Introduction
Virtual pets are computer simulations of real or imagined animals that can do everything other than warm your lap with their fuzz. Virtual pets can be everything from cats and dogs to unique creations of someone’s imagination. Virtual pets do most of the things real life pets do, and can be quite demanding on your time and attention.
Variations
One variation of virtual pets is stand alone computer programs. You can also view virtual pets on web sites. In the second case, you get to view a number of options and choose whatever suits you. You can then post this virtual pet on your web site or place it elsewhere on your computer and that is the end of it.
However some variations need more involvement from you, like in the case of a real life pet. These virtual pets come with buttons to feed, walk, pet and play with them. The pet is programmed to respond appropriately to your actions. The pet is programmed also to do some impromptu actions on its own, like going to sleep, demonstrating needs and emotions like a real life pet etc. Thus a virtual pet can be quite an attention seeker for its owner.
Virtual pets also come in a stand-alone form, often appearing on an LCD screen. These toys have several buttons to choose appropriate actions towards your pet. These toys are even more demanding than computer and web site based pets. Unlike a web based pet, these can’t be turned off. You have to attend to the pet round the clock and the toy is programmed to make sounds to alert you to the pet’s needs. These toy pets are often pretty tiring to the user- all demands and no love from a real living being!
Love or Skill?
Like many forms of virtual art, a lot of imagination goes into the making of virtual pets. Virtual pets can simulate a lot of real life situations and throw up surprises. So much so, some virtual pets are programmed to die! Some people tend to view virtual pets are substitutes for real life pets for these reasons. However the element of mutual affection is missing here and nothing can replace the reflexes that happen when two living beings interact. Virtual pets are thus more of games that nurture the user’s computer skills while providing a lot of fun. |
