Was the lead engineer at NeoPets (10/2000 - 11/2002)

Focused on scaling (30m+ users), security (hackers), but also built guilds & games

After NP, had some success/exits as founder/cto (+ many lessons), 30+ 😇  investments

Love builders, helpers, and of course, Farcaster

Feel like a trip back to Neopia? 🙃

AMA

perpetual learner • curious builder • art lover | bazvault.eth | barrycollier.com | hosting /baz /givingflowers

welcome to farcaster 🤗

what common characteristics make a modern world / virtual pet game successful? 

and what have you observed to be common pitfalls?

neuroscience phd, DeSci advocate, interfaith chaplain. co-host of the /okbanger show and vibe imagineer for /christin. https://seemore.tv/christin

thank you! and great question

community and creativity were key at NP

I believe that still holds true. human nature does change (quickly)

it was important for players to be able to experiment and express creativity

also, humility was huge!

we'd make mistakes ALL THE TIME

and then we'd turn it into a whole game

re: virtual pets specifically, the capabilities have changed so much, but humans want to feel connected... whether to a person, a brand, or their digital pets

I think the ability for them to express their creativity is still key, but paradox of choice is a real pitfall to watch out for.

we were also extremely accessible to players. We even had a webcam (was right behind me) that players would have open and catch us doing stupid stuff in the office and then laugh about it and post it

I think the pitfalls are basically doing the opposite. no transparency, too rigid or uptight, no sense of belonging