Rediscovering Neopets as an adult, one Neopoint at a time
TODAY journalist Alfred Chua rediscovered virtual pet game Neopets, nearly 15 years after last playing it.
SINGAPORE — It started with a conversation with two colleagues about Tamagotchi — the handheld digital pet game from the 1990s — making a comeback in a mobile app form.
I had jokingly mentioned that I should recreate a Neopets account, just for laughs. I was also curious how, as an adult now, I would view this game from my childhood.
That same night, on Oct 10 last year, Siaoone1234 (yes, that is its name), my yellow Chia neopet was created.
And I rediscovered my childhood love, nearly 15 years since I last played (bless my previous Neopet, which probably starved to its unfortunate death by now).
Mention Neopets to anyone my age (I am turning 28 this year) and almost instantly, there would be a sigh of nostalgia, then a quizzical look — often involving a cocked eyebrow — and an exclamation of: “What, you still play that game?”
For those of you wondering, Neopets is a virtual pet game where you create and care for the pet of your choice.
Back in Primary 5, it was quite the rage among my peers.
I remember a group of us playing it at the school’s computer lab, and having lively discussions about what Neopet species boasted better statistics, and which mini-game on the website was the game du-jour. (My favourite then was Meerca Chase, a game not unlike Nokia’s Snake where you guide the Meerca through the field, and collect tokens, while avoiding traps. The game still exists on the site now.)
Then the dreaded Primary School Leaving Examination happened. And as I parted ways with my childhood playmates, I also left my interest in Neopets behind — until Oct 10, 2017.
Spurred by the conversation I had, I created my new account, picked a new pet, and got back into the game.
Say hello to Siaoone1234, who celebrates its first birthday really soon. Screengrab from Neopets
It was heartening to note that some of my childhood favourites were still on the site, even as new features were added.
For instance, there now exists a microsite known as the NC Mall, where, instead of paying by Neopoints, you transact through NeoCash — credits you can purchase with (real) money.
Talk about keeping up with the times.
As I navigated my way around Neopia (again), one thing — apart from crippling nostalgia — struck me.
The way I was approaching, and strategising, my moves in the game as a grown-up is quite different from my 11-year-old self.
And surprise, surprise, here I am, almost a year later, still at it.
Besides indulging the inner child that still exists in me, my foray into Neopia has taught me three lessons:
1. PRUDENCE
When I signed up for the game, I was gifted a bonus of 2,500 Neopoints as a new sign-up.
Instinctively, my adult senses kicked in, and I deposited nearly half of my bonus points into the bank. The 11-year-old me might have squandered it on food for my pet or buying frivolous items which my pet might not need.
And as I progressed in the game, I tried to find ways to earn Neopoints and grow my bank balance. This came in the form of what players call “dailies” — games or activities you can only do once a day.
Naturally, I gravitated to those that allowed me to earn Neopoints. One example is Trudy’s Surprise, a fruit machine type game that allows you to earn points by spinning it once a day.
Once I got my prize money, I would immediately put aside a large portion to “feed” the bank. It felt good seeing my balances grow.
Perhaps this quirk of needing to stash my virtual cash came from two reasons: the feeling of carrying too much Neopoints around did not sit well with me, and the worry that I might one day not have enough Neopoints to spend.
Now, if only I can be this conscientious in real life.
2. PRACTICALITY
This is where Singaporean idiosyncrasies (read: kiasuism) come in useful. My game mantra now is (largely): If it is free, and can get you some points, take it.
Those around my age will remember the Giant Omelette, a feature in the game where a slice of omelette is given out for free every day. My 11-year-old self went for the free handout only when my own food inventory was low.
Now, I visit the place almost every day. Free omelette — why not?
There is also another feature in the game which some players may remember: the Money Tree. There, other players donate items they do not want, and the rest of us can pick what we want — for free — if we are fast enough.
Most times, you see useless items such as twigs, disused shoes (where do they even come from?) and rotten foodstuff.
But you could also pick up the occasional gem — like a rare book, or even large wads of cash. I would know, because I have camped there long enough.
Call me a cheapo, but at least I got to save some money, while getting rarer items for my pet.
And when I spend money on items for my pet (usually books, because knowledge is power), I would drive a hard bargain.
Players would know that there is an option to haggle with the “shopkeeper” for the final price.
My modus operandi is to give a really low starting price, before gradually increasing it.
As a result, there have been occasions where I was “kicked out” of the shop because I took too long to bargain.
3. RESPONSIBILITY
Neopets is, in its essence, a game where you care for a pet, and that means responsibility.
Unlike my younger self where I would not even bother to feed or read to my pet daily — It’s hungry? Leave it be! — I find myself being more fastidious over its welfare as a adult.
When it is hungry, I would feed it till it becomes bloated. A book must be read to the pet at least once a day (I am proud to note that my pet has read more than 250 books so far).
I collect random toys to play with my Neopet every now and then.
And when I go on a holiday, I make it a point to house my pet into the Neopet Hotel for the same number of nights I am out of town for.
The list goes on.
Still, despite the lessons in responsibility which Neopets has taught me, I do not think I am fully confident to say it has prepared me for bigger things.
Parenthood? Not so fast, please — I’ll stick to caring for Siaoone1234 first. Which reminds me, time to feed it!
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