As most of you know, browser support for the Flash plug-in will be ending in 2020. When this happens, you will no longer be able to start up Chrome or Firefox and play Webkinz. At the end of 2017 we made a small announcement that we were developing a desktop version of our mobile application to deal with the end of browser support. That application was completed, but we weren’t very happy with it. Screens designed for small phones don’t look great when blown up on a large monitor, and more importantly, what was going to happen to great sections like the Curio Shop, Wish Factory and the Clubhouse that aren’t in our mobile version? We knew we could do better. So we dug deep, got creative, and we can now show you this…
This is the new Webkinz Desktop. This version includes everything that Webkinz has to offer – all the games, items, and features – because it IS Webkinz. Webkinz Desktop still uses Flash – do not delete the plug-in! – but doesn’t require a browser to play the game.
And Webkinz has never looked better! You’ll be able to play Webkinz full screen to see your pet’s rooms even closer. Complete challenges, enjoy all of our events, join friends in the park – it’s all there!
Webkinz Desktop is nearing completion. To ensure that we haven’t missed anything, we will be running a small private beta test in about three weeks. Once that is complete, we will release the application to everyone! Webkinz Desktop is currently for Windows only, but we do plan to make a Mac version available soon after.
We are very excited for the release of Webkinz Desktop, as it will allow us to continue to provide a great Webkinz experience for years to come.
Yes, I am curious about the Mac version – I only have a Mac computer and really want to continue to play.
You will be able to continue playing. Flash won’t stop being supported by browsers until 2020. It’s just that Webkinz Desktop will be available this year for Windows users before Mac users. Not to worry–Macs will still be able to play Webkinz via the internet, and we will (hopefully) have a desktop version for Macs before 2020. I only say “hopefully” because I have no power to make this happen–I’m just a user like you. I have no doubt that it will exist with plenty of time to spare. :)
As I understand it, not only is browser support for Flash going to end, but Adobe is also going to stop supporting it, meaning they won’t update or distribute Flash anymore. Doesn’t this mean that if you for some reason deleted Flash you couldn’t reinstall it? Or that a potential new Webkinz user who doesn’t already have Flash couldn’t get it? Also, if Adobe is not updating Flash anymore, is there any guarantee that it will be compatible with future operating system updates? I am sure all of this has been considered, and I know I don’t fully understand how Flash will be phased out, but I can’t help but be a little concerned.
Here is how Sally Webkinz explained it in a previous post. “Flash will no longer be supported by browsers such as Chrome, and will no longer be actively developed by Adobe. Flash will remain, as it does now, a powerful game engine. So we’ve created an application that allows you to play everything Webkinz has to offer by continuing to use Flash as the underlying game engine. As for connecting with your friends, all of the multiplayer functionality in Webkinz will remain as it is. You’ll still have a friends list, KinzPost, the Clubhouse with trading, the Tournament Arena, etc. Your browser doesn’t provide that connectivity, our game does.”
I would love to be a beta tester!!
I would love to Beta test. I use windows.
How long will it be before a Mac version is available? At what date will we Mac users not be able to play any longer? I am really sad about this ! ! ! ! !
As I understand it, Mac users WILL still be able to play via the internet. So long as browsers support flash, the internet can be used to play Webkinz–and browsers will support flash until 2020. It’s just that the desktop version they have ready right now will only operate on Windows. They will come out with a Mac version soon enough. (I have a Mac too, so I know how you feel.)
Oh, WOW!!! So a little disappointing we can’t open two separate accounts at the same time (very handy in quickly completing floaty events for multiple accounts), but VERY happy we’ll still have our beloved Webkinz! However, one thing using a browser did for me is let me play with an AdBlocker – So, it begs the question, will there be ads using this app and if yes, will there be a way to suppress them?
Good question!
Looks great–but we’ll be able to play using a browser until 2020? I have a Mac…when is that version expected to be available?
Wow this is AMAZING!!!! Thanks you guys!! I like how you are planning in advance so we can keep playing webkinz! :D
My one question is lets say you download and play the desktop version on your laptop and then your laptop breaks or goes bad (as mine happens to be on its last leg) Is everything lost? Does it save only to the laptop or would you be able to get a new laptop and “log back in”
This sounds Awesome!! I’m So Excited!! I Love playing Webkinz & would be Devastated if I couldn’t play anymore!! So, umm… if it’s Everything we Love about Webkinz is there Any Hope of getting Mazin’ Hamsters back?? PLEASE??
(oh yeah.. and I’d love to be a beta tester too!!)