Nov/090
Virtualpetlist interviews Claws, owner of Icepets.com
Please introduce yourself: My name is Joseph Roethig, but most know me as Claws.
1: What is IcePets? What makes it fun?
IcePets is a virtual pet site, what more can I say?
2: How old is Icepets? How long has it been in development?
IcePets has been in development since February 28th, 2009.
3: How do you feel about your competitors, Neopets, Subeta and Marapets?
Now knowing what it takes to development a virtual pet site, even just the most basic of features, I have great respect for their work despite my disappointment in some of their decisions.
4: What has been the vision of Icepets?
Well here’s a quote from myself, that is stickied in temp forums: “To release a pet site so simple that even someone who has never heard of pet sites before would be able to get going with the same ease as everyone else, with many challenges ahead.”
5: What should we expect from IcePets in the upcoming months?
In the coming months you’ll see a new homepage, referral system, hidden avatars, trophies, redesigned spin wheels, two more flash games, and overall a cleaner and more organized IcePets.
6: Who are your staff members? Any developers?
Michael and I are the owners of IcePets. Michael handles the finances, marketing, and most everything on the business side of things. I manage the development of all aspects of IcePets. PokerPhoenix is the programmer. Romance is the pet artist. The three item artists are Chryztal, Xanatha, and Steve. Chryztal is also the flash game artist. Lolly is a graphic artist, for banners and avatars. Tyme does all the NPC art. Sattainon, Gimjee, and Willow are the IcePets writers. Not only do writers write item descriptions and little things around the site, they also write a short story for each book that players can read after reading it to their pet. I think that’s everyone, sorry if I missed anyone!
7: Who designs IcePets pages? Who’s the mastermind?
Karl is the mastermind for all the dynamic coding here on IcePets, while I come down with the specifications on how features should work and decide any changes along the way.
8: What would you like to say to an upcoming pet game owner?
There’s a good chance you’ll lose your sanity….unless you have great patience and exceptional organization skills.
9: Do you think you’ll ever leave IcePets?
Haha, no. IcePets is my baby. I love it too much.
10: How long do you believe IcePets will last?
How long do you think the internet will last?
11: What IcePet is your favorite?
The Sharshel is by far my favorite of the currently released pets. Here’s a pic: 
12: What is one thing you like about the virtual pets market?
I know it like the back of my hand, and I know the back of my hand pretty darn well.