psieks

The only way Jumpstart could build interest in Neopets once more is by appealing to the demographic that it was initially meant to appeal to in the beginning: college students. Adam founded the site so that college students could have virtual pets. That's it. The site's appeal initially relied on pop culture reference and humor. One of the original Neopets was literally Sir Bruce Forsyth. I'm putting pictures in the spoiler below. Additionally, there weren't any real features that were intended to make the site money. There were banner ads, but otherwise the site was devoid of anything requiring money. There wasn't a Premium upgrade or NC Mall. In fact, according to the original source Neopets used product placement as a means of earning profits. After the scientologists bought Neopets Inc., anything that wasn't Adam or Donna's intellectual property was removed (hence why Bruce Forsyth became the Bruce we all know today.) Dohring (scientology guy) was the one who used the "immersive advertising" AKA product placement strategy. This is effective for a site like Neopets for two reasons.

1. Product placement is a way for Neopets to make money without annoying banner ads or forcing customers to pay out of pocket for pixels.
2. Companies investing in product placement WANT Neopets to be successful. If Neopets isn't getting as many siteviews as possible, the companies are losing out on valuable views. Neopets becomes an interest for other companies after they've invested.

When Viacom owned the site (starting in 2005,) they had the Slime Park or whatever. They replaced product placement with advertising for their own products. Additionally, they shifted toward the banner ad approach. I guess that's because EVERYONE is paying in a way. The fact that Viacom is a media conglomerate with interests in a younger audience also led to them shifting the site's focus toward their new target demographic. For whatever reason, Viacom also brought about the interface overhaul in 2007 that brought about conversions and customization for the first time. I still find it unnecessary, but I'll stop complaining. This is the economy and saving Neopets by knowing its history and not some bullshit rant about why I wish every pet was unconverted. Anyhow, Viacom shifted the appeal and favor to younger users, which is slightly more challenging due to the fact that Neopets....still has to deal with COPA since it's based in the US.

 

Sponsored games (I fondly remember the How to Eat Fried Worms: Wormsickles game) made Viacom a bucketload of money while other monetization efforts (merchandise ideal for children!) also helped. On-site, banner ads would earn Viacom more money per click since the new target demographic was unlikely to have enough pocket change for product placement for products other than entertainment to be worthwhile. This shift in focus is likely what attracted the current owners, JumpStart.

 

Of course, rumor has it that JS only bought the site because it was more or less on quicksale. Neopets had become a burden to Viacom. JS hopes to promote its own games, but has bought a site that is obsolete regarding its current target audience. Now what are they to do? JS doesn't have much invested interest in adults, but they're the ones who are using computers rather than the restricted (and aforementioned) tablets and smartphones. Now what do they do? Here are a few options regarding how to regain interest:

1. Target adults once more. They have the capital to invest in Premium and NC Mall. Also? MAKE THE TWO WORTH BUYING.
2. Adapt the site for the platforms that their current target audience uses! They can also develop more games for their own products that will also direct attention to the site. It's basically a win in all directions. I guess?
3. I don't know. Who has more ideas?!

 

 

 

There's another thread regarding hard to sell items in general here. Just note that my strategy regarding sales targets mid-tier items worth up to 15M each and I stop restocking once I get to an estimated 20M in one day (or the scheduled 8 hours per account.) Most of the comments regarding "fun" auctions and advertising still apply here, though.

 

Just note that the thread was created prior to the most recent duping glitch People are far more likely to be report happy at the moment simply due to the fact that there was a well known duping glitch within the last week. Personally I'd say stick all items (legit or otherwise) that sell for more than a few million each in the SDB and wait for the drama to blow over. You'll be more likely to sell them without a suspicious user reporting you. For maximum profit I know I avoid selling to resellers, but it's a good way to get rid of things quickly.

 

And as another user noted! Selling certain items on Neocodex's trading forum is very welcome. You can use in-game currency or other payment methods when trading. Just be sure to read the Neocodex Trading Post Guides first to get a bearing of how the area works and what the rules and habits are

Neo is back up. I booted Abrosia and managed to buy something at 9:40 CST. That would be 7:40 NST, btw. Clearly their maintenance didn't take too long.

It's not like much would be lost if Neoboards are removed *shrug*

 

I was actually eight when I joined Neopets and somehow during that time I convinced my parents to fax the Parental Consent wotsit to TNT so that I could get early access to whatever it is instead of the red Pteri with the error sign (at least I think it was red.) Tbh boards weren't that interesting to me, but I hated clicking on things and not being able to look at them when I wanted to XD

 

Also I hated not being able to do certain other actions (Neofriends, mostly. For some reason I think that TP was also restricted? Or at least hard to use since I couldn't Neomail.)

WHO MADE THE JUANQUEEN ACCOUNT.

 
Second poster has no idea how correct he is.
 
Also someone on Facebook got a little too pissed off.