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August 2006

Ganz Webkinz article from:


By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer

“Just like a pet” -
Webkinz owners care for ‘virtual’ stuffed animals

All the cuddliness of a pet animal, but without the mess.

All the responsibility of a Furby doll, but without the barely disguised sociopathic tendencies.

This is Webkinz, the latest “virtual” pet phenomenon that combines the flexibility of Internet-based technology with the efficiency of good old fashioned stuffed animals.

“They are so addicting”

There’s not much about the Webkinz dolls themselves that sets them apart from countless other stuffed animals like Beanie Babies. The uniqueness is in the code printed on the doll’s label, a code that allows you to log on to www.webkinz.com and begin the care of your doll’s on-line counterpart.

Or, in Webkinz marketing speak, the dolls “are lovable plush pets that each come with a unique Secret Code that lets you enter Webkinz and play with a virtual version of your pet,” according to the Webkinz Web site.

Along with the usual tasks associated with artificially intelligent pets — feeding, grooming, cuddling, etc. — pet owners can do an array of on-line activities with their animals, from playing arcade-like video games to customizing the pets’ wardrobe and habitat (purchased with virtual money earned by succeeding in the various games).

The Webkinz website also features chat rooms for pet owners, although officials claim the on-line environment is safe. “Nothing inappropriate can be said, and there is no way to exchange personal information,” according to Webkinz.

Welch, mother of a 9-year-old, initially adopted a Webkinz Lion stuffed animal plush just to try it out. Now her family owns three.

“You have to feed it, clothe it, do everything for it,” she said. “It’s just like a pet you have to take care of.”

A former preschool and kindergarten teacher, Welch said she wishes Webkinz was around when she was still in the classroom. “There’s a ton of things a teacher could do,” she said.

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