Happy 14th Webkinz Day everyone!
It just doesn’t seem possible that Webkinz World was launched on the web 14 years ago. I arrived at Ganz just over a month before the very first Webkinz Day, so I was lucky enough to see our little game grow into a huge phenomenon and become such an important part of an entire generation’s childhood.
The real rollercoaster ride began just before our second Christmas, when in December of 2006, Webkinz was being featured on all of the big TV morning shows as one of the “hot toys” for the holiday season. Our popularity after that took off like a rocket, and the rest is history!
I actually managed to record a couple of those shows from 2006, and for the first time, I’ve uploaded them to YouTube to share with everyone. Enjoy!
(*Sorry for the low quality—it was the early day of digital recording)
Do YOU remember when the “Webkinz craze” hit where you live? And what would you like me to report on next? Let me know in the comments below.
Oh my gosh this is so nostalgic!!
I remember the craze. I was in middle school and I think the hottest trend in my area at the time was Pokemon. Then a few kids got Webkinz for Christmas and shared it with their friends. They loved them so much they shared it with their friends and so on. Eventually it spread like wildfire and everyone always couldn’t wait for the newest pets to be released and was checking the newspaper in Webkinz World every day to see if any new pets were added to the pets and stuff section. I always loved that section because it used to check off which pets you adopted. I’ve been on 12 years almost and I’m always recommending this game to anyone especially to parents with kids because it fun, educational, and most importantly, safe. Happy 14th Webkinz! Here’s to more wonderful fun filled years ahead!
I remember getting my first webkinz on october 28, 2006
I remember being in elementary school when Webkinz got really big and they were sold out everywhere! I’d go to my friend’s house after school and play with him on his dad’s desktop computer.
Thank you, Michael.
Thanks for showing us these, Steve, it was a true blast from the past. I do indeed remember when the Webkinz “craze” hit my kids’ grammar school and subsequently, our house! Sweet memories. My oldest is in college now & the youngest will graduate high school in about a month. Turn back the clock…..
LOL never mind about the video quality. We pretty much take high res for granted, now!
I’ve really thought about it & I’d like you to report on game design next. For those of us not in the field, this is a mysterious process & I myself am clueless about many aspects. How are the concepts for games chosen? About how many hours go into designing a typical WW game? How many artists and technical wizards are usually involved per game? How many games have there been (including those retired) since the launch of WW? And on a personal note, why does my favorite game, Goober’s Atomic Adventure, not award prizes like so many of the others? Is it because of the way the game is designed, or some other reason? Thanks, Steve! I always enjoy your reports.
Hi 1Emerald1! Happy Webkinz Day! Excellent suggestion for a report! This would be fascinating to read.
This is a great idea.
Steve’s next report should be interesting!
This is so cool, haha! I wish I had been into Webkinz when that “Webkinz craze” happened. If only people from back in the day could see how much better and improved the site and plushes are! I mean, of course, the original stringy haired Webkinz were great, but the softer more quality plushes and designs are just so cute!
LOL, same here emi. Yeah, I wish I gotten into it earlier back then… I joined in late December 2010. And, oh yes, the plushes definitely have improved! ^-^
As someone who first became a member in 2007, right in the middle of “that Webkinz craze,” I certainly can say I’ve been amazed at the progress both the website and the toys have made! It’s been like watching a kid growing up! I’m so glad that as other virtual worlds have come and gone (including some of my other favorites ;o; to my regret), Webkinz appears to be here to stay for the forseeable future! :D
I joined in 2007, but I took a break for a while. I was full on a part of the Webkinz craze. I do agree that the quality of Webkinz stuffed animals has gone up, I do miss the stringy-fur they had on some of the older plush.
I joined in 2008 and have been so glad to have been a part of this growing community of wonderful people. I love the Community Challenges that they have come up with! It’s so very nice to be involved in some of the decision making for pet, room themes and the like. I think that it’s a very nice feature that isn’t always as direct in other games. I’m so looking forward to seeing what we do next!
Thanks for sharing the videos Steve! My first pet was a gift from my grand kids in 2007 and I’ve been playing ever since.
thanks for those videos!
Wow, this is really cool! I can’t wait to watch these videos later.
This was so cool I love it! I wish they were more advertised now. And at stores I have to order all of mine, but still very cool!!!!!!
There are only a couple of stores near me that have a limited amount of Li’l Kinz. Some of the fish at one place and the Lion, Lioness and Koala at another.