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.
What about the games on Webkinz news? They are flash! Will they be gone too? How will all this change webkinz news?
Remember (for those of us old enough to recall) when Y2K was looming and everyone believed all computers would shutdown? Well, computer techs had a huge heads up before the tabloids started scaring people. Mite the same here. Ganz has been well aware and are taking the necessary steps to do that crossover. I know we might not he exactly what we’re used to, but it’s going to be awfully close! I’ve been watching as they move more and more functions with s great deal of success and even improved some of them. This is a work in progress and sounds like a real promise for a future with our Webkinz World. I’m here in the cheering section waving my pompoms and hollering, ‘Webkinz, Webkinz, here’s to Ganz! If they can’t do it, no one can!’
When I found out a few months ago that they have been working on this it was a relief. Especially once I heard they are making it available for the computer. I don’t have a mobile device but now am happy each time I see they make something work for mobile knowing that means it will also now work on the computer app. Most of my Webkinz issues are browser and flash related so I am hoping the new computer app will actually be an improvement. Fingers crossed.
Hi dixiecup! Neat post! I certainly remember “Y2K”—it was much ado about nothing. The media (it wasn’t just ‘tabloids’—it was the mainstream media, domestic and international) behaved so irresponsibly in their reporting of all doom and gloom. So I completely understand what you’re saying, dixiecup. And I agree with you. Steve Webkinz report was very upbeat and positive about the changes that lie ahead in WW. It is actually quite possible an app download could make the game even better than it is now! I think part of the problem is that many of us don’t understand computer technology. (I am THE WORST when it comes to figuring that stuff out.) In the meantime, I really like your cheer! Keep it going; if you shout loud enough the techs in Canada might here you! (And don’t forget: keep buying Webkinz…!)
good grief………I hope they don’t ‘here’ your cheer…………I hope they ‘hear’ your cheer!! lol….. Please don’t tell Ms. Cowoline I made such an error…She’d whoop me right back down to Level One at the Kinzville Academy for that error!
LOL! Blame it on autocorrect… :)
Hey dixiecup! I Agree…every time Webkinz would be going through something I’d always have faith in them that it would be fixed, they want it to remain just as much, if not more than all of us, let’s come together and have faith once again that it will all work out somehow. Until further notice, keep on playing and being involved. ALSO, I must say and I don’t know if anyone has thanked the MODERATORS in 2017 for helping us all communicate nicely with each other on Webkinz Newz, so a big shout out to the mods!!! Thank you so much for your time and dedication. Us dedicated fans are hoping for the best…
So well said, dixiecup! I’m cheering with you, and I feel really good about the future of WW. I love the fact that they have been open about changes and keeping their fans/players informed. I think Webkinz is going to be better than ever!
I have never been able to play Webkinz on a phone. I can’t afford the monthly bill of a phone that has enough space for an app like that. So, when the change happens, I guess I won’t ever be able to play Webkinz again. This makes me so upset. I’ve put a lot of time and money into my pets, and now they’re being taken away from me. I can’t believe it.
I don’t have a mobile device either but will still be playing it on my computer. They said you can use the app on both laptop or desktop. So you can still play as long as you have a computer.
But they said it will be a download… doesn’t this mean that it will just be a glorified PC game that doesn’t connect to anything online? No events, no chatting, etc?
No, it would be an app… like the mobile app. Internet connection is still required :)
OK so my last concern is that my computer may not have space for the app, or that it won’t be able to run fast enough. :/
I have a few question about this. Though I’m very excited and happy to see that you’re working on keeping Webkinz available after Flash Player ceases to exist, I’m a little concerned about how players like me, who doesn’t have modern mobile devices or computers, will be able to continue to play Webkinz in the future. My tablet and phone are already quite slow and are barely able to run the Webkinz mobile app now, and if that’s going to be the only Webkinz game available, I’m not sure if I’d be able to keep playing since the app will probably become even heavier and too much for my mobile devices to handle. :( For the computer version, I don’t know if I’d be able to use that as well since the only way to get that will probably be through the Windows store and I only have Windows 7 which doesn’t have access to the windows store. If it’s possible to have it available to download any other way, that would be amazing. Also, will the Tournament Arena, the Curio Shop, the Clubhouse, the Kinzville park, and other beloved Webkinz spots still be available in the mobile app? As of right now it only has a few things, but I’m assuming that you’ll be porting as much as possible to the app. Thank you so much!
Hi Steve, what about our currant games? Will those remain the same, with everything we have invested into over the years once you do a switch over in 2018? I have been playing Webkinz for 11 years and can’t image losing what I’ve invested. Will my account remain the same with everything in tact after the switch? I can’t play mobile because of my vision unless it starts becoming a game available through Amazon as I own kindles, so I have to use a computer. My heart is racing here. :(
I’ve got an idea!! Why don’t you buy flashplayer from adobe, since they don’t want it any more, and then you can keep webkinz as it is now. Just a thought!!
Love it! :)
The reason Flash Player is being discontinued is because it is outdated technology that has served its purpose but is no longer working well with the newer computers/browsers. The endless crash-and-glitch problems we’ve experienced in Webkinz World are mostly due to Flash Player. It’s time for it to be retired. Nice idea, but nobody is going to buy it at this point.
I can appreciate all of the hard work you and the rest of the webkinz staff have put into webkinz. However, I cannot say that I am completely happy with the news. I have been a webkinz player for many years. I enjoy chatting in the park with friends that I have made on webkinz. Will we still be able to chat in the park, trade in the trade room, or have parties? I wish there was an alternative!
The mobile version I really don’t like, its hard to move items, and scrolling the dock is a pain, it truly gives me a headache. Not only that, but I can only play it (The mobile version) when I visit my grandpa at the nursing home, on my grandmas Iphone! my family doesn’t let me turn on the Wi-Fi because it slows our internet down (and its AWFUL playing it with slow internet) and she doesn’t want me on it unless I’m with my grandpa (he loves Webkinz). So I’m between a rock and a hard place. :( I really hope it stays on the computer, its very nice and I love it much better.
I sort of find this hard to believe, I’ve played a MMO that promised more things in the future of 2014 (They said that in beginning of 2013, and even released a new huge area to explore!) and at the end of 2014, couple days after Christmas they said they were shutting down on April 1st, Now quite a few people thought it was a joke, which I WISH it was, but it wasn’t and I was very sad and depressed, the last 2 months of the games life was HORRIBLE (Like they wanted to make you feel okay it was going), This game was made by Sony and they kept saying “We have other MMO’s!” and they recommended ADULT stuff (The game I played was rated E10+), it was very disappointing (2009 to 2014 mind you). Point being, I’ve seen this game slowly become what that game was, and I HOPE that it doesn’t crash and burn like that did, I loved this game and even though A LOT of changes happened that I don’t a agree with, Webkinz has a lot of special memories, and I don’t want to lose it!
Steve thanks for this rerport. I’m glad you let us know about this issue. I’m grateful to know that you guys are on top of things. I know you all are doing your best. That said, I AM SO NERVOUS! I don’t understand technnology at all. Doesn’t an app like I think you’re explaining, that a person would download onto their computer only consist of the game? I guess what I’m trying to ask is, will this app only enable us to play in WW? What about Webkinz Newz? What about the eStore? Will we still have Kinz Chat Plus? So many questions! I’m a wreck! Since you asked what we would like you to report on, I myself would just really appreciate as much information and updates on this particular issue at hand. While I do appreciate your report, I am left feeling very deflated. I just purchased eStore points yesterday at 50% off. Now, having read this news report, I’m not really interested in shopping with them or purchasing any more points at all. I may even hold off on renewing Deluxe accounts until we see the end result of this change. Please, please, please keep us up to date, Steve! >{^;^}<
Amen to that! i feel like money spent on points and stuff is wasted now.