The One That Almost Got Cut
Have you ever wondered how Webkinz Challenges are created? We sat down with Michael Webkinz to learn more about his creative process.
In this 6-part series, we’ll break it all down: How are Webkinz Challenges made?
Part 2: “The One That Almost Got Cut”
Was there ever a challenge that nearly didn’t make it into the game?
“One time we released a Space Camp challenge. I was always fascinated by Space Camp. I remember when I was in school, they came and did a presentation, so I always wanted to go. But what I didn’t realize was that Space Camp was actually a registered trademark of the program that they offer in the United States. So after the challenge was released, they actually contacted us, which resulted in a partnership.
So instead of asking us to remove the concept of Space Camp, we ended up creating a special plushie for that Space Camp that would be sold exclusively at Space Camp. It was the Baker Squirrel monkey, and it came with the NASA Space Camp Blue Jacket. And when you actually adopted the pet onto your account, that’s when the Space Camp Challenge was unlocked on your account, and you could play through it to earn some space themed prizes.”
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I actually have this Webkinz plush, though I never went to Space camp. I was a kid when the first Moon Landing occurred and was glued to the television to watch the news coverage of “History in the Making”! Several years ago, we were at Kennedy Space Center, and I really wanted a souvenir that captured the history of the real Squirrel Monkey Miss Baker / astronaut / space exploration feel, preferably in plush form especially Webkinz! I didn’t get a souvenir from that trip but when I got back home and was able to get online and googled Webkinz / Miss Baker / space and saw the Webkinz Baker Squirrel Monkey I got so excited. I immediately got on the NASA Space Camp website and ordered Ms. NASA Baker my Baker Squirrel Monkey, who became my Kennedy Space Center memento via Huntsville Alabama NASA Space Camp! I am so thankful that the Space Camp idea was actually enhanced by NASA rather than being scrapped! LadyBeauty
this is very interesting. Can we see a picture of this monkey?
For the Space Camp challenge, was it originally released to all players in Webkinz World, then removed? I found a Webkinz Newz article that says the challenge was first available in November 2011, and then the Squirrel Monkey was released around April-May 2013. Was the challenge available to all players during this entire period, or was it pulled offline at some point before the pet was released? Thanks :)
That plush would have been so much fun and even more so with the chance to unlock a new game!!! So creative! I wonder why you decided to make it a squirrel monkey?!!
Oh yes, I remember that! I so wanted that, but funds were not available to me then. I was so sad I had to miss out. It would be neat to see some photos of rooms that were made back then.
That’s so cool that Space Camp worked with y’all to make a special partnership instead of making you remove the challenge! Thank you for the interview, Michael; this behind-the-scenes is so interesting!
WOW…I loved learning this!
That’s so cool! Love how they didn’t shut it down, but partnered and made it even more special!
I have one of those Baker Squirrel Monkeys, and the code for another one! It’s just precious! Love the PSI, too! I love the Space themed rooms so much! I wish you would release them again, in the WShop, for KinzCash, especially the Space Dresser, the Earth Table, and the Moon Lamp! (PLEASE!!!) The Space Theme Room is my favorite and I love collecting all the items from it. Love the Galaxy Theme, too! I even love some of the items that are in the Super Hero Themes. We will find some of the Space Theme and Galaxy Theme in the Arte’s Curio Shop, it would be wonderful if you could find a way for some of the harder to find items could be released in a Challenge, a Floaty Event, or just add the Space Themes back to the WShop for at least a month! Do it in honor of the US Space Force! Do this for “Space, The Final Frontier!” :-)
Love hearing the behind the scenes stuff, this is super interesting, totally unlocked the memory of the Bakers Monkey and the partnership; Excited for the next entry in this series