Pet Society Anonymous

Note: This was written in January 2009, when 34 was the highest level players could reach.

There are now over 5.8 million Pet Society users, making Pet Society the second most popular game on Facebook (the first is Texas HoldEm Poker). Like many people, I have been addicted to PS since I started playing it, but now, I’m a bit worried about reaching the end. What will I do once I hit level 34? What other activity could possibly take its place? Will I rent movies again or venture out to restaurants for a bit of amusement? Or gulp, will I actually go back to doing some work on my computer? It’s gotten to a point where I am starting to think of my life as BPS and APS: Before Pet Society and After Pet Society. But now, I’m starting to fear my life PPS – Post Pet Society – and wondering how I will fill that impending void.

I interviewed several advanced players from all over the globe who’ve reached levels 32 and above to see if they were experiencing similar fears. What I found was surprising. Most of these players are still very attached to the game and play for hours each day. They’re also creative in their approach to the game, keeping things fresh and interesting. For them, level 34 isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning.

Player: Lara
Pet: Lilly
Location: France
Lara had the most impressive Lunar New Year decorations. Her house looked like a Qing dynasty palace.
Q: Has the thrill of Pet Society faded?
A: Absolutely not! But now that I have a lot of things, I’ll save a lot of coins to buy all of next week’s new items.
Q: Do you ever buy coins with real money?
A: I never buy coins, I don’t have real money to waste. I earn almost all my coins visiting my friends. I have almost 300 friends now, so it’s very convenient when I need money. It takes me about an hour to visit them all. It’s fun and cute, and I can see some beautiful houses while visiting.

Player: Penny
Pet: Brianna
Location: Australia
Penny has been so generous and selfless, giving me expensive items like a pink refrigerator while expecting nothing in return. I was impressed by her gourmet kitchen, which includes a lit stove to boil a pot of tea. She likes to shop till she drops, buying gold mystery boxes by the dozen. In these times of recession, Pet Society satisfies her shopaholic urges.
Q: What keeps you going in PS?
A: I’m still playing, visiting, cleaning pets, doing fair trade with players, giving things to PS friends. This game is still evolving as it is still in beta stage. It is really a very simple game in itself, and I think in its simplicity is its success.
Q: How many friends have you added for the purpose of playing Pet Society together?
A: Currently I have 142 PS friends.
Q: How many pets has your pet slept with?
A: Probably all of them.

Player: Dawn
Pet: Bearcat
Location: California, US
This California girl says that if her pet were in a movie, it would be played by either Meg Ryan or Sandra Bullock. When I visited her, she was busy doing laundry.
Q: What’s the best thing you’ve gotten in a Mystery Box?
A: A gold balloon, a black ducky luxurious armchair, and a dancing daisy.
Q: What’s your favorite outfit?
A: Hmm, that’s a tough one! I love the pineapple hat, taco hat, tiara and playful fish hat. (But now, Bearcat is really into her ox costume.)


Player: Amidara
Pet: Sleepy
Location:Thailand
This Thai beauty is the only pet I know who actually looks good with a fish on her head. Like Paris Hilton, she’s obsessed with pink.
Q: How addicted are you to PS?
A: Let’s say I am very very addicted. I don’t think about giving up at all. I just bought some coins with real money last night for the first time. I promised myself that I would not do it, but last night the competition for stuff in the forums was so tense that I had to splurge.
Q: What do you like most about PS?
A: I really enjoy decorating my rooms. Tonight I will renovate my bathroom. I love my garden (wish I had more dancing daisies), and I just added a kitchen room. Pink is my favorite color. My pet’s bedroom is all pink, like in my real life.
Q: How many golden poos have you had?
A: Never had one; never wanted one. I like to keep my pet clean.
Note to Ms. Thailand: Please don’t deprive your pet of its natural urges. There’s no shame in poo. Even celebrities and glamour girls need to take a dump every now and then. Poo pride is strong in Pet Society!

Player: Fran
Pet: Yume
Location: Texas, US
This pet was the first one I’d seen in a space helmet. I love the look! Doesn’t she look like a Japanese rock star?

Q:Did you ever buy coins with real money?
A:Ya, I bought some coins in the bank. Please don’t tell anyone, OK? LOL. I got some excess money from my financial aid last semester and bought some coins with it. I’m always getting those $49.99.
Q: What keeps you going?
A: I don’t think there’s really an “end” to this game. As long as there are new things coming from the shops or mystery boxes, this game will not end.