A closer look into Webkinz
Now let’s take a closer look into how the average user interacts with Webkinz. Watch the following video to see one user’s journey from purchasing a Webkinz to adopting it then playing with it for the first time.
First off, we are introduced to the user’s special edition Webkinz. The fact that they animals are “special edition” suggest that they are one of kind and better than other. The more special editions that the Webkinz designer produces a sensation for the users and encourages them buy more.
The user goes on to make sure that we know that these Webkinz are official, which in my opinions suggests that the user believes owning Webkinz is “cool” and that we would “judge” her if they didn’t have the Webkinz seal of approval (the “W” and name tag).
Then we are taken to the actual computer screen to watch the adoption process. You will notice the design of the website and its colorful, playful interface. The clickable hand affords clicking on certain devices and shading is used to help the user know a device if clickable. The screen looks much like Microsoft’s Bob, but it appears that the user has no trouble deciphering how to use the site.
I find if odd that this video was posted to YouTube. A new media used in collaboration with another new media. We were watching a video, posted to the internet, of the user actually playing the game. It troubles me that the user posted this thinking that others would want to watch this. What makes her think that others would care? Does Webkinz create a voyeuristic nature having the user watch and oversee the everyday lives of his or her virtual pets and thus feels the need that others should watch her interact as well? The video has received only 3,000 hits, but still who would want to watch this? Obviously, I cared enough to watch the entire video (high five if you actually made it through the entire thing), but I still don’t get to obsession.
So, what’s new about this New Media?
And the biggest question, I believe, is what’s new about Webkinz? With it’s creation in 2005, Webkinz has created a new “play time” for children. It has amputated the way children play with toys and one another. Now, they simply log online, enter their “secret code” (the only real value of the plush animal) and get lost in the Webkinz virtual world.
They interact with other users in the chat room but are only able to ask pre-written questions. How they interact is controlled by the designer. No longer do children create kingdoms for their stuffed animals and build forts to house them in. Instead, there’s the internet and building another life of their own on the computer. Instead of holding the stuffed animals, they control them with the click of a mouse. Not nearly as personal an interaction as I remember. The interaction becomes one with the computer and a connection with the internet, not the animal. God forbid the internet went out, how would the children play!?!
I’m worried that Webkinz has changed the way my sister interacts. I suppose it’s great that they are becoming more familiar with the internet at a younger age, but I worry that this will desensitize them from real life. Do they get so lost in this virtual world that they will forgot how to interact face to face? It will be interesting to analyze their people skills as I watch them grow up. Will they refer to stock questions when they meet people (as in the Webkinz chat room you can only click on pre-written questions when interacting with another user)? Time will only tell how this new media will affect our youth.
So, what’s rhetorical about Webkinz?
Krusty the Clown sure doesn't know!
But really, why do I even care about Webkinz and this virtual world? My sister even said that she was addicted to it; she said she liked it’s addictive nature. However, I’m not quite sure she gets the nature of addiction, but that’s a whole other story.
So, Webkinz. Why was this website created first of all? And why do kids keep coming back?
Well, I’m not really sure why it was created except other than a ploy to make money off of children (easy targets, I know). Wikipedia lent me nothing as to it’s creation, so I can only look at how it has evolved and become the website that it is today. I’m fascinated that my sister knows she is addicted, and yet she does nothing about it (except for keep playing, of course). There are several ways that Webkinz has developed to keep their users coming back. Let’s take a look:
- The creation of Lil’Kinz: Just in case the user buys every Webkinz available there is a smaller version of even more characters.
- The expiration of Webkinz: Yes, every animal expires after a year of activation, so if the user wants to keep playing, he or she must purchase a new animal, type in the “secret code” and go through another adoption process. Animals can also die if left unattended after two months (according to McKala), and their “secret code” is no longer valid.
- The creation of Deluxe Membership: Yes, you, too, can be an elite Webkinz member. For an extra fee, users can become part of a special group and receive extras in the Webkinz world.
- The need to belong and succeed: Once children have entered this world, they see that others have become a part of it too and will continue to want to be a part of this virtual world. Allowing them to interact creates a “grass is greener” effect, so they will continue to build their clubhouse to be better than what other users have
Overall, Webkinz has created an alternate lifestyle for children of the digital age. Not only does the website manipulate “play time” but it continues to lure children in with its ever-changing interface (seasonal, holidays, etc.) creating new things to do and new things to buy. Updating the website is probably the smartest thing the Webkinz developer could do next to the endless opportunities for discovery in the virtual world. Children, who often get bored easily, will enjoy seeing new things every week they log in the website. They will enjoy getting to re-decorate their clubhouse, and buy new costumes and outfits for their animals. At least my sister does. She is constantly checking back to the website not only to take care of her pet but to see what all is new in the Webkinz world.
I am interested to see how long Webkinz will keep her interested as it has been three years already and standing strong. I know my obsession with Neopets barely lasted a year, as I was constantly annoyed that I could never turn it off. Maybe the fact that children do have a choice, they can walk away with the click of the mouse, that makes Webkinz so successful. With Neopets, the digital pet could go every where that I went attached to a keychain. With Webkinz, you must be physically seated at a computer to engage with your pet. So, even though my sister is “addicted” to Webkinz, she still has control by being able to log in and log out of the virtual world.
Interview with a 9-year-old
So, after taking a stab at what I think the world of Webkinz means, I decided that it would be most beneficial to interview my sister, the user herself.
Why do you play Webkinz?
Well, because it’s fun. I get to do all sorts of things with my stuffed animals on the internet. I can’t do this same thing with my Beanie Babies, you know like the ones you had. I can do lots with my Webkinz.
Do you play more with your Webkinz online or with the stuffed animal?
Um, I like to play more on the internet, but I do still play with them. I can just do more on the internet.
How do you keep your Webkinz alive?
I play games. There’s a lot of fun things you can do to earn Kinzcash. That’s how I buy things to give my Webkinz. I like to buy a lot of furniture and decorate my clubhouse. That’s where I keep all my Webkinz.
What happens if you don’t play games all the time to win Kinzcash?
Oh they die. Yeah, if you don’t play for like 6 months they die. And if you don’t play for like 2 months, they starve. It’s bad when they starve then because you can’t use your password anymore. Then you have to get a new Webkinz to play with.
Are there any other ways to get Kinzcash?
No. I really wish I could make a lemonade stand and sell lemonade and make my money. That’d be pretty cool.
Can you give your Kinzcash away?
No. But you can make gift packages for your friends if you want. Like you can buy things for your friends and send it to them. You can also write them letters and be pen pals if you want. It’s pretty cool. Me and Maddy give each other presents all the time. Oh yeah, you can swap things, too. Like if I wanted a new couch but didn’t have any money, I could just trade something with somebody else.
Do you use the chat room? And what do you talk about?
Yeah! I love the chat room. I like to connect with other people. We just talk about what we like and what we do. We just talk about each other, not really our Webkinz.
Do you like the design of the website and the colors it uses?
Yeah. The colors are really cool. I like how colorful it is. I don’t really like the stadium. It’s not really fun when I’m the winner and it won’t let me post my scores. But everything else I like.
So, I’ve concluded that the thoughts I originally had about Webkinz were similar to McKala’s, but she also made some valid points. I was shocked to her answer about wanting to earn/make her own money. Actually, I was impressed that she had thought about that. I’ve got a future entrepreneur on my hands here!
