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NeoTopia

© Laura Brown

In one hour you can play the stock market, become a tycoon, attend an auction, play endless games and adopt a creature. You may have heard of NeoPets. Basically, you adopt a web-based virtual pet and keep it maintained, entertained and well read too. There are other sites which have virtual adoptions. I don't think any have gone to the extremes of NeoPets.

Two weeks ago I began as a stranger (more or less) to the site. I had heard of it, took a look at it years ago when it was the new thing. The idea of having a clinging virtual pet turned me off. It's enough to look after your real life, I reasoned.

I'm not sure how I have been drawn into the community now. My nephew was playing a game on his computer when I visited. I helped him unscramble the words and he would get points (neopoints) for his good work. A couple of days later I wondered if the game really had been as tough as I remembered it. It was! But I persisted, until I decided only a human dictionary could manage to win at The Castle of Eliv Thade.

After that I played other games, mainly from the puzzle section. I had a lot more successes and more fun. I decided to actually join the site and keep all those points I was collecting for myself. Might as well do something with them all. Along the way I discovered all the nifty items you can trade for and stumble across in other ways. One of my prized items is a sword pencil. I like the play on words. Anyway, I now have a neopet and savings of neopoints in the NeoBank. I am trading and auctioning. Currently I've got a drugal going cheap. I have skipped the BattleDome, though my nephew says it's his favourite place.

What would you do with a virtual pet? Which one would you pick? Mine is a wocky, a red cat creature. If you are a fellow NeoAddict check out my shop/ gallery. I'm displaying Christmas items now but there are a few things for sale. I'm really looking forward to the Advent Calendar which starts December 1st, early this morning for me, but midnight Neo time.

To the rest of you... Why not have a look and see what the fuss is about. It's not just a cute kidsy site. Though they are very strict about any touch of adult content and issues. The site is kid rated, family entertainment.

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