The age of functional internet only meant one thing: online social platforms.
Forget about Disney.com, CartoonNetwork.com, and EverythingGirl.com. You can interact with REAL people. ONLINE. AND THE BEST PART? You can be whoever you want to be. Look however you want to be. And BE whoever you want to be.
.
.
(Sounds a little creepy right?)
This was the original age of catfishing. The original age of social networking, competition, strange online relationships, and all other kinds of dynamics.
This was the age of begging your parents for a $50 membership to get all the fancy schmancy access to rare items for your look and your virtual house.
THIS was the emergence of avatar online games.
1. Webkinz
WEBKINZ
Nobody picked the frog. If you picked the frog you are an actual psycho.
2. Club Penguin
Club Penguin
THREE WORDS:
TIP
THE
ICEBERG
Pull out your hard hats and start dancing
3. Build-A-Bear-Ville
Build-A-Bear-Ville
I made my parents buy me a $45 stuff toy just to get the damn access code.
4. Gaia
Gaia
Everybody who played this game now works or has worked at hot topic.
5. Maplestory
Maplestory
I know you watched those maplestory love story episodes and music videos. I know I did. And let me tell you, this was the original K-Drama.
6. IMVU
IMVU
It was like Jersey Shore but online. A lot of weirdo predators. Online virtual game for adults. That seems a but oxymoronic.
7. Neopets
NeoPets
*flashbacks of McDonalds Happy Meals hit*
8. Fantage
Fantage
Honestly, their whole deal with having characters float on little hover machines instead of walk was such a good move to save time on coding.
9. Monster High
Monster High
I hear they're doing pretty well for themselves!
10. Poptropica
Poptropica
11. Dizzywood
Dizzywood
OK. Confession. This was MY FAVORITE GAME. I was like actually popular and well known in the community. In fact, I recognize all these four avatars pictured above. They were my friends LOL
12. WeeWorld
WeeWorld
13. Wizard 101
Wizard 101
The best 10 year challenge yet.
14. Moshi Monsters
Moshi Monsters
People who chose the zombie were psychos
15. My Little Pet Shop Online
LPS Online
Funny story, I would get to Kohls and rip off the access codes off of "my little pet shop" toys to get access to the games.
16. Secret Builders
Secret Builders
Essentially what became of DizzyWood after it was shut down due to too many virtual sexual interactions. YIKES
17. Movie Star Planet
MovieStar Planet
Kim K game who?
18. Pixie Hollow
Pixie Hollow
Honestly, I was living my dream. My fairy was cute AF.
