Born, a Berlin-based AI gaming startup, has raised $15 million to develop social AI companions that foster real-world connections and combat loneliness, with products like a virtual pet app called Pengu and new AI social products for young people, emphasizing shared experiences and emotional intelligence.
In the popular game Palworld, a player punished their virtual pet, Cattiva, for slacking off by burning it alive, sparking concern and horror among viewers. The game, known for its dark concept of capturing and using virtual pets for labor, has raised concerns about player abuse of the virtual creatures. While some players treat their virtual pets well, others have demonstrated disturbing behavior, highlighting the darker side of the game's entertainment value.
Neopets, the virtual pet website that gained popularity in the early years of the internet, is under new management and planning a comeback. The CEO of World of Neopia, the team that bought Neopets for $4 million, aims to restore and modernize the game's features, including the discontinued minigames. While acknowledging the challenges of competing in today's gaming landscape, the CEO believes Neopets' unique selling point is its nostalgic appeal and the ability to offer a different way of playing games. The team is on a "reactivation campaign" to win back players and plans to license intellectual property for merchandise and develop new games. Additionally, a 3D simulator game called World of Neopets is set to launch in 2024, while the original Neopets website will continue to be available for long-term play.
Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon GO, has released its latest AR-based game, Peridot, which allows players to raise virtual pets and watch them interact with the real world through AR technology. The game features mini-games, daily walks, and the ability to hatch new generations of 100% genetically unique pets. Peridot is available for download on all app stores.
Niantic's new augmented reality game, Peridot, is now available for download on the App Store. The Tamagotchi-style game allows users to raise virtual pets called Dots, which can be taken for walks in the real world to collect items and discover new places. The game syncs with the Health app to allow players to earn walking distance even when the app is closed. Peridot features a breeding mechanic that can unlock new Peridot archetypes, and raising a Peridot into an adult and leveling up unlocks new character traits that can be used for future pets.