How old were you when you started playing virtual pet sites?

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How Old Were You When You Started Playing Virtual Pet Sites?


Virtual pet sites have been a beloved part of the internet since the late 90s. They really exploded in popularity during the early 2000s, drawing millions of players to raise, adopt, and care for their digital companions. But with so many platforms emerging over the years, the question remains: How old were you when you first started playing virtual pet sites?

The Rise of Virtual Pet Sites
If you were a part of the early virtual pet scene, you likely remember the excitement of adopting your first digital pet, whether it was a Neopet, a Tamagotchi, or a Petz character. These games offered something different from traditional video games—an interactive experience where players could nurture and care for their virtual companions.


The appeal of virtual pet sites was immediate: they combined aspects of simulation games, community building, and creativity, making them addictive for a wide range of ages. Many people got hooked as children, while others discovered the fun as adults. The variety of virtual pets and the ability to breed, train, and customize them made these sites uniquely engaging.


How Old Were You When You Started?

For many of us, virtual pet sites were a gateway to the online world. If you started playing in the early 2000’s, you might have been in your early teens or even younger, captivated by the colorful, pixelated animals and the endless possibilities they presented. If you discovered virtual pets later, you could have been in your late teens or even adulthood, exploring a new kind of nostalgia-driven entertainment.


Neopets, for example, launched in 1999, and millions of players were introduced to it as kids or young teens, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Whether you were playing Neopets, Moshi Monsters, or the now-legendary Digimon World, virtual pets were an essential part of your internet experience.


So, how old were you when you joined the ranks of virtual pet enthusiasts? Were you a young child, or did you discover virtual pet sites as an adult looking for a nostalgic pastime?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your virtual pet journey in the comments—how old were you when you first discovered virtual pet sites? What game was your first, and what made you stick with it?
 
2004 I imagine I started (due to Neopets), so I would have been around.. 9? 10? I remember going to the library with my dad to fax my parental consent form for the forums. 😂
 
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2004 I imagine I started (due to Neopets), so I would have been around.. 9? 10? I remember going to the library with my dad to fax my parental consent form for the forums. 😂
That’s when I actually started playing too. I played neopets first, then I started playing powerpets. I was 14 at the time. How long did you end up playing neopets for? What game did you start playing after neo?
 
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That's a good question actually. I'm pretty sure I played a few years but I don't know specifically when I ended. Sometime in middle school I suppose, but I used to be pretty active then. Got the lab ray and suck and paintbrushes and various bits and bobs.

After neo I've tried so many things. The main one I fell in love with was Wajas for about two years. I've probably tried most that have been advertised except Flight Rising (although I have an account from several years ago). I remember Powerpets! I think I've played a few that have existed and since shutdown as well. I could probably look through my emails and find out..

What's your poison these days?
 
I started playing virtual pet sites around 2013 so I was 13-14 years old. I first got into neopets and then eventually started discovering other ones as I ended up searching for other ones as neopets began to die down. Now I am 21 years old and still enjoy playing virtual pet site games, mainly because of the pretty art I can admire and rarely the gameplay itself. Before virtual pet sites I played a lot of WOW (with my dad of course since I was even younger) and barbie games admittedly. 🤣
 
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I started playing virtual pet sites when I was about 54. I was working in a middle school special ed classroom and one of the students told me about Neopets about 1994 0r 1995 and I checked it out. I registered but when it came to giving my birthdate, I left it blank and at that time no one said a thing. Years later, about 2005, Neopets redid their site blocking content for those under 12. They blocked me from all adult activities then, and there was no response to my explanation. I lost interest and found Marapets and have been playing it since.
 
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I started playing virtual pet sites around 2013 so I was 13-14 years old. I first got into neopets and then eventually started discovering other ones as I ended up searching for other ones as neopets began to die down. Now I am 21 years old and still enjoy playing virtual pet site games, mainly because of the pretty art I can admire and rarely the gameplay itself. Before virtual pet sites I played a lot of WOW (with my dad of course since I was even younger) and barbie games admittedly. 🤣
I played a lot of rpg games prior to playing pet games. Hobowars, diablo, gunbound and Foxwar were the games that I played before pet sites. I never played wow though.
 
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If I remembered correctly, I should be 15 years when I started playing pet site games. It was around 2000's I began playing and I've not stopped playing since then. Although, I've been discouraged a few times with some pet sites games shutting down.
 
I played a lot of rpg games prior to playing pet games. Hobowars, diablo, gunbound and Foxwar were the games that I played before pet sites. I never played wow though.
I also love playing RPG games. Some of my favorite one's are ; The Witcher 3 : Wild Hunt, Mass Effect 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Assassin's Creed Odyssey.
 
I started playing virtual pet sites when I was around 18 years old, back in 2005. I stumbled upon Neopets and was immediately hooke by the features I found in it.
I think 2005 was a great time to start. I was a bit younger, around 14, when I discovered Marapets in 2007. I was actually drawn to the customization options and the sense of community.