Vivapets Blog

Article from Petwire

Anyone who remembers the 90’s will remember one particularly squeaky and annoying fad that kept children entertained for hours on end – the Tamagotchi – a cyber pet contained in a little handy, carry-everywhere device. However technology has come a long way since then and we’re now being offered a new generation in cyber pets thanks to the new Sony EyePet.

This new computer game enables players to view themselves on screen with their virtual animal in their living room. Players are filmed by video camera connected to a PlayStation 3 console and can give commands to their creatures simply by moving around in front of their TV.

The animal, which looks a bit like a cross between a dog, cat and monkey (and a cabbage patch doll!), reacts to voices and gestures and can recognise objects, such as toys, that a player puts on screen.

Speaking ahead of the game's launch, a Sony spokesman said: ''By completing daily tasks, you can teach your EyePet brand new games to play.

"The more he learns the more exciting new tasks you'll get to teach him. EyePet is fully aware of people in the room and will play with you and your family in your home. Poke him and he jumps, stroke him and he'll roll over in contentment, tickle him and he'll laugh."

And it’s not just the EyePet that’s set to be big this year. Leading retailers, Argos, have predicted that role-play toys with a technological "twist" are predicted to be the hot trend this festive season. The retailer is tipping Go Go Hamsters - artificially intelligent rodents able to talk and move around their hamster ''funhouses'' – and Lu Lu My Cuddlin' Kitten - an interactive pet which purrs, rolls over and responds to her owner - as two of the top 10 toys for Christmas.

Ian Chaplin, Argos toys trading manager, said: "Role-play inspired products with a technology twist are one of the hot trends for kids this year and 'poopless pets' have become increasingly popular. We have 20 electronic pets in our toy range this Christmas. They're great fun for kids and less mess than real pets, which goes down well with parents."

Now whilst this all seems like fun I can’t help that think the novelty will wear off pretty quickly. Whilst they may be fun for a few hours, maybe even a few days if you stretch it out, are we really ready to trade in our fluffy, four legged friends for the convenience of virtual friends? Maybe virtual pets are taking it too far, but perhaps people are looking for more convenient, low maintenance pets. However, in time they may find that the real thing is much better, despite the mess! Let me know your thoughts!