cyberpet
Virtual animal friend
A cyberpet is a digital creature that exists as a toy, program, or app, requiring care and attention from its owner.
The original was the Tamagotchi, a handheld device from the 1990s where users fed, played with, and cleaned up after a pixelated creature that could "die" from neglect.
The concept expanded to include virtual pets in video games, websites, and smartphone apps: She spent her lunch break feeding her cyberpet.
Handheld virtual pet device
- NeopetsBrowser-based creature-care game
- DigimonDigital monster franchise
- FurbyInteractive animatronic toy creature
- NintendogsDigital pet raising game
Webkinz · 90s · childhood · retro · keychain · egg-shaped · pixelated · beeping
Giving food to
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
- playingParticipating in recreation
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- hatchingEmergence from an egg
evolving · nurturing · minigames · discipline · sleep · aging · death · reset
Digital user representation
- simulationImitation of real processes
- AISimulated cognitive processing
- spriteTiny magical creature
- animationTechnique creating movement illusion
screen · LCD · graphics · software · app · mobile · online · adoptable
Forming close connections
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- caretakingAttending to needs
portable · low-maintenance · interactive · responsive · personality · mood · affection · loyalty
Input-detecting device
- microchipMiniature semiconductor processor
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- connectivityState of being linked
Bluetooth · touchscreen · LED · speaker · rechargeable · handheld · device · gadget
Tamagotchi
Handheld virtual pet device
- NeopetsBrowser-based creature-care game
- DigimonDigital monster franchise
- FurbyInteractive animatronic toy creature
Nintendogs · Webkinz · 90s · childhood · retro · keychain · egg-shaped · pixelated · beeping · memories
feeding
Giving food to
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
- playingParticipating in recreation
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
hatching · evolving · nurturing · minigames · discipline · sleep · aging · death · reset · buttons
avatar
Digital user representation
- simulationImitation of real processes
- AISimulated cognitive processing
- spriteTiny magical creature
animation · screen · LCD · graphics · software · app · mobile · online · adoptable · customization
bonding
Forming close connections
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
caretaking · portable · low-maintenance · interactive · responsive · personality · mood · affection · loyalty · entertainment
sensor
Input-detecting device
- microchipMiniature semiconductor processor
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
connectivity · Bluetooth · touchscreen · LED · speaker · rechargeable · handheld · device · gadget · electronic