [[University of Nottingham]] at the time. He shared this idea with [[Donna Powell|Donna Williams]] and the two started work on the site in September 1999, with Powell responsible for the programming and the database and Williams the web design and art. Their original office was located in [[Guildford]].<ref name="NT52" /> With the help of two friends, the site launched on 15 November 1999.<ref name="about" /><ref name="Trahan" /><ref name="Klotz" /> Powell stated that the original goal was to "keep university students entertained, and possibly make some cash from banner advertising".<ref name="Headon" /> The site contained [[popular culture]] references, such as a Neopet that was simply a picture of entertainer [[Bruce Forsyth]], and another that was a cartoon version of singer [[Macy Gray]].<ref name="Kushner" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-10 |title=15 Things You Forgot About Neopets |url=https://screenrant.com/neopets-trivia-facts-secrets-you-forgot/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

Once a Neopian becomes comfortable with the basics, they can begin spending their Neopoints on items beyond caring for their pets.

The user base grew by [[word of mouth]] and by [[Christmas]] 1999, ''Neopets'' was logging 600,000 [[page view]]s daily and sought investors to cover the high cost of running the site. Later in the month, [[Americans|American]] businessman [[Doug Dohring]] was introduced to the creators of the site and, along with other investors, bought a majority share in January of the following year.<ref name="Weintraub" /> Neopets, Inc. was incorporated by Dohring in February 2000, and began business on 28 April. Dohring used [[Scientology]]'s Org Board to manage the company.<ref name="Kushner" /><ref name="Bellman" /> Powell and Williams were unaware of the Scientology connections until searching the employees at the newly formed company six months later but did not address this until the company hired a woman to introduce Scientology to ''Neopets''. Powell and Williams stopped the addition of any Scientology education to ''Neopets'' and ensured such content never made it into anything site-related.<ref name="Bellman" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/neopets/comments/26fwhh/i_am_donna_one_of_the_founders_of_neopets_ask_me/chqqpbo?context=3 |title=I am Donna, one of the founders of Neopets, ask me anything... |last=Williams |first=Donna |publisher=reddit |date=2014-05-25 |website=Reddit |access-date=2021-04-17 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104072327/https://www.reddit.com/r/neopets/comments/26fwhh/i_am_donna_one_of_the_founders_of_neopets_ask_me/chqqpbo/?context=3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Every Neopian can have a shop, "Neodeck," and "Neohome." Players can buy items from other players' shops or sell them in their own shop. Items to sell in stores can be bought from the official stores or from other players, "found" through a random event, won in an auction, or traded for. Neodecks hold virtual trading cards. Neohomes can be bought for a certain number of Neopoints for each room. Furniture can be placed in the Neohomes, and extensions (lights, insurance, etc.) can be bought.

With the new company, [[intellectual property]] that did not belong to ''Neopets'' was removed but the site kept the [[American and British English spelling differences|British spellings]].<ref name="Kushner" /> The website made money from the first paying customers using an advertising method trademarked as "[[#Immersive advertising|immersive advertising]]".<ref name="Weintraub"/><ref name="immersive" /> In 2004, ''Neopets'' released a premium version and started showing advertisements on the basic site that were not shown to premium members.<ref name="González" />

Any Neopian can join or create a "guild," essentially a club for users. These usually have a theme, such as the "Faerie Guild" or the "Nimmo Lovers Guild." There are message boards inside of the guilds, only accessible to members of that guild.

In the 2000s, ''Neopets'' was consistently noted as one of the "[[sticky content|stickiest]]" sites for children's entertainment. A press release from ''Neopets'' in 2001 stated that Neopets.com led in site "stickiness" in May and June, with the average user spending 117&nbsp;minutes a week.<ref name="yahoo4" /> ''Neopets'' also led in the average number of hours spent per user per month in December 2003 with an average of 4 hours and 47&nbsp;minutes.<ref name="Myers" /> A 2004 article stated that [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen//NetRatings]] reported that people were spending around three hours a month on ''Neopets'', more than any other site in its Nielsen category.<ref name="Eckstein" /> By May 2005, a ''Neopets''-affiliated video game producer cited about 35 million unique users, 11 million unique IP addresses per month, and 4 billion web page views per month. This producer also described 20% of the users as 18 or older, with the median of the remaining 80% at about 14.<ref name="Gamespot" />

Part of the reason why Neopets is so popular is that it is continually changing: new items, games, plots, etc. are introduced every day. The ability to amass large amounts of Neopoints and rare items is a challenge for competitive people.

=== Viacom (2005–2014) ===

[[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]], the American conglomerate that owns [[Nickelodeon]], purchased Neopets, Inc. on 20 June 2005 for $160 million and announced plans to focus more on the use of [[banner ad]]s over the site's existing immersive advertising.<ref name="Viacom" /><ref name="Myerhoff" /> Founders Powell and Williams left Neopets, Inc. shortly after the purchase due to creative differences.<ref name="Bellman" /> The following year, a gaming event called The Altador Cup was released to improve interactivity between users and to coincide with the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]; it had 10.4 million participants in its first year.<ref name="Minishow" /><ref name="Altador Cup" /> 2006 also saw the release of ''Neopets Mobile'', a [[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]] exclusive premium service which allowed users to visit the new land of Lutari Island. The service was discontinued on 30 June 2009, leaving the island completely inaccessible.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neopets Mobile - Jellyneo.net |url=http://www.jellyneo.net/?go=mobile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716111956/http://www.jellyneo.net/?go=mobile |archive-date=16 July 2018 |access-date=16 July 2018 |website=www.jellyneo.net}}</ref> ''Neopets'' was consistently ranked among the top ten "stickiest" sites by both Nielsen//NetRatings and [[comScore|comScore Media Metrix]] in 2005 and 2006.<ref name="dmwmedia" /><ref name="Gaudiosi" />

As of [[May]] [[2004]] Neopia is inhabited by over 77 million users, and over 114 million pets. Updated statistics may be found on the [http://www.neopets.com/world.phtml Neopets 'World' Page].

The game website was redesigned on 27 April 2007 and included changes to the user interface and the ability to customise Neopets.<ref name="nf070423" /> In June, Viacom promoted ''Neopets'' through [[interstitial program|minishows]] on its Nickelodeon channel. Promotions included the second Altador Cup and led to an increase in traffic through the site.<ref name="González" /> However, according to Nielsen//NetRatings, in 2007, ''Neopets'' lost about 15% of its audience over the previous year.<ref name="mediaweek" /> On 17 July, the NC Mall was launched in a partnership with Korean gaming company [[Nexon Corporation]]. It allows users to use real money to purchase Neocash to buy exclusive virtual items.<ref name="Nexon" /> In February 2008, comScore ranked it as the stickiest kids entertainment site with the average user spending 2 hours and 45&nbsp;minutes per month.<ref name="prnewswire" /> On 17 June 2008, Viacom formed the [[Nickelodeon Kids & Family Virtual Worlds Group]] to "encompass all paid and subscription gaming initiatives across all relevant platforms", including ''Neopets''.<ref name="Nick Kids" /> By June 2011, ''Neopets'' announced that the website had logged 1 trillion page views since its creation.<ref name="nf110613" />

Neopets has branched out, and in addition to the website, it now also produces a range of merchandise, such as plushies, stickers and hand-held video games. In [[September]] [[2003]] Neopets released a [[trading card game]] produced by [[Wizards of the Coast]].

=== JumpStart and NetDragon (2014–2023) ===

[[JumpStart Games]] acquired the Neopets property from [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.neopets.com/nf.phtml?nf_date=2014-03-17#js | title = New Features - 18th March - Illusen Day | date = 2014-03-18 | website = Neopets.com | publisher = | access-date = 2021-04-15 | quote = }}</ref> Server migration began in September. JumpStart-owned Neopets was immediately characterized by glitches and site lag.<ref name="Perez" /> On 6 March 2015, much of the Neopets Team remaining from Viacom were laid off. Then-CEO of JumpStart David Lord assured the community that there were no plans to shut down Neopets, and instead resources were allocated to develop new "events and stories" and address site stability and overall performance on [[mobile game|mobile platforms]], with plans to expand to additional platforms including [[Facebook]].<ref name="Kiberd" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jellyneo.net/index.php?comments=10057|title=Jellyneo.net - Neopets Help, Neopets Guides, and Neopets News!|website=www.jellyneo.net|access-date=16 January 2017|archive-date=18 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118032516/http://www.jellyneo.net/index.php?comments=10057|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the weekend of 27–28 June 2015, the site's [[word filter|chat filters]] stopped working. The site's forums were flooded with age-inappropriate messages.<ref name="Coy" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/neopets-community-melts-down-eat-my-ho-butt-1714610137|title=Neopets Community Melts Down: "Eat My Ho Butt." [Update]|first=Brian|last=Ashcraft|website=Kotaku|date=29 June 2015|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=30 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430001033/https://kotaku.com/neopets-community-melts-down-eat-my-ho-butt-1714610137|url-status=live}}</ref> In a statement on [[Facebook]], JumpStart apologized, explaining that the issue was due to a "facility move," and that during that move, the moderation team was not able to access the Neopets community.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Neopets/posts/10153297122846005 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/348470121004/10153297122846005 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Neopets|website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In January 2017, Neopets then-JumpStart CEO David Lord estimated 100,000 active daily users.<ref name="Yeo" /> On 3 July 2017, Chinese company [[NetDragon Websoft|NetDragon]] acquired JumpStart Games.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netdragon-acquires-jumpstart-to-expand-its-online-communities-300483164.html|title=NetDragon Acquires JumpStart to Expand Its Online Communities|author=NetDragon Websoft Holdings|website=PR Newswire|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref> The Neopets team started developing in-universe plots again in 2017 for the first time since the JumpStart acquisition,<ref name="Perez" /> with the first such event going live in late 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bookofages.jellyneo.net/events/wraith-resurgence/ |title=The Wraith Resurgence |website=Jellyneo |date=28 January 2021 |access-date=29 July 2023 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713051225/https://bookofages.jellyneo.net/events/wraith-resurgence/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2020, Neopets logged 3.4 million views per month, a significant decline from its peak.<ref name="Perez" /> With support for [[Adobe Flash]] ending in 2020, the Neopets Team announced in 2019 that it planned to transition Flash elements of the site to [[HTML5]] by the end of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Leah |title=Neopets is in Danger Of Shutting Down in 2020 [Updated] |url=https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/10/neopets-flash-player-migration-shut-down-2020/ |website=Gizmodo Australia |date=29 October 2020 |access-date=30 January 2021 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212064157/https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/10/neopets-flash-player-migration-shut-down-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The team prioritized converting popular features, and some parts of the site were left non-functional when Flash support ended.<ref name="FavisLiao" /> The Neopets Team also announced the development of a mobile app for the site, which was later scrapped in favor of a "mobile-friendly" browser version of the site which launched via an open beta on 9 June 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hart |first1=Sarah Grace |date=2020-06-10 |url=https://nerdist.com/article/neopets-mobile-site-launches/ |title=NEOPETS Prepares for a Mobile Comeback |website=Nerdist |access-date=2023-07-29 |archive-date=2022-12-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220101751/https://nerdist.com/article/neopets-mobile-site-launches/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=2018-12-27 |title=New Neopets mobile app will replace website in summer 2019 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/neopets-mobile-app-legends-and-letters-1273051 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904224034/https://www.newsweek.com/neopets-mobile-app-legends-and-letters-1273051 |archive-date=4 September 2019 |access-date=2019-09-04 |website=Newsweek}}</ref> In June 2020, JumpStart CEO Jim Czulewicz estimated Neopets had 100,000 daily active users and 1.5 million monthly active players.<ref name="Liao" />

On 13 June 2023, JumpStart announced it would be closing on 30 June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jellyneo.net {{!}} Neopets Help, Neopets Guides, and Neopets News! |url=https://www.jellyneo.net/?comments=14351 |access-date=2023-06-15 |website=www.jellyneo.net |archive-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614191502/https://www.jellyneo.net/?comments=14351 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Metaverse ====

On 22 September 2021, the Neopets Metaverse [[NFT]] project was announced in collaboration with JumpStart, Cherrypicks, Raydium, and Moonvault.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://moonvaultpartners.com/strategy |title=Moonvault Partners |access-date=2023-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cherrypicks.com/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Cherrypicks |title=Cherrypicks A regional Mobile Technology and Mobile eCommerce leader specializing in smart city, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, eWallet and ___location intelligence |archive-date=2021-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123093625/https://www.cherrypicks.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Neopets Metaverse was to feature a "modernised 3D remake of the classic Neopets game" where players would be required to own Neopets NFTs to play.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Neopets Metaverse {{!}} Legendary Virtual Pet Game |url=https://www.neopetsmeta.io/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> Prior to the official launch of the metaverse, the project put 20,000 Neopets NFTs up for sale but only 4,225 were purchased.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Suaya |first=Stacy |date=2023-02-22 |title=Neopets: Boulevard of Broken Childhood Dreams|url=https://superrare.com/magazine/2023/02/22/neopets-boulevard-of-broken-childhood-dreams/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=www.superrare.com |language=en}}</ref> A unique visual glitch revealed that at least one of the promotional images on the Neopets Metaverse website advertising these NFTs was generated using the Neopets fan site Dress to Impress; the image was replaced shortly after it was noticed.<ref name=":1" /> The project received a significant amount of criticism from within the Neopets community and it was formally canceled in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jiang |first=Sisi |date=2021-09-28 |title=How Dare Neopets Taint My Childhood With NFTs |url=https://kotaku.com/how-dare-neopets-taint-my-childhood-with-nfts-1847762677 |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=Kotaku |archive-date=6 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006152851/https://kotaku.com/how-dare-neopets-taint-my-childhood-with-nfts-1847762677 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2021-10-12 |title=Neopets players are finally united: 'No Neopets NFTs' |url=https://www.polygon.com/22722915/neopets-nft-controversy-noneonfts-metaverse |access-date=2021-10-14 |website=Polygon |archive-date=13 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013080109/https://www.polygon.com/22722915/neopets-nft-controversy-noneonfts-metaverse |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== World of Neopia (2023–present) ===

On 17 July 2023, it was announced that Neopets had been purchased from NetDragon through a management buyout deal led by Neopets Chief Metaverse Officer Dominic Law, the former Director of New Markets at both NetDragon and Cherrypicks.<ref name="AWSHK2022">{{cite web |url=https://aws.amazon.com/tw/events/industry-week-hk/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |title=AWS Industry Week Hong Kong 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313021403/https://aws.amazon.com/tw/events/industry-week-hk/ |archive-date=2022-03-13 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The resulting independent company, World of Neopia Inc., is composed of team members from both Neopets and Neopets Metaverse, including Dominic Law as CEO. It was also stated that the site had operated at a loss for over a decade and it announced that Neopets had received $4 million in investment funding in early 2023. Additional funding from the management buyout is said to equip World of Neopia, Inc. to make "meaningful changes in pursuit of a Neopian renaissance."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/@neopetsofficial/a-new-era-for-neopets-fdb5c9ac187e |title=A New Era for Neopets! |access-date = 2023-07-17 |date=2023-07-17 |work=[[Medium (website)|Medium]]}}</ref> The changes include a homepage revamp and plans to create a mobile app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Angel |date=20 July 2023 |title='A New Era' of Neopets is Officially Here as Brand Announces New Leadership Team |url=https://people.com/neopets-launches-new-era-website-7563280 |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> Following the transition, it was reported that the site achieved its highest revenue stream in 2023 since 2017 (which was the same year Netdragon acquired Jumpstart), and had tripled its monthly active userbase from 100,000 to 300,000 users by April 2024. Dominic Law also claimed that the company was on track to be profitable by the end of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mafia97 |date=2024-02-28 |title=Legendary Virtual Pet Game Neopets Announces Record-breaking 2023 Business Results: MAU Surges 100%, Revenue Reaches New Peak Since 2017 |url=https://www.hgunified.com/home/legendary-virtual-pet-game-neopets-announces-record-breaking-2023-business-results-mau-surges-100-revenue-reaches-new-peak-since-2017.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Kari |date=2024-04-14 |title=How Neopets’ nostalgic revival tripled users in six months |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/14/neopets-revival-millennial-gaming-nostalgia |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> It was also reported that the site demographics had shifted to be significantly older compared to when the website was at its peak, with the majority of users now being over the age of 18 with 40% being reported to between the ages of 25 and 34, and 26% of users being between the ages of 18 and 24, which was reportedly due to many users of the site now being drawn to use Neopets due to [[nostalgia]] reasons.<ref name=":3" />

==Gameplay==

[[File:View_of_Community_Central_page_on_Neopets.com,_January_2024.png|thumb|Screenshot of the Neopets Community Central in 2024]]

''Neopets'' allows users to create and care for [[digital pet]]s called "Neopets" and explore the [[virtual world]] of Neopia. There is no set objective for the users, but they are expected to feed and care for their Neopets when they grow hungry or ill. Neopets will not die if neglected, but their health can limit their gameplay.<ref name="Wingfield" />

Neopets come in a variety of species and colors and users can create or adopt their own. Users can obtain items to interact with their Neopet, such as books to read and toys to play with them. Neopets can be customised with certain clothing items, paintbrushes, morphing potions, and accessories. Neopets themselves can have pets of their own called Petpets.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

Users can build a customisable Neohome for their Neopets and furnish it with furniture, wallpaper, and flooring. Neopets can battle against other Neopets or [[non-player character]]s in the Battledome but they cannot die there.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

[[File:neohome.jpg|right|210px|thumb|A customisable Neohome]]

Neopia is a virtual planet with fantasy lands inhabited by Neopets and other virtual creatures. Each land has a different theme, such as [[Pirates in popular culture|pirates]] or [[prehistory]], and their own shops, games, and attractions.<ref name="Baybak" /> Neopia follows its own [[Gregorian calendar|calendar]] and [[time zone]], which runs concurrent with real-world [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific Time]],<ref name="NT185" /> and has tie-ins with certain real-world holidays such as [[Halloween]] and [[Christmas]].

It has its own [[economy]] and [[trade]] markets based on Neopoints. Users can earn Neopoints through various means including playing games and selling items, which can be invested or used to buy various virtual goods and services.<ref name="Myers" />

The site is regularly updated with features like new games, items, and content. Occasionally, the Neopets team release interactive [[story arc|storylines]] to expand the in-universe lore.<ref name="Coy" /> In addition to the site content updated by the Neopets team, users also contribute [[user-generated content|content]] to the site.<ref name="NeopetsFAQ" /> User contributions come in the form of prescreened submissions and readily editable content that is automatically [[wordfilter|filtered]], such as the site's weekly electronic newspaper ''The Neopian Times''. There are different types of submissions that will be accepted.<ref name="compback" />

===Games===

Users can earn Neopoints from playing games. Games come in many different genres, which include action, puzzles, and chance. Most games have set maximum earnings or playtime. Players may also earn trophies and other awards from games if they [[highscore|score high enough]] or perform better than other users. Both [[single-player]] and [[multiplayer]] [[browser games]] are available.

The site houses over 100 games; the earliest games released were simple browser-based [[PHP]] games.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Editorial |url=https://www.neopets.com/ntimes/index.phtml?section=editorial&issue=465 |work=Neopian Times |publisher=Neopets |issue=456}}</ref> Most of the site's games run on [[Adobe Flash Player]], while a handful of others use [[Adobe Shockwave Player]]. In April 2020, in anticipation of the [[Adobe Flash Player#End of life|discontinuation of Adobe Flash]], ''Neopets'' released [[HTML5]] versions of seven of these games, followed by the release of an additional three in October 2021.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Neopets - Release Notes (for Beta site) |url=https://www.neopets.com/releasenotes/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=www.neopets.com}}</ref> In January 2021, Adobe Flash was discontinued, making most of the original Adobe Flash games impossible to play without workarounds. In July 2023, most of the original Flash games were restored via the site's integration with the [[Ruffle (software)|Ruffle]] Adobe Flash emulator, with some games experiencing compatibility issues.<ref name=":2" />

Users can also participate in contests and spotlights judged by staff to showcase the users' talents. Quests to retrieve items may also be performed for specific [[non-player characters|NPCs]]. Challenges may be made against other players or random players in a "World Challenge" for a prize piece and Neopoints from the jackpot for certain [[web game]]s. Monthly competitions also exist for multiplayer games with four week-long elimination rounds.<ref name="Contests" />

===Economy===

[[File:Neopets_Stock_Market_webpage.png|right|210px|thumb|The Neopets Stock Market]]

The [[economy]] is based on Neopoints. Users can also exchange real money for Neocash, used exclusively for the NC Mall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neopets.com/ntimes/index.phtml?section=editorial&week=303 |title=Editorial |access-date = 2007-09-10 |date=2007-08-03 |work=[[Neopian Times]] |publisher=[[Neopets, Inc.]]}}</ref> Users can earn Neopoints through playing games, selling items, and other transactions.<ref name="Ito"/> Once earned, they can be saved in the bank, used to buy items from other users or [[non-player character]] (NPC) shops, used to buy and sell stocks in the Neopian [[stock market]] called the NEODAQ (a parody of the [[NASDAQ]]), or used to buy various other things.<ref name="Myers"/> Items can be bought from shops found throughout the world of Neopia that are run by NPCs who may allow [[bargaining]]. Users can open their own shops to sell items, sometimes after obtaining those items at a lower price from sources such as other shops or charities. Items may also be exchanged through trading or auctions.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

==== Black market ====

In 2021, it was reported that a black market had arisen on the site, mainly driven around unconverted Neopets that had become unavailable for new users after the art style for default Neopets changed in 2007. As not all Neopets were converted during the art style change, unconverted Neopets had become valuable. A number of these unconverted Neopets were stolen from users by others who used them in both on and offsite transactions and sold for real money.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2021-03-16 |title=Inside the Neopets ‘black market’ |url=https://www.polygon.com/22334511/neopets-still-exists-black-market-cheating |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2021-03-08 |title=Neopets is reckoning with black market pet trading |url=https://www.polygon.com/22319750/neopets-uc-pets-trading-black-market |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> This black market had reportedly existed for years without intervention until 2024. In January 2024, ''Neopets'' announced the launch of the Styling Studio and Style Tokens. By using NeoCash, users can purchase Styling Studio Supplies which can then be used to obtain Style Tokens. These tokens allow for the toggling and use of old and alternative pet art.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2024-01-18 |title=Neopets community in delight and discord over the return of original pet art |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/24043212/neopets-uncoverted-pets-uc-nc-pet-styles |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Community===

''Neopets'' has a community for users to chat with and contact other users. Each user has their own profile they can edit with [[HTML]] and [[CSS]] and are represented by [[Avatar (computing)|avatars]] provided by the website, as users cannot upload their own. Most avatars must be "unlocked" by completing certain in-game tasks, such as winning a contest or getting a high score on a game.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Neopets Avatar Solutions &#124; Jellyneo.net|url=https://www.jellyneo.net/?go=avatars|access-date=2023-03-16|website=www.jellyneo.net|archive-date=19 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619185014/https://www.jellyneo.net/?go=avatars|url-status=live}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=July 2023}}

Users may request other users to be "Neofriends" or block other users from contacting them. To comply with [[Children's Online Privacy Protection Act|COPPA]], users under 13 years of age cannot access any of the site's communication features without sending in parental consent via fax.<ref name="Rosen" /> The main features include:

* NeoMail, a personal in-game communication system like regular [[email]]. Users can write messages to other users and restrict who can contact them through NeoMail.

* Neoboards, public [[Internet forum|discussion boards]] for on-topic discussions. Users can enter their own "neoHTML", a restricted form of [[BBCode]], to customise their posts and signatures.

* Guilds, groups of users with similar interests and their own message board.

Discussions through these features are restricted and may not involve topics such as dating and romance or controversial topics like politics and religion. Continuous [[Forum moderator|moderation]] is performed by paid ''Neopets'' staff members, and users can help moderate the site by reporting messages they believe are inappropriate or offensive. Messages are also automatically [[wordfilter|filtered]] to prevent users from posting messages with profanity or lewd content.<ref name="Rosen"/>

==Reception==

Described as an online cross of ''[[Pokémon]]'' and ''[[Tamagotchi]]'',<ref name="Headon"/><ref name="Weintraub"/> ''Neopets'' has received both praise and criticism. It has been praised for having educational content. Children can learn [[HTML]] to edit their own pages.<ref name="Boese" /> They can also learn how to handle money by participating in the economy.<ref name="commonsensemedia" /> Reviews from [[About.com]] and MMO Hut considered the multitude of possible activities a positive aspect.<ref name="About.com" /><ref name="MMO Hut"/> [[Women and video games|Most of the users are female]], higher than in other [[massively multiplayer online game]]s (MMOGs) but equivalent to [[social-networking]]-driven communities.<ref name="Pace" /><ref name="NextGen" /> Lucy Bradshaw, a vice president of [[Electronic Arts]], attributes the popularity among girls to the openness of the site and said, "Games that have a tendency to satisfy on more than one dimension have a tendency to have a broader appeal and attract girls".<ref name="Ha" />

Luck & chance games draw criticism from parents as they introduce children to gambling. In Australia, a cross-[[promotion (marketing)|promotion]] with [[McDonald's]] led to controversy with ''Neopets''' luck/chance games in October 2004. Australian [[tabloid television]] show ''[[Today Tonight]]'' featured a nine-year-old boy who claimed the site requires one to [[gamble]] in order to earn enough Neopoints to feed one's Neopet or else it would be sent to the [[animal pound|pound]].<ref name="Wenn" /> While gambling is not required, nor are pets sent to the pound if unfed, the website includes games of chance based on real games such as [[blackjack]] and lottery [[scratchcard]]s. After this incident, ''Neopets'' prohibited users under the age of 13 from playing Neopets's casino-style games.<ref name="Kushner" />

===Immersive advertising===

{{see also|Interactive advertising}}

Immersive advertising is a trademarked term for the way ''Neopets'' displayed advertisements to generate profit after Doug Dohring bought the site.<ref name="Kushner" /> Unlike [[Pop-up ad|pop-up]] and [[banner ad]]s, immersive ads integrate advertisements into the site's content [[interactive advertising|in interactive forms]], including games and items. Players could earn Neopoints from them by playing [[advergames]] and taking part in online marketing surveys. Prior to the arrival of the NC Mall, it contributed to 60% of the revenue from the site<ref name="Wingfield" /> with paying [[Fortune 1000]] companies including [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], [[General Mills]], and [[McDonald's]].<ref name="Fonda" />

It was a contentious issue with the site with regard to the [[Marketing ethics#Market audience|ethics of marketing to children]]. It drew criticism from parents, psychologists, and consumer advocates who argued that children may not know that they are being advertised to, as it blurred the line between site content and advertisement. Children under eight had difficulty recognizing ads and half a million of the 25 million users were under the age of eight in 2005.<ref name="Kushner" /><ref name="Fonda" /> Dohring responded to such criticism stating that of the 40 percent of users twelve and younger, very few were seven or eight years old and that preschoolers were not their target audience.<ref name="Fehrenbacher" />

Others criticised the functionality of the site. Susan Linn, another psychologist and author of ''Consuming Kids: The Hostile Takeover of Childhood'' considered the purpose of this site was to keep children in front of advertisements.<ref name="Pace" /> [[Kalle Lasn]], editor-in-chief and co-founder of ''[[Adbusters]]'' magazine, said the site encouraged kids to spend hours in front of a screen and recruited them to [[consumerism]].<ref name="Kushner" /> ''Neopets'' executives stated that paid content constituted less than 1% of the site's total content.<ref name="Pace" /> Children were not required to play or use sponsor games and items, and all ads were marked as such.<ref name="Kushner" /><ref name="Fonda" />

=== Customer security ===

In July 2009, it was reported that the ''Neopets'' site was the target of an [[identity theft]] scheme that attempted to trick users into clicking a link that would install [[malware]] onto the user's computer. According to reports, the scheme was aimed not at child players' ''Neopets'' accounts, but at using the malware to steal the financial data and identities of their parents. Viacom stated that it was investigating the issue, and that the reports referred to a version of [[social engineering (security)|social engineering]] rather than an "indictment of Neopets security practices".<ref name="ID theft" /> In an on-site newsletter, ''Neopets'' claimed that the site's security measures prevented the posting of such links.<ref name="NT400" />

In 2016, [[Motherboard (Vice)|Motherboard]] reported that the account information of an alleged 70 million of Neopets accounts had been compromised.<ref name="Cox" /> The hack contained usernames, passwords, email addresses, birth dates, gender, and country from 2012 (prior to JumpStart's acquisition), but did not contain credit card information or physical addresses.<ref name="Cox" /><ref name="Shively" /> Neopets responded by sending emails to all affected players.<ref name="Shively" /><ref name="In order to be transparent" />

On 20 July 2022, Neopets confirmed that it had suffered a data breach the day prior. The data breach exposed Neopets' entire database schema, including usernames, emails and passwords of its 69 million users.<ref name="TheVergeBreach">{{Cite web |last=Faife |first=Corin |date=21 July 2022 |title=Hackers have breached the Neopets virtual pet community |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/21/23272628/neopets-hack-data-breach-69-million-stolen-accounts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721154635/https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/21/23272628/neopets-hack-data-breach-69-million-stolen-accounts |archive-date=21 July 2022 |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=The Verge}}</ref> Neopets responded by forcing a password reset for all users on 1 August 2022, causing some players to be locked out as they no longer had access to the e-mail addresses linked to their accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=2022-08-02 |title=Some Neopets users are locked out of their accounts following data breach |url=https://www.polygon.com/23289144/neopets-data-breach-password-reset-disaster |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822210051/https://www.polygon.com/23289144/neopets-data-breach-password-reset-disaster |archive-date=22 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> On 29 August 2022 Neopets sent an e-mail to users detailing the results of their subsequent investigation.

==Merchandise==

The popularity of ''Neopets'' spawned real-world merchandise including clothing, jewelry, stickers, books, cereals, [[video game]]s and more, sold at mainstream outlets and online retailers. ''Neopets'' merchandise often contains a code which can be redeemed on the site for an in-game reward. In 2003, [[Doug Dohring]] said that ''Neopets'' had always planned to "bring the online and offline worlds together in ways that have never been done before".<ref name="toymania" />

Neopets, Inc. signed various licensing deals with companies such as Viacom Consumer Products, Thinkway Toys, and [[Jakks Pacific]] over the years.<ref name="Viacom license" /><ref name="Thinkway" /><ref name="IndianTVfeb176" /> ''Neopets: The Official Magazine'' was a bi-monthly magazine launched in September 2003; it was replaced in 2008 by ''Beckett Plushie Pals'', which featured ''Neopets'' news as well as other companies' products such as [[Webkinz]]. [[Wizards of the Coast]] released the ''[[Neopets Trading Card Game]]'' in September 2003, which was promoted in three of General Mills "Big G" cereals<ref name="General Mills" /> and ten [[Simon Property Group]] malls.<ref name="mall" /> It received two different nominations for "Toy of the Year" as well as other recognitions before being discontinued in 2006.<ref name="TCG awards" /> In June 2024, [[Upper Deck Company]] released a new trading card game called the ''Neopets Battledome Trading Card Game''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-20 |title=Neopets Battledome Trading Card Game: Relive the Magic of Neopia! {{!}} Upper Deck Blog |url=https://www.upperdeckblog.com/2023/07/neopets-battledome-trading-card-game-relive-the-magic-of-neopia/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-03 |title=Neopets Battledome TCG launches in June 2024 |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/neopets-battledome-tcg-release-date-2641181/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=www.gameshub.com |language=en-AU}}</ref>

In 2005, it was announced that a ''Neopets'' feature film was in production. It was to be written by Rob Lieber and produced by Dylan Sellers and [[John A. Davis]] for [[Warner Bros.]], but the project was later cancelled.<ref name="McClintock" /> On 10 February 2020, [[Blue Ant Media]]'s Beach House Pictures announced that a ''Neopets'' animated television series was in development and was set to air in 2021, though there have been no recent updates.<ref>{{cite news|author=Samuel Galman|url=https://www.cbr.com/neopets-animated-series-development/|title=Neopets' First Animated Series Is in Development|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|date=11 February 2020|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=12 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212145649/https://www.cbr.com/neopets-animated-series-development/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Makena Kelly|url=https://www.theverge.com/21293330/neopets-animated-series-launch-fall-2021-merch-plush-mobile-site|title=Neopets animated series will launch in fall 2021|website=[[The Verge]]|date=16 June 2020|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030114344/https://www.theverge.com/21293330/neopets-animated-series-launch-fall-2021-merch-plush-mobile-site|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Video games ===

In 2005, ''Neopets'' expanded to video game deals.<ref name="Wingfield" /> Two video games were released by Sony Computer Entertainment, ''[[Neopets: The Darkest Faerie]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] in 2005 and ''[[Neopets: Petpet Adventures: The Wand of Wishing]]'' for the [[PlayStation Portable]] in 2006. In 2007, [[MumboJumbo]] developed the match-3 PC game ''Neopets: Codestone Quest''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brodie |first=Joel |date=17 September 2007 |title=Neopets: Codestone Quest Review |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/2007/09/17/neopets-codestone-quest-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226110831/https://www.gamezebo.com/2007/09/17/neopets-codestone-quest-review/ |archive-date=26 February 2020 |access-date=22 March 2019 |work=Gamezebo}}</ref> In 2008, ''[[Neopets Puzzle Adventure]]'' was released for [[Nintendo DS]], [[Wii]], and PC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hatfield |first=Daemon |date=2008-06-03 |title=Hands-on: Neopets Puzzle Adventure |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/03/hands-on-neopets-puzzle-adventure |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The following year, the handheld game ''Neopets: Quizara's Curse'' was released for the [[LeapFrog Didj]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=LeapFrog Enterprises Announces 14 Titles for 2009 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/leapfrog-enterprises-announces-14-titles-for-2009 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}</ref> In August 2011, ''Neopets'' launched the tie-in game ''Treasure Keepers'' on [[Facebook]], but it was discontinued in December of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glasser |first=A. J. |date=2011-12-14 |title=Meteor Games Sunsets Neopets: Treasure Keepers, Allegedly Cuts Staff |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/meteor-games-sunsets-neopets-treasure-keepers-allegedly-cuts-staff/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=www.adweek.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

A number of ''Neopets'' [[mobile game]]s for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]] have also been released. In 2015, ''Neopets'' released the match-3 game ''Ghoul Catchers''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The New Neopets App Is Just As Addicting As Destruct-O-Match |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/bkubm6/neopets-ghoul-catchers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129060400/https://www.mtv.com/news/bkubm6/neopets-ghoul-catchers |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2023 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, ''Neopets'' released the puzzle game ''Legends and Letters''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=2019-02-28 |title=Neopets’ new mobile game won’t save it from extinction |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/28/18068518/neopets-legends-letters-new-mobile-game-puzzles-dragons |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> Both ''Ghoul Catchers'' and ''Legends and Letters'' were discontinued in May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-10 |title=Neopets Creators Are Looking To Bring Game To A Modern Console |url=https://www.gamingbible.com/news/pc-neopets-creators-aiming-to-release-game-on-switch-says-report-20210410 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=GAMINGbible |language=en}}</ref> In May 2022, ''Neopets'' released the construction simulation game ''Island Builders''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Neopets: Island Builders |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/neopets-island-builders/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref> In December 2022, ''Neopets'' released the match-3 game ''Faerie's Hope''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Technology Martin Cid |date=2022-12-15 |title=Neopets Launches Faerie's Hope |url=https://martincid.com/technology/neopets-launches-faeries-hope/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Martin Cid Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> In Spring 2024, ''Island Builders'' was relaunched under the new name ''Tales of Dacardia''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neopets |title=Introducing NeoPass, A New Gateway to Neopia |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-neopass-a-new-gateway-to-neopia-302101050.html |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Neopets: Tales of Dacardia - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neopets.islandbuilders&hl=en_US |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=play.google.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Club Penguin]]

*[[JumpStart]]

*[[MMORPG]]

*[[Moshi Monsters]]

==References==

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name="NT185">{{cite web |url=http://www.neopets.com/ntimes/index.phtml?section=editorial&issue=285 |title=The Neopian Times, Issue 185, Editorial |access-date = 2007-09-24}}</ref>

<ref name="Myers">{{cite web |url=http://www.mediavillage.com/pdf/2004/03-18-04.pdf |title=Neopets.com Fulfills Promise of Immersive Advertising |access-date = 2007-09-10 |last=Myers |first=Jack |date=2004-03-18 |work=Jack Myers Report |publisher=JACK MYERS, LLC |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071026182323/http://www.mediavillage.com/pdf/2004/03-18-04.pdf |archive-date = 2007-10-26}}</ref>

<ref name="Baybak">{{cite news|author=M. Baybak & Co. Inc. |title=NeoPets.com Launches Dramatic New Form of Internet Advertising, Results Far |url=http://www.commercialalert.org/issues/culture/neopets/neopetscom-launches-dramatic-new-form-of-internet-advertising-results-far |publisher=[[Business Wire]] |date=2000-12-05 |access-date=2007-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927234041/https://www.commercialalert.org/issues/culture/neopets/neopetscom-launches-dramatic-new-form-of-internet-advertising-results-far |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="Rosen">{{cite news|first=Craig |last=Rosen |title=It's a Whole Neo World; Neopets.com is a Raging Success. But Some Find It Inappropriate and Even Scary |url=http://www.commercialalert.org/issues/culture/neopets/its-a-whole-neo-world-neopetscom-is-a-raging-success-but-some-find-it-inappropriate-and-even-scary |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2005-04-14 |access-date=2007-09-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927234054/https://www.commercialalert.org/issues/culture/neopets/its-a-whole-neo-world-neopetscom-is-a-raging-success-but-some-find-it-inappropriate-and-even-scary |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="Contests">{{cite web |url=http://www.neopets.com/contests.phtml |title=Neopets Contests |access-date=2011-12-13 |publisher=Neopets Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="Wenn">{{cite web |url=http://www.ghsouthern.org.au/gurublog/neopetstodaytonight.pdf |title=Parents not McHappy over pokie toy |access-date=2007-09-10 |last=Wenn |first=Rohan |date=2004-10-14 |work=[[Today Tonight]] |publisher=[[Gambler's Help|Gambler's Help Southern]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050618175415/http://www.ghsouthern.org.au/gurublog/neopetstodaytonight.pdf |archive-date=18 June 2005 }}</ref>

<ref name="NeopetsFAQ">{{cite web |url=http://info.neopets.com/presskit/faqs.html |title=Frequently Asked Questions |access-date=2008-06-09 |work=Neopets Press Kit |publisher=Neopets, Inc. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070701120250/http://info.neopets.com/presskit/faqs.html |archive-date=2007-07-01}}</ref>

<ref name="compback">{{cite web |url=http://info.neopets.com/presskit/compback.html |title=Neopets Company Information |access-date=2008-06-09 |work=Neopets Press Kit |publisher=Neopets Inc. |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070704061455/http://info.neopets.com/presskit/compback.html |archive-date=2007-07-04}}</ref>

<ref name="yahoo4">{{cite web|url=http://info.neopets.com/presskit/articles/archive/yahoo4.html |title=NeoPets.com Continues Stickiness Leadership |access-date=2007-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20030528075308/http://info.neopets.com/presskit/articles/archive/yahoo4.html |archive-date=28 May 2003 }}</ref>

<ref name="nf070423">{{cite web|url=http://www.neopets.com/nf.phtml?nf_date=2007-04-23 |title=New Features |publisher=Neopets |access-date=2015-03-07}}</ref>

<ref name="nf110613">{{cite web|url=http://www.neopets.com/nf.phtml?nf_date=2011-06-13 |title=New Features |publisher=Neopets |access-date=2015-03-07}}</ref>

<ref name="about">{{cite web|url= http://www.neopets.com/aboutus.phtml|title= Neopets – About Us|access-date= 2007-04-27|quote= The site was launched on 15th November 1999.|archive-date= 21 January 2011|archive-url= http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20110121235508/http://www.neopets.com/aboutus.phtml|url-status= live}}</ref>

<ref name="Weintraub">{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2001/tc20011212_9434.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011213021900/http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2001/tc20011212_9434.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 December 2001 |title=Real Profits from an Imaginary World |access-date = 2007-08-08 |first=Arlene |last=Weintraub |date=2001-12-12 |work=BusinessWeek Online |publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="Kushner">{{cite magazine |last=Kushner |first=David |author-link=David Kushner (writer) |date=December 2005 |title=The Neopets Addiction |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |volume=13 |issue=12 |url=https://www.wired.com/2005/12/neopets/ |access-date=2007-09-09}}</ref>

<ref name="immersive">{{cite web |url=http://demo.neopets.com/aboutus/page06.html |title=Immersive Advertising |access-date=2008-06-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050419030507/http://demo.neopets.com/aboutus/page06.html |archive-date=2005-04-19}}</ref>

<ref name="Viacom">{{cite news |title=Viacom agrees to buy Neopets |url=http://infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1147093.cms |agency=Reuters |date=2005-06-20 |access-date=2007-04-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012120311/http://infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1147093.cms |archive-date=12 October 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="Myerhoff">{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Myerhoff |title=Viacom adopts NeoPets and their millions of owners |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_27_27/ai_n14811960 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107210302/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_27_27/ai_n14811960 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-01-07 |work=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]] |date=2005-07-04 |access-date=2008-06-13 }}</ref>

<ref name="Nexon">{{cite journal |title=Neopets to Sell Premium Items |last=Olson |first=Ryan |date=2007-06-20 |journal=[[Red Herring (magazine)|Red Herring]] |publisher=Paradigm Communications}}</ref>

<ref name="Nick Kids">{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=AUSASCPR.story&STORY=/www/story/06-17-2008/0004834105&EDATE=TUE+Jun+17+2008,+01:33+PM|title=Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group Forms New Games and Virtual Worlds Divisions |publisher=[[Newswire]] |date=2008-06-17 |access-date = 2009-02-23}}</ref>

<ref name="ID theft">{{cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/popular-childrens-web-site-under-attack-by-identity-thieves |title=Popular Children's Web Site Under Attack by Identity Thieves |date=8 July 2009 |first=Meg |last=Shannon |publisher=[[Fox News]] |access-date=8 July 2009 |archive-date=11 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711105952/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,530684,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NT400">{{cite web |url=http://www.neopets.com/ntimes/index.phtml?section=editorial&issue=400 |title=Neopian Times Issue 400 – Editorial |date=10 July 2009 | publisher=Neopets |access-date=10 July 2009}}</ref>

<ref name="Fonda">{{cite magazine |first=Fonda |last=Daren |title=Pitching It To Kids |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,994512-1,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216121348/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,994512-1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 December 2008 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time.com]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |date=2004-06-28 |access-date=2008-03-26 }}</ref>

<ref name="Wingfield">{{cite news|first=Nick |last=Wingfield |title=Web's Addictive Neopets Are Ready for Big Career Leap |url=http://www.commercialalert.org/news/featured-in/2005/02/webs-addictive-neopets-are-ready-for-big-career-leap |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=2005-02-22 |access-date=2007-09-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927234219/https://www.commercialalert.org/news/featured-in/2005/02/webs-addictive-neopets-are-ready-for-big-career-leap |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="Pace">{{cite news |first=Gina |last=Pace |title=Kids And Neopets: Who's Getting Fed? |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kids-and-neopets-whos-getting-fed/ |publisher=[[CBS|CBS Broadcasting Inc.]] |date=2006-02-09 |access-date=2008-06-09 |archive-date=26 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026001607/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/07/national/main1293944.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Fehrenbacher">{{cite web|url=http://www.redherring.com/Home/12995 |title=Q&A: Doug Dohring |access-date=2008-06-13 |last=Fehrenbacher |first=Karen |date=2005-07-31 |work=Redherring.com |publisher=RedHerring |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619102103/https://www.redherring.com/Home/12995 |archive-date=19 June 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="Headon">{{cite news |first=Martin |last=Headon |title= Pet Hates|url=https://www.theguardian.com/computergames/story/0,11500,822595,00.html |work=[[Guardian Unlimited]] |date=2002-10-31 |access-date=2007-09-03 | ___location=London}}</ref>

<ref name="Boese">{{cite news |author=Boese, Christine |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/01/06/hln.hot.buzz.neopets/index.html |title=NeoPets invade the Internet world |date=2003-01-06 |access-date=2008-11-24 |work=CNN |archive-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216133224/http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/01/06/hln.hot.buzz.neopets/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NextGen">{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/analysis-here-come-girls |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115123113/http://www.edge-online.com/features/analysis-here-come-girls/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-15 |title=ANALYSIS: Here Come the Girls |access-date=2008-06-17 |date=2008-05-19 |work=[[Next-Gen.biz]] |publisher=[[Future US|Future Network USA]] }}</ref>

<ref name="Ha">{{cite news |last=Ha |first=K. Oanh |title=Neopets site for children stirs controversy. |newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=2004-09-14 |url=http://staugustine.com/stories/100204/bus_2612682.shtml |access-date=2008-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525082907/http://www.staugustine.com/stories/100204/bus_2612682.shtml |archive-date=25 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Eckstein">{{cite news |first=Sandra| last=Eckstein | url=http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/173035_interactivetoys.html |title=The next generation of toys play with interactivity |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=2004-05-13 |access-date = 2006-08-04}}</ref>

<ref name="Gamespot">[http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/neopets/media.html Gamespot interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930161534/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/neopets/media.html |date=30 September 2007 }}, see "Neopets: The Darkest Faerie Developer Interview 1" video</ref>

<ref name="dmwmedia">{{cite web|url=http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2005/06/17/mtv-acquires-virtual-pet-youth-online-community-neopets |title=MTV Acquires "Virtual Pet" Youth Online Community NeoPets |access-date=2007-09-10 |last=Hefflinger |first=Mark |date=2005-06-17 |publisher=Digital Media Wire, Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607024425/https://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2005/06/17/mtv-acquires-virtual-pet-youth-online-community-neopets |archive-date=7 June 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="Gaudiosi">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/mtvn-nexon-team-grow-neopets-142726/ |title=MTVN, Nexon team to grow Neopets site |last=Gaudiosi |first=John |date=2006-11-10 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117210426/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/business/news/e3ia52li9aIs4NtvdkBDAfRNQ%3D%3D |archive-date=17 November 2006|access-date=16 February 2022 }}</ref>

<ref name="mediaweek">{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003637077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913084343/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003637077 |archive-date=2007-09-13 |title=Buyers See Some Order in MTVN's Varied Web Plays |access-date=2008-06-12 |last=Shields |first=Mike |date=2007-09-10 |work=[[MediaWeek|Mediaweek.com]] |publisher=[[Nielsen Company|Nielsen Business Media]]}}</ref>

<ref name="IndianTVfeb176">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/feb/feb176.php |title=Nickelodeon, Viacom to launch slew of products based on Neopets |access-date=2008-06-12 |author=Indiantelevision.com Team |date=2008-02-04 |work=Indiantelevision.com's Kidology |publisher=Indian Television Dot Com Pvt Ltd |archive-date=19 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619022643/http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k8/feb/feb176.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="prnewswire">{{cite press release |title=Neopets(R), the Leading Virtual World for Neonates, Showcases New Collectible Plush Toys, Fun Paks and Trading Cards at Toy Fair 2008 |publisher=Nickelodeon |date=2008-02-14 |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-14-2008/0004756436&EDATE= |access-date=2008-06-12 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906150141/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neopetsr-the-leading-virtual-world-for-tweens-showcases-new-collectible-plush-toys-fun-paks-and-trading-cards-at-toy-fair-2008-56940057.html |archive-date=2012-09-06}}</ref>

<ref name="toymania">{{cite news |title=NeoPets Trading Card Game |url=http://www.toymania.com/news/messages/3011.shtml |publisher=Raving Toy Maniac |date=2003-02-04 |access-date=2008-06-18 |archive-date=7 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207025335/http://www.toymania.com/news/messages/3011.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Viacom license">{{cite press release |title=Viacom Consumer Products To License One of the Web's Hottest Properties, NeoPets.com; Interactive & Publishing Will Be Key Categories for Popular Youth Website. |date=2001-11-13 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Viacom+Consumer+Products+To+License+One+of+the+Web%27s+Hottest...-a080020861 |access-date=2013-04-16}}</ref>

<ref name="General Mills">{{cite web|url=http://www.playthings.com/article/CA401171.html |title=Wizards' Neopets in cereal deal |access-date=2008-06-22 |date=2004-03-04 |work=[[Playthings (magazine)|Playthings]] |publisher=[[Reed Business Information]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207151950/https://www.playthings.com/article/CA401171.html |archive-date=7 December 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="mall">{{cite news |title=Neopets 10-City Mall Tour Brings Online World and Popular Trading Card Game to Life across the Country. |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-21800051_ITM |work=Business Wire |date=2004-06-29 |access-date=2008-06-22 |archive-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216121820/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-21800051_ITM |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="TCG awards">{{cite press release |title=Neopets Trading Card Game: Excitement Continues with All-New Card Set |publisher=Business Wire |date=2004-01-19 |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040119005227/en/Neopets-Trading-Card-Game-Excitement-Continues-All-New |access-date=2013-04-16 |quote=''Toy Wishes'' magazine recognized the Neopets TCG as a "Holiday All-Star," and the game received "Toy of the Year" nominations from the Toy Industry Association and Kidzworld.com. In addition, the Neopets TCG was selected as an "Editor's Pick" by ''[[Playthings (magazine)|Playthings]]'' magazine. }}</ref>

<ref name="McClintock">{{cite news |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |title=WB taps NeoPets pic scribe |url=https://variety.com/2006/digital/markets-festivals/wb-taps-neopets-pic-scribe-1117937505/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2006-02-06 |access-date=2008-06-18 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121232313/https://variety.com/2006/digital/markets-festivals/wb-taps-neopets-pic-scribe-1117937505/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Ito">{{cite web |url=http://www.itofisher.com/mito/itohorst.neopets.pdf |title=Neopoints, and Neo Economies: Emergent Regimes of Value in Kids Peer-to-Peer Networks |access-date=2007-09-10 |last=Ito |first=Mimi |author2=Heather Horst |author-link=Mizuko Ito |date=2006-11-16 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203038/http://www.itofisher.com/mito/itohorst.neopets.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Thinkway">{{cite press release |title=Thinkway Toys and NeoPets, Inc. Announce Licensing Agreement. |date=2002-07-17 |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thinkway-toys-and-neopets-inc-announce-licensing-agreement-76253552.html |access-date=2013-04-16}}</ref>

<ref name="About.com">{{cite web |url=http://familyinternet.about.com/od/websites/gr/neopetsreview.htm |title=Neopets Website Review |last=Matte |first=Christy |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=2013-04-24 |archive-date=14 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414072406/http://familyinternet.about.com/od/websites/gr/neopetsreview.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="MMO Hut">{{cite web |url=http://mmohuts.com/browser-games/neopets?postTabs=1 |title=Neopets Full Review |last=Altay |first=Omer |date=25 October 2010 |publisher=MMOHut.com |access-date=2013-04-24 |archive-date=14 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314222347/http://mmohuts.com/browser-games/neopets?postTabs=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="commonsensemedia">{{cite web |url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/neopets |title=Neopets - Website Review |publisher=[[Common Sense Media]] |access-date=2013-04-24 |archive-date=6 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706032718/http://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/neopets |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="González">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_128/2729-Virtual-Item-Sales |title=Virtual Item Sales |last=González |first=Christina |magazine=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |access-date=2013-04-24}}</ref>

<ref name="Altador Cup">{{cite press release |title=25 Million Neopets(R) Members Around the World Ready to Vie for International Glory in First Annual Altador Cup(TM) Virtual 'Sports' Event. |date=2006-06-07 |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/25-million-neopetsr-members-around-the-world-ready-to-vie-for-international-glory-in-first-annual-altador-cuptm-virtual-sports-event-55984572.html |access-date=2008-06-24 }}</ref>

<ref name="Minishow">{{cite press release |title=Neopets Is Coming To Nickelodeon |date=2007-05-31 |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neopets-is-coming-to-nickelodeon-58716682.html |access-date=2008-06-24 }}</ref>

<ref name="Cox">{{Cite news|last=Cox|first=Joseph|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/neopets-hack-another-day-another-hack-tens-of-millions-of-neopets-accounts/|title=Another Day, Another Hack: Tens of Millions of Neopets Accounts|date=6 May 2016|work=Vice|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=16 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216063516/https://www.vice.com/en/article/ezpvw7/neopets-hack-another-day-another-hack-tens-of-millions-of-neopets-accounts|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Shively">{{cite web |url=https://www.mmogames.com/gamenews/100000-neopets-accounts-hacked/ |title=100,000 Neopets Accounts Hacked |last=Shively |first=Nick |date=2016-05-19 |website=MMOGames.com |access-date=2021-04-17 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417214606/https://www.mmogames.com/gamenews/100000-neopets-accounts-hacked/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="In order to be transparent">{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/Neopets/posts/in-order-to-be-transparent-with-our-players-and-fans-we-want-to-inform-you-of-re/10153966777621005/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/348470121004/10153966777621005 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Neopets |author=Neopets |date=2016-05-12 |website=Facebook|access-date=2021-04-17}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

<ref name="Perez">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/your-old-neopets-may-still-be-alive-and-very-hungry-1842243197 |title=Your Old Neopets May Still Be Alive, And Very Hungry |last=Perez |first=Nicolas |date=2020-03-10 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media Inc. |access-date=2021-04-17 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417220701/https://kotaku.com/your-old-neopets-may-still-be-alive-and-very-hungry-1842243197 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Kiberd">{{Cite news |last=Kiberd |first=Roisin |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/trouble-in-neopia-15-years-later-neopets-lives-on/ |title=Trouble in Neopia? 15 Years Later, Neopets Lives On |date=2015-03-24 |work=Motherboard |access-date=17 April 2021 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417224519/https://www.vice.com/en/article/xywmjw/trouble-in-neopia-15-years-later-neopets-lives-on |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Yeo">{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/01/neopets-is-rotting-away/ |title=Neopets Is Rotting Away |last=Yeo |first=Amanda |date=2017-01-16 |website=[[Kotaku Australia]] |publisher=Pedestrian Group |access-date=2021-04-17 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418001221/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2017/01/neopets-is-rotting-away/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Liao">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/tech/neopets-maplestory-atari/index.html |title=Where nostalgic games like Neopets and MapleStory are now |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=2020-06-20 |website=CNN |access-date=2021-04-17 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418001314/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/tech/neopets-maplestory-atari/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Coy">{{cite web |url=https://kernelmag.dailydot.com/issue-sections/features-issue-sections/13799/neopets-rise-and-fall/ |title=The meteoric rise and slow decline of Neopets |last=Coy |first=Olivia |date=2015-07-26 |website=The Kernel |publisher=The Daily Dot |access-date=2021-04-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150730225745/http://kernelmag.dailydot.com/issue-sections/features-issue-sections/13799/neopets-rise-and-fall/ |archive-date=2015-07-30}}</ref>

<ref name="Bellman">{{cite web |url=https://theoutline.com/post/4190/neopets-was-run-by-scientologists?zd=5&zi=7tezqa33 |title=Neopets was run by Scientologists |last=Bellman |first=Sarah |date=2018-04-18 |website=theoutline.com |publisher=The Outline |access-date=2021-04-17 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418021615/https://theoutline.com/post/4190/neopets-was-run-by-scientologists?zd=5&zi=7tezqa33 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Trahan">{{cite magazine |last=Trahan |first=Mary |date=August 2020 |title=Net Profits |url= |magazine=[[Los Angeles (magazine)|Los Angeles]] |publisher=[[Emmis Communications|Emmis Publishing]] |pages=74, 76, 78, 80, 82}}</ref>

<ref name="Klotz">{{cite news |last=Klotz |first=Hattie |date=2000-02-07 |title=Look out Pokémon: Neopets are taking over |url=http://info.neopets.com/presskit/articles/archive/ottawa.html |url-status=dead |work=[[Ottawa Citizen]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20061117080401/http://info.neopets.com/presskit/articles/archive/ottawa.html |archive-date=2006-11-17 |access-date=2021-04-17}}</ref>

<ref name="NT52">{{cite web |url=http://www.neopets.com/newnt/index.phtml?section=editorial&week=52 |title=The Neopian Times, Issue 52, Editorial |access-date = 2021-04-17}}</ref>

<ref name="FavisLiao">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/04/08/flash-habbo-newgrounds-2020/ |title=Flash is dead. These games from the early 2000s hope to live on. |last1=Favis |first1=Elise |last2=Liao |first2=Shannon |date=2021-04-08 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=2021-04-18 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415052332/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/04/08/flash-habbo-newgrounds-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

}}

==External links==

*[[List of Neopets]]

*{{Official website|www.neopets.com}}

{{neopets}}

==Fansites and fanpages==

{{ViacomCBS}}

*[http://www.neopets.com Official Neopets Homepage]

*[http://neoland.ninomiya.org Guide to Making Neopoints]

*[http://www.pinkpt.com Pink Poogle Toy]

*[http://www.nothingbutneopets.com Nothing But Neopets]

*[http://www.soup-faerie.com SoupFaerie.com]

*[http://www.neononsense.com NeoNonsense]

[[Category:Websites]][[Category:Neopets| ]]

[[Category:1999 establishments in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:1999 video games]]

[[Category:Fictional animals]]

[[Category:Internet properties established in 1999]]

[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1999]]

[[Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games]]

[[Category:Nickelodeon]]

[[Category:Virtual pet video games]]

[[Category:Browser games]]

[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:Virtual economies]]

[[Category:Virtual pets]]

[[Category:Monster-taming games]]

[[Category:2001 mergers and acquisitions]]

[[Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions]]

[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]

[[Category:2023 mergers and acquisitions]]