Animal Jam

Last updated
Animal Jam Classic
Animal Jam Logo.png
Previous Animal Jam Classic logo
Developer(s) WildWorks
Publisher(s) WildWorks
Engine Adobe Flash
Platform(s) Online, Windows, MacOS, Linux, Wii, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Xbox Live Arcade Gamecube Xbox 360
ReleaseOctober 3, 2010
Genre(s) MMO, Educational video game Arcade

Animal Jam Classic [1] , formerly known as Animal Jam, is an online virtual world that was developed by WildWorks and is recommended for children aged 4 to 8. It was launched in 2010, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society. [2] With more than 300 Million registered users, [3] Animal Jam Classic is one of the many fastest-growing online children's properties in the world along with Moshi Monsters. [4]

Contents

In Animal Jam Classic, players will discover and learn various facts about zoology using the game's numerous features, including mini-games, puzzles, adventures, parties, and social interactions. Due to its rapid growing, Animal Jam Classic has spawned different types of merchandise, including figurine toys, children's books, board games, and a subscription box.


Although Animal Jam Classic is primarily played online, the Animal Jam universe has been expanded to most incorporate mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and iOS devices. The most popular Animal Jam universe mobile app is Animal Jam which is a 3D version of the Animal Jam Classic world. WildWorks has also developed other apps that are based on the Animal Jam game including Tunnel Town, AJ Jump, and Dash Tag.

In 2020, WildWorks changed the original Animal Jam's name to "Animal Jam Classic". The mobile game (formerly called Animal Jam Play Wild) became the primary focus of WildWorks and there was also a downloadable PC version of the newer 3D Animal Jam experience.

Development

Animal Jam was developed by WildWorks (then called Smart Bomb Interactive) and it was launched on September 9, 2010. [2] In 2011, Animal Jam had over 1 million registered players in the game. Later, in March 2013, the game had already achieved over 10 million players, a milestone which was made known to all of the players in the game itself. [5] Since then, Animal Jam's population has grown rapidly with the game now having over 100 million players as of late 2018. [3] In May 2020 an in-game event dubbed the "aMAYzing Migration", WildWorks had changed Animal Jam's name to Animal Jam Classic. Because it was also part of this event, the WildWorks app that was formerly known as Play Wild took out the name of Animal Jam. [6]

Gameplay environment

Animal Jam takes place in a fictional area that is known as Jamaa, with various different biomes, dinosaurs and customizable animals. New players can create an animal with a name that is composed of three simple words. From that point, players can customize and move around with it in the gameplay environment. The original six virtual animals that could be created were the panda, rabbit, tiger, wolf, koala, and monkey. Many more animals are added following the six. This gives players a possibility of seeing one of their favorite animals in-game.

Players can customize their own dens with furniture, artwork made by themselves or with other jammers, and decorations, chat with other players, talk to other animals, adopt pets, play mini-games, trade and buy in-game items, such as clothing and furniture, with gems, sapphires and diamonds as the game's true currency, attend parties, and go on various RPG-style adventures. There is a membership feature available on the site that costs real money; only members can get access to exclusive dens, pets, dinosaurs, animals, adventures, and game features among other things. [7]

Communication and safety

Animal Jam contains three versions of in-game chat, which offers various levels of restriction. Bubble Chat restricts players from typing messages but it will allow them to select predefined words and phrases in a list. Safe Chat, the default setting, allows players to type words or phrases in a particular list which only the game permits, which is similar to a whitelist. Safe Chat Plus, which was previously available only to members but now only available for all players, allows players to type any word or phrase, which is being run through the game's safe chat filter. Parents can control players’ chat settings from the site's parent dashboard. [8] One player can report or block another player for unacceptable, intolerable, or inappropriate behavior. If the player is found chatting in an unacceptable, intolerable, or in an inappropriate way, the player can have their chat blocked, chat muted for a specific amount of time (usually for a day or so), or even be banned from logging on for a long period.

Animal Jam is free from outside advertising, and it adheres to a strict privacy policy from other people. [9]

Educational elements

In addition to in-game nature facts and activities, Animal Jam provides somewhat an educational video content featuring herpetologist Brady Barr [10] and marine biologist Tierney Thys. [11] Furthermore, activities and messages can prevent other environmental problems and events that can be found throughout the game.

The journey book is also an educational feature to the game. When the player finds any matching picture from the journey book, they will be told about a fact about the animal or plant. During other events, as well, other items (banners, paintings, etc.) can also be clickable to read facts. On mobile Animal Jam also includes facts about animals. There are many animals in-game.

Other media

Merchandise

Animal Jam shirts, stuffed animals, hats, in-game currency, books, and toys are sold on the Animal Jam Outfitters site and have been very popular. [12]

In 2013, WildWorks had partnered with Sidekix to produce a set of eight stuffed animals modeled after the Animal Jam avatars that can be "flipped" into a ball. [13] In October 2015, the company named Jazwares as the main toy partner for the Animal Jam brand. Jazwares began developing figures, playsets, and plush items which were launched internationally in 2016. [14]

In June 2016, WildWorks released Animal Jam toys which consisted mainly of stuffed animals, figures, and toy sets. One of which is a series of toys called "Animal Jam Adopt-a-Pet" which comes with a miniature figure of a pet from the game and two accessories in a den shaped box, along with an in-game item code. Since the release, four series have been released so far featuring different pets, accessories, and dens.

On November 16, 2016, WildWorks launched "Animal Jam Box", a subscription box that contained merchandise sent to those who would subscribe to the plan. [15]

In early 2019, WildWorks' contract had ended, and the company could no longer make merchandise toys or books. However, the subscription box has still been existent.

"Pillow Pets" that was based on Animal Jam in-game avatars are sold on the Pillow Pets official website, at many online stores and on Amazon.com. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Animal Jam Academy

Animal Jam Academy is a program by WildWorks directly linked to the Animal Jam website. [21] It provides users with "how-to" projects using the themes of science, technology, engineering, and art.

Mobile apps

Animal Jam

The most popular mobile application by WildWorks is Animal Jam, formerly known as Animal Jam - Play Wild!, which is a 3D version of the Animal Jam Classic universe, which was released in August 2015. [22]

In February 2016, WildWorks had announced that Play Wild had reached over 1 million downloads. The app is the top downloaded iPad educational game in 24 countries, the top downloaded game for kids 9-11 in 35 countries in 2018, and top grossing iPad game in 54 countries. [23] On May 19, 2017, Play Wild won the Google Play Awards 2017 for Best Kids' App. [24]

In early 2020, a desktop app version of Play Wild was released allowing players to play the 3D mobile environment on most PCs and Macs at current generations. [25]

In late April 2020, Animal Jam was renamed to Animal Jam Classic, while Animal Jam - Play Wild! which took the name from Animal Jam.

Other apps

On July 18, 2013, a free Animal Jam Classic-based app, which is called "Tunnel Town," was released on the iOS and Android. [26] In Tunnel Town, players raise a bunny family underground by purchasing, looking after and raising new rabbit species.

Later, in 2013, a second Animal Jam Classic-based mobile game was available for purchase, which was titled "AJ Jump." [27] This game is centered on kangaroos (a mobile app that was introduced to Animal Jam at the time) with a similar gameplay format to Doodle Jump. [28]

In 2018, the third game was released, which was titled "Dash Tag". [29] In Dash Tag, the player collects various animals and they will attempt to evade the capture from Misha the Panda. The gameplay is an endless runner game similar to Subway Surfers and Temple Run.

Donations

The Gem donation box which is in the game's Conservation Museum (found in Appondale) is the only way Animal Jam will help support the mission to inspire children from all over the United States to care about the planet. A significant portion of all revenue Animal Jam collects went to support worldwide conservation efforts. By June 2012, players enabled the Animal Jam creators at WildWorks by contributing over $3 million to the National Geographic Society's work. The Play Wild Fund was introduced in November 2011 to allow other players to choose which animals they want and conservation efforts they wanted to donate to Animal Jam Wishes to create a bigger community to contribute to the planet. In 2014, Animal Jam raised $200 million to the charity.

Reception

Animal Jam Classic had received relatively positive reviews, with some criticism towards the actual flaws and strict limitations on accounts. Common Sense Media reviewer Dana Villamagna gave Animal Jam a 3-star rating, saying that the site was most appropriate for ages ten and over due to dangerous animals and "unmonitored chat." [30] Gamezebo reviewer Nick Tylwalk gave the site a 4-star review, which stated, "There's something for animal lovers over a load range of ages." [31] This game is mentioned in The Toy Insider's Hot Top 20 Game List for 2016. [32] In the original version, Animal Jam had received negative reviews.

Awards

AwardRecipientResult
Mr. Dad [33] Animal Jam Classic (formerly Animal Jam)Won
National Parenting Publications Awards [34] Animal Jam Classic (formerly Animal Jam)Won
Life Buzz Award [35] Animal Jam Classic (formerly Animal Jam)Won
About.com Readers' Choice Awards [36] Animal Jam Classic (formerly Animal Jam)Won
Webby Awards, Games Category [37] Animal Jam Classic (formerly Animal Jam)Nominated
2016 Parents' Choice Awards [38] Animal Jam Classic (formerly Animal Jam)Won
2017 Google Play Awards, Best Kids App Category [39] Animal Jam (formerly Animal Jam - Play Wild!)Won

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References

  1. ↑ "Animal Jam". https://www.animaljam.com/en/classic .External link in |website= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  2. 1 2 "Young Explorers Experience Ultimate Online Playground With National Geographic Animal Jam". National Geographic. August 2010.
  3. 1 2 "WildWorks - News". WildWorks. October 2017.
  4. ↑ "National Geographic Animal Jam surpasses 100 million young players". PRNewswire. September 2018.
  5. ↑ Grubb, Jeffrey (March 2013). "National Geographic's Animal Jam reaches 10 million players — iOS spin-off in the works". VentureBeat. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Animal Jam's Instagram post: "Today is a special day in the history of Animal Jam! It has been nearly 10 years since the launch of Animal Jam; in recognition of this…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2020-05-12.
  7. ↑ "Animal Jam - Member Benefits". animaljam.com. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  8. ↑ "What types of chat can I set for my child's account?". Animal Jam Help Center.
  9. ↑ Schiff, Allison (December 2014). "Animal Jam: 'Monetizing An App For Kids Is Easy - Doing It Ethically Is What's Hard'". Adexchanger.
  10. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (May 2011). "National Geographic virtual world Animal Jam hits a million kids". Venture Beat.
  11. ↑ Abraham, Kera (June 2014). "Marine biologist and science educator is on a mission to promote ocean stewardship". Monterey County Weekly.
  12. ↑ "Animal Jam Outfitters". animaljam.com.
  13. ↑ "Sidekix". sidekix.com.
  14. ↑ "WildWorks Names Jazwares as the Master Toy Partner for Animal Jam Brand". Marketwire. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  15. ↑ "Animal Jam Box". animaljambox.com. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "Animal Jam Bunny Pillow Pet". Pillow Pets. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  17. ↑ "Animal Jam Lynx Pillow Pet". Pillow Pets. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  18. ↑ amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Pillow-Pets-Animal-Super-Stuffed/dp/B01MSDCHEH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Pillow+Pets+Animal+Jam,+Lynx,+16%22+Super+Soft+Stuffed+Animal+Plush+Toy&qid=1579743830&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-1 . Retrieved 2020-01-23.Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ↑ amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Pillow-Pets-Animal-Bunny-Stuffed/dp/B01MZFQFVX/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Pillow+Pets+Animal+Jam,+bunny,+16%22+Super+Soft+Stuffed+Animal+Plush+Toy&qid=1579743862&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-1 . Retrieved 2020-01-23.Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ↑ amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Pillow-Pets-Animal-Super-Stuffed/dp/B01N4U4YBQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=Pillow+Pets+Animal+Jam,+fox,+16%22+Super+Soft+Stuffed+Animal+Plush+Toy&qid=1579743878&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-1-fkmr0 . Retrieved 2020-01-23.Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ "Animal Jam Academy". academy.animaljam.com/posts. Retrieved 10 Aug 2018.
  22. ↑ "Animal Jam". animaljam.com/en/classic.
  23. ↑ "Animal Jam Named Fastest Growing Gaming Site in the United States by SimilarWeb". Marketwire. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  24. ↑ "Google Play Award Winners 2017: Google picks the best apps and games of the last year". 19 May 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  25. ↑ https://animaljam.com/en
  26. ↑ "Tunnel Town". tunneltown.com.
  27. ↑ "AJ Jump". animaljam.com.
  28. ↑ WildWorks. "AJ Jump: Animal Jam Kangaroos! - Android Apps on Google Play". google.com.
  29. ↑ WildWorks. "Dash Tag - Fun Endless Runner!". google.com.
  30. ↑ "Common Sense Media - Animal Jam". commonsensemedia.org.
  31. ↑ "Gamezebo Animal Jam Review". Gamezebo.
  32. ↑ "Top Holiday Toys - 2017 Holiday Toy Reviews - The Toy Insider". The Toy Insider. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  33. ↑ "Seal of Approval Winners, Father's Day 2011". Mr. Dad. June 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  34. ↑ "National Parenting Publications Awards :: Virtual". National Parenting Publications Awards. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  35. ↑ "Jodie Lynn's Life Buzz Award Program". Jodie Lynn's Life Buzz Award Program. Jodie Lynn. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  36. ↑ Matte, Christy (2011). "Best Website for Elementary School Kids - 2011 Readers' Choice Award Winner". About Parenting. Christy Matte. Archived from the original on 2014-12-28. Retrieved 2014-12-28.
  37. ↑ "Smart Bomb's National Geographic Animal Jam Nominated in 17th Annual Webby Awards". National Geographic. April 12, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Animal Jam". parents-choice.org. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  39. ↑ "2017 Google Play Awards". play.google.com. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
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