Neopets launches open beta for mobile
Don’t let your pets starve.
As the iconic, turn-of-the-century pet sim Neopets turns 20 years old, they are embracing mobile as part of their future.
On Friday the company announced it would be allowing players to access the service through mobile browsers but only in a limited fashion. In a video statement, Neopets brand manager Stephanie Lord noted that it’s in the early days of development and much of the work moving forward will be based on user input.
“We are also very interested in hearing all of your feedback,” she says, “so head over to the mobile site NeoBoards to leave any comments, suggestions, or thoughts you might have.”
“While this is an open beta we’re in very early stages of development and looking forward to all of your feedback to help guide the product moving forward.”
While Neopets doesn’t come out and say it in the announcement, much of the move is likely a corresponding with the site’s move away from Flash. Many of the games, wheels, and maps the world is known for were built in Flash, but with support ending later in the year, much of the site is being converted to other programming languages, such as HTML 5 and Javascript.
Flash has never been supported on mobile so the move helps future-proof the site while expanding the ways users can play and interact.
Much of Neopets has changed since you were a kid but at its core it’s still a warm, cozy kind of world that’s free to inhabit. Now you have one less excuse for letting your pets starve.
Top image: Jumpstart.
