Free Downloadable Virtual Pets
From LoveToKnow Online
Owning a pet is difficult, so programmers have created free downloadable virtual pets to fulfill the need for a pet without the mess.
Virtual Pets and the Code Behind the Wag
Many people are curious as to what exactly a virtual pet is and isn’t. When you think about the age we live in, you almost have to wonder where to draw the line between the real and the imagined. A real dog eats, sleeps, wags his tail and likes to play with you. Many of the free downloadable virtual pets also wag their tails, like to play and need to eat. Most virtual pets act the same way as their real life counterparts to the point of even getting sick and passing away.
Luckily, these virtual pets have not become so real that users cannot tell the difference. With what scientists and engineers know about cybernetics and robotics they still have yet to create a real “fake” animal. What free downloadable virtual pets do offer is hours of fun trying to train your pet without the fear of killing it. Virtual pets can be downloaded in several forms for your enjoyment:
Web Friends: These virtual pets live strictly on your web page. You usually download a virtual pet script and embed the code directly on the page. These can be fully interactive or a simple animated GIF. Some are made from basic Flash and are interactive to a lesser degree.
Desktop: Virtual pets that can reside on your computer are more complex than your simple Flash critter or web friend. These are mini programs that reside in a directory and run in the background. Over a period of time your pet will come out of its holding cache and want to play, be fed or any other myriad of tasks. The perk with this pet is that it can break up a monotonous day with a bit of fun.
Free Downloadable Virtual Pets
If you decided that cleaning up after a dog or cat is not that enjoyable but you want a pet that you can play with as needed, then a virtual pet is the right choice. The following sites offer free pets that you can download to your computer, use on the web or just play with on their own sites.
Before venturing to these sites take a moment to think about how real you want the experience to be. There are several Internet sites that offer virtual pets that are so “real” that they can be removed from your care if you don’t take proper care of them. Then there are others that exist to just sit there – like an icon. They don’t do anything other than mark a page. In the end the decision is yours and, under most circumstances, you can just delete the pet if the responsibility becomes too much for you.
NeoPet: If you enjoy the idea of having a simple pet while communicating on message boards then NeoPet may be your primary destination. You can purchase homes and toys for your free pet and take them on adventures. The site also offers some free downloadable goodies like wallpaper and screensavers.
PowerPets: Dogs and cats are all well and good as a virtual pet, but since your pet isn’t real why keep yourself to the norm? Haven’t you always secretly wanted to have an ape as a pet? Perhaps you are more interested in an elephant, panda or camel? That is what PowerPets offers and more. You can post your own online stories about your pets as well as play games. PowerPets is completely safe for children, as the site is monitored.
There are other sites that get really down and dirty with the realism factor. One such site is FooPets where your pet’s behavior is affected by how well you treat it. The site is free unless you want to buy your pet presents. However, joining the site locks you into a virtual pet that can live up to 20 years. You can’t get rid of your pet by uninstalling it, and neglect means it will be taken to a shelter to be cared for.
Although virtual pets can blur the line between fantasy and reality, you should always keep in mind that they are just another example of the many online games available.
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This page has been accessed 736 times. This page was last modified 03:05, 30 April 2009.
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