Neopets is an online virtual pet game. First launched in 1999, it combined simple Flash animations, minigames, player forums, and customisable pets to create a deeply social and immersive online world.
Neopets was built around text, images and Flash animations. Its simple technical structure meant that it was accessible to people on slow internet connections. By 2011, the site had 1 trillion page views.
By allowing its players to shape the world of ‘Neopia’, Neopets attracted millions of players, who connected through its forums, the Neoboards, and digital clubs called Guilds. And by allowing players to customise their profiles, Neopets taught a generation of millennials how to code.
Decades after its launch, Neopia has survived technical upheaval, including the death of Flash technology, and multiple changes in ownership and direction. Its dedicated fanbase still enjoy new plots, new lands and new pets.
Curator Notes
In the early 2000s, Neopets (1999) turned browsing the internet into a daily ritual. Players raised magical creatures, played mini-games, traded items and explored a patchwork world full of jokes, lore and inside references. More than just a website, it was a sprawling digital playground that mixed fantasy, fandom and early social networking, all built around playful, persistent world-building that continues today.
Meridell vs Darigan
The lands of Neopia each have their own identity, and the map has evolved over time, shaped by players’ activities.
Neopets created an immersive virtual world through text, images and simple Flash animations, where players could shape the story. Sitewide “plots” unfold over months through comics and new activities to engage the entire community.
One key storyline, the 2003 Champions of Meridell plot, introduced two new lands: the woodland realm of Meridell and the gothic Darigan Citadel. Players chose sides, supporting their faction through fierce Battledome battles and dedicated Neoboards. Their collective efforts were tracked throughout the conflict.
When the plot ended, Darigan’s victory became an official part of Neopets lore – showing how players directly shape the history and identity of this evolving virtual world.
Offline and on the shelves
In the Battle for Meridell, Darigan and Meridell teamed up to fight the evil Lord Kass. The story went beyond the web with trading cards, magazines, and a handheld game. Players built decks, learned battle strategies, and carried Meridell in their pockets. When the plot ended, Neopia changed again – visitors to Meridell can now play Whack-A-Kass, a fun nod to the defeated villain.
The History of Neopets via Mental Floss' YouTube Channel.
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