mind-full's Full Review: Webkinz Husky Dog Stuffed Animal
Cute little Husky ... a Webkinz by Ganz ... if you don't know what a "Webkinz" is just keep right on moving. You don't want to get into this particular groove. Addiction, fits of anger, flaring temper, difficulty focusing, fierce competition, draining bank accounts ... all part of the Webkinz experience.
You Think I'm Kidding, Don't You?
We have experienced squeals of joy as a gift containing a Webkinz Husky opens, revealing a cute little ball of fur bearing an embroidered "W" on it's back paw and wearing a tag with -- what's that? A license number? Not exactly, an access code to one of most sought-after club memberships on the planet.
Webkinz Husky and about 100 other animals, reptiles and amphibians have entered the market, working their cute wiles on kids of all ages. I've encountered parents who have fallen under the spell of these creatures. I've also met people who have no idea what the attraction is to these half-sized stuffed animals, some of which aren't even very cute.
And, yes, the Webkinz Husky has generated those negative reactions listed above. The call of the wild here comes in the form of computer-generated characters which can walk around the virtual "house" you can "build" with "KinzCash" ... a form of currency in the Webkinz World.
How does one enter this world and become a contributing citizen? Purchase a Webkinz Husky and head to your computer. Upon typing in www.webkinz.com and choosing "New Member", you may go through the motions of adopting your new pup (the one you already own because you have paid for it, anywhere from $7 to $25, depending on the local going rate), naming it and creating a user name and password for yourself. Or for your child, I should say.
Once you find yourself accepted in this world, you may view the Husky in its very own domicile. Your Husky will receive welcome gifts just for being him (or her), and you will learn that you can help your doggy decorate its abode with all styles and prices of furniture, purchase it basic or exotic foods for mealtimes and snacks, collect a fine wardrobe including hats and shoes, and send gifts to other Webkinz friends.
Money? There's Money Involved?
KinzCash. The greenbacks of the Webkinz World ... what makes it spin. Without KinzCash you will not have the coolest habitat on the site, nor enough food to keep your pet happy and healthy. You will not dress your pet fashionably, nor afford it any luxuries in its home. You need KinzCash, and Webkinz World has help for that.
Your Husky will have a bank account of sorts, which it may draw from to purchase necessary items as well as lots of useless stuff. He may "work" to fill that account by playing games that sound like jobs, such as Physician's Assistant, Shoe Store Clerk, Babysitter ... all games that will, if completed accurately and within the time limits, earn your pet some "cash".
Other games on the site will assist your pet in earning fake cash, too. A huge drawback for me as a parent watching my child spend time on this site remains the fact that a long time of game playing may result in only about "twenty bucks" in the Webkinz world. That allows the spendthrift types very few options in making purchases, as prices on Webkinz gear (all of it virtual, ie stuff you can't touch in the real world). Our Husky fits the "spendthrift" description to a T. When the savings account reaches "0" it's very difficult to understand why Husky can't make any more buying decisions. Ouch!
Our Six-Year Old's Experience
Son of Mine, an avid Webkinzian and supporter of the local Webkinz economy in a big way to the verge of being destitute himself (no food stamps or government assistance available in this virtual world, also, no credit!), puts his whole focus on all things Webkinz. With his sidekick, the Husky basking in the glow of the computer monitor right along with him, he cheers himself on through games, thrilled to have "earned" 7 KinzCash or spin a wheel in a game of chance to garner 20, 50 or some other arbitrary sum thrown out to the person at the helm of the computer.
Don't even get me started on the games of chance. It's not my idea of a learning experience in this virtual world.
Small Son uses his allotted time in the Webkinz World, which we monitor, for the fun stuff. The site provides "daily activities" that include a spin on the Wheel of Wow (fake money, food, clothing and junk as virtual prizes), a chance to hunt for gems in a mine to build a Crown of Wonder, and a handful of other prize-gathering activities. The Little Guy here prefers the gaming areas on the site, however, and uses up his time unwisely. When time's up, he doesn't understand why he can't go on to those "daily activies" before logging off for the day. So goes the decision-making experience day after day. Husky doesn't get as much cash in his account because his owner does not have the wherewithal to make sure to provide for him responsibly. Son of Mine would rather have fun, swing through the Webkinz World on a virtual rope and live the high life, but doesn't understand the correlation of earning his way through it. What kid really does?
Is this a life lesson or what?
Very Detailed, This Virtual Lifestyle ...
The Husky could spend every waking moment visiting his mounting number of sprucely-decorated rooms in various themes, play dozens of available games, invite virtual friends to play in his house or in community spaces on the site, and, don't forget, go to bed to get some rest in order to have the energy to start all over again the next day.
Husky feels drawn to the site, dragging Small Son along with him on a virtual leash. This Son of Mine sure is the devoted type, willing to go where the dog leads him, but my job as Mother is to help him gain the skills to reverse that. He holds the leash and he directs the path. Train that Husky wisely in the way he should go!
Would We Enter This Virtual World Again if Given a "Do Over"?
I say "no". Both children and the Husband here say, "You bet!" They're all addicts on varying levels. If nothing else, you learn a lot about your child's personality through watching his decision-making processes, his playing style and his need or lack thereof to collect "friends" and cool gear and gizmos.
You be the judge. Do what you feel to be the right thing. If adoption of a Husky is in your future, be sure to train him well, set up good guidelines and by all means, be sure to put up an invisible fence named "Mom" and "Dad".
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 12 Type of Toy: Stuffed Toy
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens
The virtual version of the plush animal comes alive online in Webkinz world when activated with the special given code When you register your pet you ...More at Amazon Marketplace
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