Virtual Pet Games - the reason for their popularity

When you feed this pet, you are merely feeding a bunch of pixels, not a living breathing pet. But the pets adopted on this virtual pet game are very important to their owners. They adopt them, care for them, feed them, buy them toys, play with them, travel with them, get them pet pets - in essence, they nurture their virtual pets. If the pets are not fed, they don't die, they linger on, weak and hungry, pointing to the callousness of the owner.

The rise

One of the earliest digital pet games was Dogz. This was followed by, hold your breath, Catz, Horsez and even a Hamsterz all under the Petz brand. All this happened in the 90s. This was followed by Tamagotchi. These were a huge hit in Japan, but could not sustain their popularity in the US as schools banned them for their need for constant attention.

Jump, People. Stay, Dog. by Gordon

Why were they so popular

Well, they are definitely easier than getting a real pet. Approvals and resources required are fewer, especially if you are a kid! These pets occupy no space and when you need to go away, they need not be physically looked after. Apart from all this, you can nurture them, name them, complain about them among peers, dress them up, play with them, and buy them toys.

A whole world

Interestingly some of these pets occupy a whole virtual world, like Neopets which occupy Neopia. Players on these worlds, have currency they can use to buy their pets food, clothes and toys.

The worry

As these technologically advanced pets become companions to humans, especially kids, the psychological effects of this worry many. People can have programmable affection without really investing time or effort. Interaction with an actual physical creature is always superior to simulated interaction. The worry for many is that people might replace the real with the artificial, because they can invest less of themselves.

The good

Though virtual pets might seem a departure from the reality of the world and some might even call it escapism, it has its pluses. Kids who cannot have pets in the real world, can have one here. People with physical disabilities, can manage these pets far more easily, than the real ones. Short of space, no problem, adopt a virtual pet. In fact many animal lovers feel having a virtual pet, gives people and kids a window into the world of having a real pet. Like a dry run, without the pain of a real animal involved. Compassionate for the a real pet and happiness for the real human.

A few pixels can do a lot of good!