Webkinz

Webkinz is a brand name under which the Canadian toy manufacturer Located in Canada and the United States since 2005, markets a series of stuffed animals and stuffed animal accessories.

The peculiarity of the marketing concept is that the company operates on trade in Webkinz products, a website ( Webkinz World), on the log, the buyers of these products with the help of a number code, and with a virtual version of their purchased toy in a can play environment, which they can set up and customize to your own taste. The more Webkinz and accessories are bought, the more KinzCash ( virtual money ), rooms and furnishings are available.

In the U.S. children of primary school age were among Webkinz, of which there are already over 200 different until about 2008 most popular toys.

Product spectrum

The product range includes mainly dogs and cats, and farm and wild animals, fish, birds, frogs and fantasy animals. In addition to the animals, a number of so-called W -Plus items is offered, Accessories, which are also equipped with a code and can be registered in Webkinz World against KinzCash or other services. The W -Plus items include, for example cosmetics, bookmarks, trading cards ( trading cards ), as well as tote bags or clothing for stuffed animals or children.

In the U.S., current Webkinz are traded for a purchase price of about $ 15. Besides the actual Webkinz series is the cheaper product series Lil'Kinz commercially, the slightly smaller edition of the " Webkinz ".

In the online shop of the company " Pretty " ( " eStore " ), the parent or guardian in addition also acquire " eStore Points " with which you can buy codes for virtual device, clothing or anything else.

Website

Each stuffed animal and accessory comes with an 8- digit code. By registering this code on the website, "adopted" to the toy in the Webkinz World, a virtual game reality in which private economic activity is. The user will receive with the adoption of a toy money (so-called KinzCash ), an exclusive piece of furniture and the special item of the animal ( "Pet Specific Item" ), play online games, many of which are only available at certain times available, and answer general knowledge questions.

In the W Shop, users can spend their KinzCash and for that purchase food for their pets, furnishings or additional rooms for the house, which can be rearranged as desired at any time. The animals can be fed, housed, brushed or bathed to the toilet or to the vet. In the garden is planted, cultivated and harvested erected or a swimming pool. The online world also contains many rare or exclusive items, some of which may only be acquired by adoption of a "Pet of the Month" (see below ) or in the Curio Shop, where you can also dig for gems ( " gem mining" / " Gem Hunt "). For other KinzCash must be invested, which you only obtain in large quantities by buying new toys and "adopted". Additional KinzCash can however also be obtained in most games. In the " Club House ", the users have the ability to chat with friends and to share limited possessions. In addition, a " Pet of the Month " ( "Pet of the Month" ) is proclaimed on a regular basis; Users who purchases the animal and "adopt" get in the online exclusive articles and reality may at special times play games, which owners can not play without "Pet of the Month". For every "Pet of the Month" there is a corresponding music video and a month long objects from the video, which can be purchased in the " eStore ".

In addition, the users with friends who identify themselves via a password, interact interaction, chat, play games together in the online world.

The " Deluxe Membership", which you can acquire through voluntary monthly payment, the child special clothing, furniture, additional " eStore Points" and extended chat facilities are provided.

On the to " Webkinz " belonging page " Webkinz Newz " one has the opportunity to participate in contests, to express his opinion in a forum or simply want to get news.

Although Webkinz may be rising - play been to 14 different languages ​​tendency now through settings, some places are still in English.

Criticism

While many parents see in their children's employment with the Webkinz World educational benefits, others have expressed concern that these employment generating a dependency. Although the online chat system allows free communication only if the guardians have consented to, some doubt the safety of the chat function. In order to avoid distraction from the tuition, some schools have now banned the children to bring Webkinz to class. Criticism was also that the originally ad-free site now contains commercial advertising.