Steve Webkinz here, as we wind down 2017, I thought this would be a good opportunity to look back at the evolution of the Webkinz mobile app!
Several years ago, some select Webkinz arcade games were converted to work as standalone apps on the Apple App Store. Each of those games had to be completely re-written in a new code format (“Objective-C”) because the original version, coded for Adobe Flash Player, was too “memory heavy” to work on mobile devices. And because all of Webkinz.com was written in “Flash”, it wasn’t possible for it to work in mobile app web browsers.
By this time, it was apparent that Flash Player had a limited future, which meant that Webkinz had to change in order to survive. We began investigating Adobe’s mobile coding system called “AIR”, which would allow for an easier conversion of Flash programs.
In 2013, we launched the Webkinz Pet Care app, a companion app to Webkinz World which allowed players to interact with pets on their Webkinz.com account using a mobile device. This initial version was very limited, with the ability to feed and dress your pet outside of the room. It has its own mobile Wheel of Wow and a small arcade with just three converted games which could award KinzCash when it synched up to an account.
The following year, we added bathing, a mobile WShop, and even a new pet room that was able to show the pet and a limited number of room items.
From the beginning, the Webkinz Pet Care app was intended to be the first step in a larger evolution for the game. In 2015, on the 10th anniversary of Webkinz World, we launched “Webkinz X”. It introduced the new concept of the Pet Care Heart, Family Score and milestone prizes, along with Pet Requests.
It also involved moving the new mobile room engine onto web and creating a new Dock. This was a massive undertaking, which required every item on the site to be converted into the new code format. With tens of thousands of items already in existence, third party contractors were brought in to help convert everything. Unfortunately, due to the complexity and scope of the work involved, the process wasn’t as efficient as planned. Many items that were supposed to be fixed either didn’t work properly or weren’t even appearing.
Since then, our team of artists and programmers has continued to fix items while converting and adding more features into the Webkinz mobile app. Most recently, we’ve added a new bath and sink activity, along with a brand new Adoption Center. Our mobile Arcade now also features a large number of games that can be played on the go!
This past year, it was officially announced by Adobe that they would be discontinuing Flash Player for web browsers in 2020. For Webkinz, once that happens, the mobile version of Webkinz will be the only version of the game. For those that still prefer to play on desktop or laptop computers, in 2018 we will be launching a version of the Webkinz mobile app that can be downloaded onto your computer and played without using a web browser.
Over the next two years, we will continue to move features over to the Webkinz mobile app, so that as much of the current game as possible can be enjoyed for years to come. Keep watching Webkinz Newz for all the updates about the continuing evolution of Webkinz!
This has been Steve Webkinz reporting for Webkinz Newz! What would you like me to report on in 2018? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks so much for being so upfront about this big project and providing such good information. I think it is amazing and wonderful that the Webkinz team and Ganz are willing to put so much effort into keeping WW going. I know it will be a huge project and I plan to support all of you in any way I can. Specifically I plan to keep on playing and to keep on thanking all of you. As additions are made to the mobile app and its conversion so that it can also be used on regular computers, you have a huge bunch of players who would be happy to help you debug the program as it develops. Just let us know how we should report the inevitable bugs to you in a way that will be helpful so we can be effective beta testers as the program is developed. My hat is off to Ganz and you and all the team for taking this on and keeping WW going.
Grammy025, we share your sentiment:)
This is absolutely devastating to me :( I don’t have space on my phone for more apps so can’t get the Webkinz app. I’m not really into video games and Webkinz is the only game I ever play. How would the game work without a web browser? Sorry if that seems like a dumb question but I am very technologically challenged! LOL
WOW! Thanks! That was quite an update – I’ve been playing Webkinz for years – now all the changes and updates make sense! Thanks for explaining. Most of all, thanks for making Webkinz so much fun!! :)
This makes me ill to hear. Webkinz has been my whole world for nine years and I would be lost without it.
My login does not work on my mobile. I play on the computer and it is fine. I do not know why I do not exist on mobile.
As someone else has said, This is an absolute nightmare. I take care of 580 pets among 14 accounts and have 36 pets still waiting to be adopted (I guess I shouldn’t buy anymore). I have been playing Webkinz 10 years this coming year and have spent thousands of dollars on the game. I am technically challenged (bigtime) and have to use a desktop to see and navigate. I have the app on my phone but can’t use it very well as it’s much too small. So, this sounds like the end of the world to me. With all that said, I do appreciate the Ganz/Webkinz teams and appreciate your explanation, Steve. Sounds like so very much work for all you guys, and I apologize for all my previous whining.
That’s a ton of pets! I also have about 40 that aren’t adopted. For this December I did an advent calendar-type event where I adopted a new pet each day, and I still have 40 left.
Well, almost half the pets I care for I acquired by taking over Grandkids’ accounts as they got too busy with college, getting married, and starting families. However, i bought most of the pets for the kids so i am still heavily invested in the accounts. The larger ones i keep on Deluxe so i don’t have to keep adding pets. I keep them alive and well, and certainly would hate to lose any of them! I have been encouraged by many of the positive comments here, especially Dixiecup’s cheer: “If Ganz can’t do it, no one can!” Go Ganz! I will play Webkinz as long as i can!
I talked with the teenagers in the house & scientin says not to panic. Minecraft is an app, guys, and it also uses a server for the social interface, and it’s doing just fine. Lego Universe was an app, also used a server, worked great. As long as people keep buying Webkinz stuff, there will be Webkinz World.
Totally agree, 1Emerald1, about continuing to buy Webkinz stuff. I posted the same sentiment last night in reply to another fan’s comments. Companies need to earn money to pay their bills in order to stay in business. I have no plans to stop purchasing pets or points. I think it’s fantastic all of us have come together to share our thoughts and concerns, and be so supportive of each other about this transition. This is an amazing community! (I also think Steve Webkinz is probably sorry he posted this article…LOL!!! I’m just kidding; I’m sure he is not.) In fact, everyone at Ganz is probably very happy to know we all love WW and want to keep it thriving.
Yes, now is not the time to abandon the company, especially since we want Webkinz to survive! I have had next to nothing to spend this holiday season but am so happy I got a few estore points 50% off on Boxing Day. That, along with the amazing gifting & giveaways ganz did this year, and lovely gifts from Webkinz friends, made all the difference for me this year. The ganz tech wizards have 2 years to get the new system working. I choose to believe that they will succeed. Off to decorate now!
I’m with you, 1Emerald1! I’m here to cheer them on and watch as they do that voodoo they do so well LOL
The Webkinz mobile app is a delight. I will be sorry to see the the present desk-top site ended, but perhaps the mobile site will have become strong enough to compensate for that loss. Webkinz World is a pleasure to visit and explore. Thanks for all the hard work keeping it going.
I’m sure Ganz will figure out how to make everything smooth for us. We’ve been playing for 10 years and want to play for at least 10 more.
Somehow you have to keep webkinz on desktops. My vision is too poor for smaller devices. I’m afraid to buy anymore estore items until I know more about the future changes. Thanks for letting us know. We need assurance things will continue to work the same!! Thanks