Animal Jam

Development

The game was developed by WildWorks (formerly called Smart Bomb Interactive) and was launched on September 9, 2010. ^[3] It is one of the fastest-growing online children’s properties worldwide. In 2011, Animal Jam recorded 1 million registered players. Later, in March 2013, the game had surpassed 10 million players, a milestone which was posted on the game itself. ^[4]

Gameplay environment

Animal Jam takes place in a fictional area known as Jamaa, with various biomes and customizable animals. New players create an animal with a three-part name, such as “Crashing Magicshark.” From that point, players can play with the environment. The original six virtual animals that could be created were the panda , rabbit , tiger , wolf , koala , monkey , seal , and penguin. Many more animals have been added following the six, giving them a chance to see their favorite animals in the game. Players can aussi customize Their dens with furniture, chat with other players, adopt pets, play mini-games, buy additional furniture, clothing, and dens with gems and diamonds as the game’s currency , waiting areas, and go on various RPG -style adventures . There is a feature feature available that costs real money. Only members get access to exclusive dens, farts, animals, and adventures, among other things. ^[5]

Communication and safety

Animal Jam contains three versions of in-game chat, which offer different levels of restriction. Safe Chat, the default setting, only allows players to type pre-selected words or phrases. Bubble Chat does not allow players to type messages, but they are still allowed to select expressive words and phrases from a pre-approved list. Safe Chat Plus allows you to freely type words and phrases, which are still running through the game’s safety cat filter. Safe Chat Plus is only available to pay members. Parents can control players’ chat settings from the site’s parent dashboard. ^[6] The game does not allow profanity . One can also report or block other players for an acceptable, impolite, or rough behavior.

Animal Jam is free from outside advertising, and it adheres to a strict privacy policy. ^[7]

Educational elements

National Geographic herpetologist Brady Barr ^[8] and marine biologist Tierney Thys . ^[9] Furthermore, activities and messages about the prevention of environmental problems can be found throughout the game.

Other media

Merchandise

Animal Jam shirts, books, notebooks, wristbands, tote bags, in-game currency and mouse pads are sold on the Animal Jam Outfitters site. ^[10]

In 2013, WildWorks partnered with Sidekix to produce a set of eight stuffed animals modeled after Animal Jam avatars that can “flip” into a ball. ^[11]

In March 2015, WildWorks announced it had registered Commonwealth Toys and Novelty. ^[12] Currently, Commonwealth is producing a new line called “Enchanted Earth”.

In October 2015, WildWorks named Jazwares as the master toy partner for the Animal Jam brand. Jazwares will develop figures, playsets, and more items than will launch globally in 2016. ^[13]

In March 2016, WildWorks added six multi-category licensing partners for the “Animal Jam” brand. The new licensees include Isaac Morris for Apparel, Accessory Innovations for Bags, Backpacks, and Accessories, Palamon for Costumes, Wooky for Crafts and Activity Books, Bulls-i-Toy for Trading Cards, and Penguin for Publishing. ^{[ quote needed ]}

In June 2016, WildWorks released Animal Jam toys, stuffed animals, figures and toy sets.

In September 2016, thetoyinsider.com included Animal Jam in the Hot Top 20 Game List for 2016. ^[14]

On November 16, 2016, Wildworks launched “Animal Jam Box”, a subscription box Containing Goods feels to Those Who subscribe the box plan. ^[15]

Animal Jam Academy

Animal Jam Academy is a program by WildWorks directly linked to the Animal Jam website. It deals with the themes of science, technology, engineering, and art . ^[16]

Mobile apps

Play Wild 

The most popular mobile application by WildWorks is Wild Play , a 3D mobile version of the Animal Jam universe, which was released in August 2015. ^[17] In February 2016, they announced their mobile app Play Wild had reached over 1 million downloads. The game is the iPad game in 20 countries, the top downloaded game for kids 9-11 in 35 countries, iPad iPad game in 54 countries. ^[18] On May 19, 2017, Play Wild won the 2017 Google Play Awards for Best Kids’ App. ^[19]

Other apps

On July 18, 2013, a mobile app based on the game titled “Tunnel Town” was released. ^[20] The game allows for players to create their own “bunny empires” by purchasing new rabbit species. Later in 2013, a second Animal Jammobile game was made available for purchase, titled “AJ Jump.” ^[21] This game centers on kangaroos (which, at the time, were recently introduced to the Animal Jam game) and is very similar in format to Doodle Jump . ^[22]

Donations

The Gem donation box in the Conservation Museum is one way that Animal Jam helps support the mission of the National Geographic Society to inspire kids to care about the planet. ^[23] A significant portion of all revenue Animal Jam collects goes to support National Geographic’s worldwide conservation efforts. They determine which animal National Geographic should contribute more to. By June 2012, Wild Birds Enabled Wild Animals at $ 3 Million to the National Geographic Society’s work. The Play Wild Fund was introduced in November 2011 to allow players to choose which animals and conservation efforts they wanted to donate to. ^[24]

Reception

The game has received relatively positive reviews; however, it was criticized for moderation flaws and strict limitations. Common Sense Media reviewer Dana Villamagna gave Animal Jam a 3-star rating, saying that the site is more appropriate for ages and more dangerous than “unmonitored cat.” ^[25] Gamezebo reviewer Nick Tylwalk gave the site a 4-star review, stating that “there’s something [here] for animal lovers over a wide range of ages.” ^[26]

Awards

Award	Container	result
Mr. Dad [27]	National Geographic Animal Jam	Won
National Parenting Publications Awards [28]	National Geographic Animal Jam	Won
Mom’s Choice Awards [29]	National Geographic Animal Jam	Won
Life Buzz Award [30]	National Geographic Animal Jam	Won
About.com Readers’ Choice Awards [31]	National Geographic Animal Jam	Won
Webby Awards, Games Category [32]	National Geographic Animal Jam	Nominated
2016 Parents’ Choice Awards [33]	National Geographic Animal Jam	Won
2017 Google Play Awards, Best Kids App Category [34]	Animal Jam – Play Wild	Won

References