Calling for MetaPals Beta Testers -- an upcoming virtual pet game on Chrome extension!

[MetaPals-mojojojo]

Hey everyone! We’re MetaPals, virtual pets inspired by the amazing Tamagotchi! We are looking for beta users to test our product releasing next month, and we’d love for you guys to try it out and provide feedback.

Enabled through a browser extension, MetaPals are virtual companions that you interact with and grow directly from your browser computer screen. With distinct personalities, a MetaPal can communicate via emojis, interact with elements of a webpage, and play page-specific minigames with the user. How did we come up with this idea, you might wonder? Well, our co-founders were so intrigued by the Tamagotchi and its ability to help players feel genuine care and love towards its digital pets, that they wrote a masters report and even created the concept of MetaPals through a hackathon.

We’re also all pet lovers in the team, and we know how owning a pet can be life-changing decision -- they make us feel such joy and love through their antics and personalities, teach us responsibility and discipline, and are steadfast, loyal companions till the very end. With the metaverse bringing all sorts of possibilities for the virtual world, we wanted to create digital pets that behave and interact exactly like how we do with real-life pets. Tamagotchi as an example of digital pets was (and is!) a huge hit, and we wanted to build on its mechanics and concept to bring you an even more enriching, meaningful experience online.

We think you’ll resonate with what we're trying to create, which is why we’re sharing about MetaPals here and hoping your feedback can help us achieve our grand vision for virtual companions. Check out our demo video to see how it works, and go deeper with the deets through our interactive website using the links below.

Bonus: Get a free backpack accessory when you sign up as an early adopter now! Here’s a sneak peek at our adorable Ichibu wearing it.
Official Website
Demo Video

 

[aqua husky]

Ok, I will

 

[Joc]

“metaverse”

 

[Penguin-keeper]

How are beta-testers to be paid for testing the product, since by its very nature a product is intended to generate revenue for its creators? Or are they the "product" if this application is being given out free of charge?

Also, is there any way to vet the source so that users can be certain that this application they'll be allowing to access their browser, and therefore quite likely their personal-data, is safe? I assume that it does access such data, since page-interaction and page-specific games are mentioned.

These are obvious concerns just from a quick read, and I know that they're not things that the younger generation will necessarily think of right away; I couldn't see anything in the post addressing them.

“metaverse”

Yeah... Why does this one keep coming up? It's just a buzzword being tacked on to concepts that have already existed for decades.

 

[Bentobuff]

How are beta-testers to be paid for testing the product, since by its very nature a product is intended to generate revenue for its creators? Or are they the "product" if this application is being given out free of charge?

Also, is there any way to vet the source so that users can be certain that this application they'll be allowing to access their browser, and therefore quite likely their personal-data, is safe? I assume that it does access such data, since page-interaction and page-specific games are mentioned.

These are obvious concerns just from a quick read, and I know that they're not things that the younger generation will necessarily think of right away; I couldn't see anything in the post addressing them.


Yeah... Why does this one keep coming up? It's just a buzzword being tacked on to concepts that have already existed for decades.

Dang @Penguin-keeper ! Your last few comments have been absolute bangers!

And I would also like to know how testers will be compensated. For the same security reasons Penguin mentioned, beta users may be exposing themselves to all sorts of danger made possible by such an app that would have access to the browser- meaning there's an increased risk for backdoors to private or sensitive information.
Also, what is the minimum age for someone who will be allowed to participate and how would y'all verify their age?

 

[aqua husky]

I tried it and it made my computer screen glitch.

 

[Morigale]

Others have already pointed out the safety issues, so I'll say this instead:

"Our browser extension is a powerful tool to fully realise the vision of existing and upcoming NFT projects. Imagine being able to interact with your BAYC or CryptoKitty NFT directly from your computer screen!"

"Hello Kitty? Mickey Mouse? SNOOPY!? We're talking with some of the biggest mascots and characters out there to integrate with our NFT extension. It's time to bring our well-loved characters from our childhoods into web 3.0!"

Yeah, no thanks.

 

[TamagotchiLover16]

“Nah. I don’t really feel like it.” -SpongeBob

No offense

 

[Maxxmoon]

How are beta-testers to be paid for testing the product, since by its very nature a product is intended to generate revenue for its creators? Or are they the "product" if this application is being given out free of charge?

Also, is there any way to vet the source so that users can be certain that this application they'll be allowing to access their browser, and therefore quite likely their personal-data, is safe? I assume that it does access such data, since page-interaction and page-specific games are mentioned.

These are obvious concerns just from a quick read, and I know that they're not things that the younger generation will necessarily think of right away; I couldn't see anything in the post addressing them.


Yeah... Why does this one keep coming up? It's just a buzzword being tacked on to concepts that have already existed for decades.

Hey PenguinKeeper, these are absolutely valid concerns and queries. Beta-testers are only compensated through in-game accessories, as financial compensation tends to skew feedback. Additionally, what we've found is the vast majority of prospective users are willing to help test out the game, simply because they're as passionate as we are about creating a new virtual pet experience! For the most part, we are adopting a freemium model, whereby MetaPals is free-of-charge for the first few weeks, and if you end up like it, you can adopt a pet and purchase pet food (or earn it though competitions, immersive ads etc.) going forward. But it is definitely possible to adopt and maintain a pet in a completely free manner. As for the security issues, we take this very seriously...we're aware of the not-so-great examples of some predecessors (*cough* Bonzi Buddy). and aware that especially when dealing with blockchain integrated services, targeted hacks are in the playing field. Hence, alongside abiding by google chromestores stringent guidelines, we're going above and beyond to be transparent as to what data we collect from users, and make it entirely an opt IN feature. Would love to hear your thoughts!

I tried it and it made my computer screen glitch.

Interesting considering we haven't given out any version of the extension out yet...perhaps you're thinking of a different game?

 

[Penguin-keeper]

Hey PenguinKeeper, these are absolutely valid concerns and queries. Beta-testers are only compensated through in-game accessories, as financial compensation tends to skew feedback. Additionally, what we've found is the vast majority of prospective users are willing to help test out the game, simply because they're as passionate as we are about creating a new virtual pet experience! For the most part, we are adopting a freemium model, whereby MetaPals is free-of-charge for the first few weeks, and if you end up like it, you can adopt a pet and purchase pet food (or earn it though competitions, immersive ads etc.) going forward. But it is definitely possible to adopt and maintain a pet in a completely free manner. As for the security issues, we take this very seriously...we're aware of the not-so-great examples of some predecessors (*cough* Bonzi Buddy). and aware that especially when dealing with blockchain integrated services, targeted hacks are in the playing field. Hence, alongside abiding by google chromestores stringent guidelines, we're going above and beyond to be transparent as to what data we collect from users, and make it entirely an opt IN feature. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Thankyou - you've told me what I need to know. I would certainly like to see your answers to the concerns raised by other members, above, though - NFTs and blockchain stuff don't tend to go down well around here, after all, since our userbase is well-educated on what that "sector" is associated with and are rightly cautious.

I do have one more question, myself: Just what does the phrase "Bridging the gap between web 2.0 and 3.0" mean, exactly?

 

[aqua husky]

Hey PenguinKeeper, these are absolutely valid concerns and queries. Beta-testers are only compensated through in-game accessories, as financial compensation tends to skew feedback. Additionally, what we've found is the vast majority of prospective users are willing to help test out the game, simply because they're as passionate as we are about creating a new virtual pet experience! For the most part, we are adopting a freemium model, whereby MetaPals is free-of-charge for the first few weeks, and if you end up like it, you can adopt a pet and purchase pet food (or earn it though competitions, immersive ads etc.) going forward. But it is definitely possible to adopt and maintain a pet in a completely free manner. As for the security issues, we take this very seriously...we're aware of the not-so-great examples of some predecessors (*cough* Bonzi Buddy). and aware that especially when dealing with blockchain integrated services, targeted hacks are in the playing field. Hence, alongside abiding by google chromestores stringent guidelines, we're going above and beyond to be transparent as to what data we collect from users, and make it entirely an opt IN feature. Would love to hear your thoughts!


Interesting considering we haven't given out any version of the extension out yet...perhaps you're thinking of a different game?

No, I was planning Meta pals. It started when I was going to put accessories on my puppy.

 

[Maskutchi]

This reminds me of eSheep.

 

[KuchipatchiPod]

There are a couple of us interested in web3 stuff (and by couple, I mean a literal 2 of us), but you'll find you get mostly backlash here, as is common in most communities TBH. Either way I'm curious about how your project plays out.

 

[Maxxmoon]

Thankyou - you've told me what I need to know. I would certainly like to see your answers to the concerns raised by other members, above, though - NFTs and blockchain stuff don't tend to go down well around here, after all, since our userbase is well-educated on what that "sector" is associated with and are rightly cautious.

I do have one more question, myself: Just what does the phrase "Bridging the gap between web 2.0 and 3.0" mean, exactly?

Yep, which is why we try to avoid mentioning anything related to the NFT / Blockchain aspect of it. I'm very much not a fan of the current NFT space, and the 'cash-grab' blockchain projects out there. We adopt NFT technology in the background entirely for its functional purpose, which is why most of our materials don't really advertise it. Projects shouldn't need to promote the fact that they use NFT's or blockchain to gain attraction...it should be something underlying that improves the overall user experience first and foremost. In reference to 'bridging the gap between 2.0 and 3.0', we realised through rigorous interviewing and surveying, that people that love virtual / pets, also have a very high interest in learning more about blockchain. So we thought, why not combine the two, and have your pet slowly introduce you to these new concepts of blockchain and the metaverse in a fun and non-intrusive way!

No, I was planning Meta pals. It started when I was going to put accessories on my puppy.

Ahh I see, you were going through our website! The actual 'game' isn't out yet, the website is just a taster of what's to come. I'll have my devs look into the website accessory issue, we went for something different for our website, and it may have been overly ambitious, but I hope it captures and conveys the essence of what we're trying to create!

There are a couple of us interested in web3 stuff (and by couple, I mean a literal 2 of us), but you'll find you get mostly backlash here, as is common in most communities TBH. Either way I'm curious about how your project plays out.

Yep, we're definitely choosing the hard route when it comes to customer adoption. We almost entirely focus on non-crypto users, as the current 'crypto bro's' aren't exactly our target demographic...nor is it something we want in our community! Hence, it's important for us to hear from those that aren't in the space, to gather feedback on how we can create something that is more welcoming of the broader population, and overcomes most of the negative stigma derived from crypto/NFT projects. All feedback is welcome!

 

[Nazotchi25]

Web 3.0 is mostly an arbitrary term (at least how I interpret it)
geeksforgeeks.org defines each "version" as follow: (long read)

Spoiler

1.0:
Web 1.0 refers to the first stage of the World Wide Web evolution. Earlier, there were only a few content creators in Web 1.0 with a huge majority of users who are consumers of content. Personal web pages were common, consisting mainly of static pages hosted on ISP-run web servers, or free web hosting services.


In Web 1.0 advertisements on websites while surfing the internet are banned. Also, in Web 1.0, Ofoto is an online digital photography website, on which users could store, share, view, and print digital pictures. Web 1.0 is a content delivery network (CDN) that enables the showcase of the piece of information on the websites. It can be used as a personal website. It costs the user as per pages viewed. It has directories that enable users to retrieve a particular piece of information. The era of Web 1.0 was roughly from 1991 to 2004.

Four Design Essentials of a Web 1.0 Site Include:

1. Static pages.
2. Content is served from the server’s file system.
3. Pages built using Server Side Includes or Common Gateway Interface (CGI).
4. Frames and Tables are used to position and align the elements on a page.

2.0:
2004 When the word Web 2.0 become famous due to the First Web 2.0 conference (later known as the Web 2.0 summit) held by Tim O’Reilly and Dale Dougherty, the term was coined by Darcy DiNucci in 1999. Web 2.0 refers to worldwide websites which highlight user-generated content, usability, and interoperability for end users. Web 2.0 is also called the participative social web. It does not refer to a modification to any technical specification, but to modify the way Web pages are designed and used. The transition is beneficial but it does not seem that when the changes occur. Interaction and collaboration with each other are allowed by Web 2.0 in a social media dialogue as the creator of user-generated content in a virtual community. Web 2.0 is an enhanced version of Web 1.0.

The web browser technologies are used in Web 2.0 development and it includes AJAX and JavaScript frameworks. Recently, AJAX and JavaScript frameworks have become a very popular means of creating web 2.0 sites.

Five Major Features of Web 2.0:

1. Free sorting of information, permits users to retrieve and classify the information collectively.
2. Dynamic content that is responsive to user input.
3. Information flows between the site owner and site users using evaluation & online commenting.
4. Developed APIs to allow self-usage, such as by a software application.
5. Web access leads to concerns different, from the traditional Internet user base to a wider variety of users.

Usage of Web 2.0 –

The social Web contains several online tools and platforms where people share their perspectives, opinions, thoughts, and experiences. Web 2.0 applications tend to interact much more with the end-user. As such, the end-user is not only a user of the application but also a participant in these 8 tools mentioned below:

1. Podcasting
2. Blogging
3. Tagging
4. Curating with RSS
5. Social bookmarking
6. Social networking
7. Social media
8. Web content voting

3.0:
It refers to the evolution of web utilization and interaction which includes altering the Web into a database, with the integration of DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology blockchain is an example) and that data can help to make Smart Contracts based on the needs of the individual. It enables the up-gradation of the back-end of the web, after a long time of focusing on the front-end (Web 2.0 has mainly been about AJAX, tagging, and other front-end user-experience innovation). Web 3.0 is a term that is used to describe many evolutions of web usage and interaction among several paths. In this, data isn’t owned but instead shared but still be, where services show different views for the same web / the same data.

The Semantic Web (3.0) promises to establish “the world’s information” in a more reasonable way than Google can ever attain with its existing engine schema. This is particularly true from the perspective of machine conception as opposed to human understanding. The Semantic Web necessitates the use of a declarative ontological language like OWL to produce domain-specific ontologies that machines can use to reason about information and make new conclusions, not simply match keywords.

Main features That can Help us Define Web 3.0:

1. Semantic Web
   The succeeding evolution of the Web involves the Semantic Web. The semantic web improves web technologies in demand to create, share and connect content through search and analysis based on the capability to comprehend the meaning of words, rather than on keywords or numbers.
2. Artificial Intelligence
   Combining this capability with natural language processing, in Web 3.0, computers can distinguish information like humans to provide faster and more relevant results. They become more intelligent to fulfill the requirements of users.
3. 3D Graphics
   The three-dimensional design is being used widely in websites and services in Web 3.0. Museum guides, computer games, e-commerce, geospatial contexts, etc. are all examples that use 3D graphics.
4. Connectivity
   With Web 3.0, information is more connected thanks to semantic metadata. As a result, the user experience evolves to another level of connectivity that leverages all the available information.
5. Ubiquity
   Content is accessible by multiple applications, every device is connected to the web, and the services can be used everywhere.
6. DLT and Smart Contracts
   With the help of DLT, we can have a virtually impossible to hack database from which one can have value to their content and things they can own virtually, this is the technology that enables a trustless society by the integration of smart contracts which does not need to have a middle man to be a guarantor to make that contract occur on certain cause its based on data from that DLT. It’s a powerful tool that can make the world a far better place and generate more opportunities for everyone on the internet.

Source

It mostly just "defines" the technology used on the web in different eras. 3.0 is mostly a business buzzword from social media giants. There is no actual "versions" of the web per se, just the technology and protocols it uses as a standard.

 

[KuchipatchiPod]

I've signed up to be an early adopter. Interesting to try this out. Does that mean I'm in the beta or do I need to do something else?

 

[Penguin-keeper]

Yep, which is why we try to avoid mentioning anything related to the NFT / Blockchain aspect of it. I'm very much not a fan of the current NFT space, and the 'cash-grab' blockchain projects out there. We adopt NFT technology in the background entirely for its functional purpose, which is why most of our materials don't really advertise it. Projects shouldn't need to promote the fact that they use NFT's or blockchain to gain attraction...it should be something underlying that improves the overall user experience first and foremost. In reference to 'bridging the gap between 2.0 and 3.0', we realised through rigorous interviewing and surveying, that people that love virtual / pets, also have a very high interest in learning more about blockchain. So we thought, why not combine the two, and have your pet slowly introduce you to these new concepts of blockchain and the metaverse in a fun and non-intrusive way!

I'm truly sorry, but these things are just buzzwords being applied to long-extant concepts - they sound like they're there for the sake of investors. Moreover, the NFT/blockchain stuff is mentioned on your website quite clearly - it doesn't appear that it's being avoided.

This actually raises another question for me: NFTs and blockchain technology are still solutions looking for a problem and are currently not being applied to anything legitimate that I'm aware of (please correct me if I'm wrong, of course!), and your product appears to be quite a lot like 1995's Dogz but applied to a web-browser, so why does this need any of that technology at all?

 

[Maxxmoon]

I've signed up to be an early adopter. Interesting to try this out. Does that mean I'm in the beta or do I need to do something else?

Amazing! For now, we'll be going through 'batches' of beta testers to gather feedback on particular features, so you may or may not be selected for those. Otherwise, we have a new referral program about to be kickstarted that gets you in-game accessories and other goodies if you refer your friends

I'm truly sorry, but these things are just buzzwords being applied to long-extant concepts - they sound like they're there for the sake of investors. Moreover, the NFT/blockchain stuff is mentioned on your website quite clearly - it doesn't appear that it's being avoided.

This actually raises another question for me: NFTs and blockchain technology are still solutions looking for a problem and are currently not being applied to anything legitimate that I'm aware of (please correct me if I'm wrong, of course!), and your product appears to be quite a lot like 1995's Dogz but applied to a web-browser, so why does this need any of that technology at all?

Hey Penguin-Keeper! Hmm, which buzzwords are you referring to? At one point, the 'internet' was a considered a buzzword. There's a difference between those that are trying to actually apply this new technology in new ways, and others that are just taking advantage of the hype that comes with it. As for the website, yes, we do have to mention it, since we're using blockchain / NFT tech! We're not trying to hide it, but we also aren't trying to use it to promote our game. It's still important that people are aware that we use such underlying systems for transparency, but the goal is to integrate it such that in the background, it improves the user experience overall, instead of it just being used for the sake of it! We have several reasons why we use NFT's in particular, but the main one would be this idea of 'interoperability'. I love Tamagotchi's, I used to dangle 5 of them on my lanyard wherever I went, but the problem was, my pets were reserved to that device, and that device alone. If you forget about all this blockchain and NFT stuff, it comes down to the fact that we hope your MetaPal pet can be taken anywhere, whether that's your computer, mobile, VR, other games or metaverses. The whole idea is to create a pet that you can take anywhere virtually, boundless in device or platform. Our strongest inspiration is our real-life pets, which you can take anywhere, the dog park, overseas, etc. And so we want to emulate that level of immersion through this idea of interoperability. It's a bit of a farfetched idea now, but as the web becomes more and more connected, having a pet that can traverse all that the 'metaverse' and beyond has to offer (I think) is an important aspect of living your double life online! The metaverse is still a long way away, but to me, that just gives us more time to perfect creating a companion that serves as a guide to what this new world will one day offer. This all started from a masters report I wrote on the Tamagotchi, and I truly believe the best way to capture the essence of what Tamagotchi gave me as a child, is to introduce it not through things like the Pix or rehashed versions of the nostalgic device, but to evolve it into something which the next generation resonates best with. My team and I look forward to realising what i'm trying to articulate here, in the years to come!

 

[Penguin-keeper]

Hey Penguin-Keeper! Hmm, which buzzwords are you referring to?

"Metaverse", "blockchain", "NFT", "Bridging the gap between web 2.0 and web 3.0", and probably plenty more that I've missed.

At one point, the 'internet' was a considered a buzzword.

No, it wasn't.

There's a difference between those that are trying to actually apply this new technology in new ways, and others that are just taking advantage of the hype that comes with it. As for the website, yes, we do have to mention it, since we're using blockchain / NFT tech! We're not trying to hide it, but we also aren't trying to use it to promote our game. It's still important that people are aware that we use such underlying systems for transparency, but the goal is to integrate it such that in the background, it improves the user experience overall, instead of it just being used for the sake of it! We have several reasons why we use NFT's in particular, but the main one would be this idea of 'interoperability'. I love Tamagotchi's, I used to dangle 5 of them on my lanyard wherever I went, but the problem was, my pets were reserved to that device, and that device alone. If you forget about all this blockchain and NFT stuff, it comes down to the fact that we hope your MetaPal pet can be taken anywhere, whether that's your computer, mobile, VR, other games or metaverses. The whole idea is to create a pet that you can take anywhere virtually, boundless in device or platform. Our strongest inspiration is our real-life pets, which you can take anywhere, the dog park, overseas, etc. And so we want to emulate that level of immersion through this idea of interoperability. It's a bit of a farfetched idea now, but as the web becomes more and more connected, having a pet that can traverse all that the 'metaverse' and beyond has to offer (I think) is an important aspect of living your double life online! The metaverse is still a long way away, but to me, that just gives us more time to perfect creating a companion that serves as a guide to what this new world will one day offer. This all started from a masters report I wrote on the Tamagotchi, and I truly believe the best way to capture the essence of what Tamagotchi gave me as a child, is to introduce it not through things like the Pix or rehashed versions of the nostalgic device, but to evolve it into something which the next generation resonates best with. My team and I look forward to realising what i'm trying to articulate here, in the years to come!

This doesn't answer my question, but that's ok - it actually tells me everything that I need to know. Thankyou for your time and that of your partner.