Petz

  1. Home
  2. Wiki
For other uses, see Petz (disambiguation).
Petz
Genre(s)Virtual pets
Developer(s)Various
Publisher(s)PF.Magic, Mindscape, Ubisoft
First releaseDogz and Catz
November 1, 1995[1][2]
Latest releasePetz Beach
Petz Countryside
October 14, 2014

Petz is a series of single-player video games dating back to 1995, in which the player can adopt, raise, care for and breed their own virtual pets. Developed by PF.Magic, original Petz (Dogz and Catz) has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.[3] The series has grown to over 22 million copies as of 2011 since coming under Ubisoft.[4]

Development

[edit]

The original Petz games — Dogz: Your Computer Pet and Catz: Your Computer Pet—were developed by PF.Magic, released in 1995 and 1996 respectively. They reused the graphics engine used Ballz. Rob Fulop conceived of Dogz, following the controversy surrounding his previous title Night Trap, which resulted in him wanting to make a game that was "so cute and so adorable that no could ever, ever say it was bad for kids". He claims to have consulted a shopping mall Santa Claus about what children wanted, and was informed that puppies were the most popular request every year.[5][6]

Following the success the company, instead of continuing to branch out into other household pets, developed Oddballz, focused on Chimeraic and mutatable creatures.[7] This would release along with sequels to the Dogz and Catz.[6]

In 1997, PF.Magic was acquired by The Learning Company's Mindscape division for $15.8 million in 1998.[8] In 2001, Ubi Soft (Ubisoft, since 2003) acquired the entertainment division of The Learning Company, granting Ubisoft exclusive publishing rights to 88 titles, including Dogz and Catz.[6][9]

Ubisoft would publish Catz 5 and Dogz 5, in 2002, as the last games following the original style, before putting franchise on hold for three years. After releasing Dogz and Catz for the Game Boy Advance in 2005 and 2006, Ubisoft announced their intention for a "revitalisation" of the series, in direct response to the success of Nintendo's Nintendogs.[10] Ubisoft would continue releasing entries until 2014.[6] Many of the successive games were localised games from Japan or Europe in origin and were simply rebranded with the Petz name.[citation needed]

Animals

[edit]

The initial games were limited to dogz and catz, but additional animals were also introduced. These animals include Pigz,[11] Bunnyz,[12] Monkeyz,[13] Dolphinz,[14] and Hamsterz,[15] some of which received their own games.

Users learned how to reverse-engineer the system, and began producing additional breedz, toyz, playscenes, clothes, and developer tools for the games, as permitted by PF.Magic, Mindscape, and Ubisoft.[16]

Games

[edit]
Game Developer Publisher Release date Platform Ref(s)
Catz and Dogz: Your Virtual Petz PF.Magic PF.Magic, Virgin Interactive Entertainment
  • 1995 (Dogz; PC)
  • 1996 (Catz; PC)
  • 1999 (GBC)
Oddballz: Your Wacky Computer Petz PF.Magic PF.Magic, Virgin Interactive Entertainment 1996 PC
Catz and Dogz II: Your Virtual Petz PF.Magic PF.Magic, Mindscape 1997 PC [17][18]
Catz and Dogz 3: Your Virtual Petz PF.Magic PF.Magic, Mindscape 1998 PC [19]
Catz and Dogz 4 PF.Magic Mindscape Entertainment 1999 PC [20]
Catz and Dogz 5 Studio Mythos Ubi Soft 2002 PC [21]
Dogz[i] MTO, Backbone Entertainment Ubisoft
  • 2005 (GBA)
  • 2006 (DS)
[22][23]
Catz ImaginEngine, Powerhead Games Ubisoft 2006
  • PC
  • Nintendo DS
 [24]
Hamsterz Life[ii] Digital Kids [Wikidata] Ubisoft 2006 Nintendo DS [15]
Horsez[iii] Lexis Numérique [fr] Ubisoft 2006
[25][26]
Petz: Dogz 2 and Catz 2 Digital Kids Ubisoft 2007
  • PC
  • Nintendo DS
  • PlayStation 2
  • Wii
 [27][28][29]
Petz: Horsez 2[iii] Phoenix Studio Ubisoft 2007
  • PC
  • Nintendo DS
  • PlayStation 2
  • Wii
 [30]
Petz Vet[iv] Sensory Sweep Ubisoft 2007 Game Boy Advance [31]
Petz: Wild Animals: Dolphinz Magic Pockets Ubisoft 2007 DS [14]
Tigerz Magic Pockets Ubisoft 2008 Nintendo DS [32]
Petz: Bunnyz Digital Kids Ubisoft 2008 Nintendo DS [12]
Petz: Monkeyz House Ubisoft 2008 Nintendo DS [33]
Petz: Horse Club Ubisoft 2008 Wii, PC [34]
Petz Rescue: Ocean Patrol Magic Pockets Ubisoft 2008 DS [35]
Petz Rescue: Wildlife Vet Ubisoft 2008
  • Wii
  • DS
 [36]
Petz Rescue: Endangered Paradise Ubisoft 2008 DS [37]
Petz Sports: Dog Playground Ubisoft Montreal Ubisoft 2008
  • Wii
  • Mac OS
  • Microsoft Windows
 [38]
Dogz Gameloft 2008 N-Gage 2.0 [39]
Petz: Dogz Pack Ubisoft Ubisoft 2008 DS
Petz: Dogz Fashion Ubisoft 2008 DS [40]
Petz: Catz Clan Ubisoft 2008 DS [41]
Petz: Crazy Monkeyz Y'sK Ubisoft 2009 Wii [13]
Petz Fashion: Dogz and Catz Powerhead Games Ubisoft 2009 DS
Petz: My Baby Panda Ubisoft Ubisoft 2009 DS
Petz: Hamsterz Superstarz Ubisoft 2009 DS
Petz: Hamsterz Bunch DK Games Ubisoft 2009 PSP
Petz: Dogz Talent Show Ubisoft 2009 DS
Petz Nursery Ubisoft Ubisoft 2009 DS [42]
Petz Nursery 2 Ubisoft Ubisoft 2010 DS
Petz: Horsez Family Ubisoft Ubisoft 2010 DS
Petz: Catz Playground Ubisoft Ubisoft 2010 DS [43]
Petz: Dogz Family Ubisoft 2010 DSiWare [44]
Petz Fantasy: Moonlight Magic Ubisoft Ubisoft 2010 DS
Petz Fantasy: Sunshine Magic Ubisoft Ubisoft 2010 DS
Petz Fantasy 3D Ubisoft Ubisoft 2011 3DS
Petz: Puppyz & Kittenz Ubisoft Ubisoft 2011 DS
Petz Beach Ubisoft Ubisoft 2014 3DS [45][46]
Petz Countryside Ubisoft 2014 3DS [45][46][47]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Originally published in 2004 as Kawaii Koinu Wonderful (かわいい仔犬 ワンダフル, lit. 'Cute Puppy Wonderful'), in Japan
  2. ^ Original published as Love Love Hamster, in Japan
  3. ^ a b Originally published as multiple different entries in the French Alexandra Ledermann series, depending on platform
  4. ^ Originally published in 2004 as Himawari Doubutsu Byouin (ひまわリどうぶつ病院, lit. 'Sunflower Animal Hospital'), in Japan

Reception

[edit]
Aggregate review scores
As of 24 October 2024.
Game GameRankings Metacritic
Dogz GBC: 49%[48]
Catz GBC: 44%[49]
Dogz GBA: 49%[51]
DS: 66%[52] 		GBA: 48/100[50]
Catz DS: 51%[53]
Hamsterz Life DS: 72%[54]
Horsez DS: 50%[55]
Petz: Horse Club Wii: 58%[56]
Petz Rescue: Ocean Patrol DS: 80%[57]
Petz Rescue: Wildlife Vet Wii: 80%[58]
Petz Sports: Dog Playground Wii: 63%[59]
Petz: Dogz Family DS: 38%[60]

The original software was generally well received, with The Salt Lake Tribune giving 1995's Dogz 4 out of 5 stars,[61] and PC Zone and Entertainment Weekly giving Catz an 8/10 and B+ respectively.[62][63] However, later games were less well received, in particularly compared to other virtual pet experiences that were available, with the 1999 Game Boy Color games negatively compared to Tamagotchi,[64][65] and 2005's Dogz for the Game Boy Advance, being seen as an attempt to ape Nintendogs.[66][67][68][69] By 2007, Joystiq recommended buying games in the series only for "people you hate".[70]

The Petz series is also notable for the online community that grew around it,[71] which game designer Nathalie Lawhead speculates is part of the reason for its success and enduring legacy.[72]

Sales

[edit]

The original Dogz and Catz sold around 200,000, in their first year on the market,[73] and would go on to sell—along with their sequels Catz and Dogz II—1.5 million copies.[3][74] By the time of PF.Magic's purchase by Mindscape, the series had made over $8 million.[8] The series as a whole has now sold more than 24 million copies.[74]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dogz (1995) for PC - GameFAQs". Archived from the original on 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  2. ^ "Catz (1995) for PC - GameFAQs". Archived from the original on 2009-09-04. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  3. ^ a b "Dogz and Catz Dash Past 1.5 Million Mark; PF.Magic's Virtual Petz Brand Established as Leader in Category". The Free Library. 1998-02-19. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
  4. ^ "Ubisoft 2010-11 H1 Earnings Presentation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  5. ^ Donovan, Tristan (2010). Replay: The History of Video Games. Lewes, East Sussex: Yellow Ant. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-9565072-0-4.
  6. ^ a b c d "From the Archives: PF Magic". Retro Gamer. No. 196. 2019. pp. 68–69.
  7. ^ Boxer, Steve (31 December 1996). "Family pet Loses its fur". Connected. The Daily Telegraph. London. p. 14. Retrieved 26 May 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Learning Co. to acquire PF.Magic". Cnet. 1998-05-07. Archived from the original on 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  9. ^ Vogel, Cassie (7 March 2001). "Ubi Soft Acquires The Learning Company's Entertainment Division" (Press release). Archived from the original on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-09-23 – via Game Zone.
  10. ^ Wallis, Alistair (16 November 2006). "Q&A;: Ubisoft's Petz Executive Producer Tony Van". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Dogz 4 – Wayback Petz". Archived from the original on 2024-03-16. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  12. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (8 April 2008). "Petz Bunnyz Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  13. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (20 February 2009). "Petz Crazy Monkeyz Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  14. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (30 October 2007). "Petz Wild Animals: Dolphinz Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  15. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (2007-02-23). "Hamsterz Life Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  16. ^ Hansmeyer, Becky (11 March 2015). "Ballz & Linez: Remembering the Golden Age of Petz Hexing". Becky Hansmeyer. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  17. ^ Scott, Bonnie (26 December 1998). "Before getting real thing, try virtual pet". Business & Personal Technology. Austin American-Statesman. Multi-Media Mon. p. G4. Retrieved 30 May 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Disk-o-tech: Dogz". Section E: Life & Arts. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Baltimore Sun. 18 December 1997. p. 3. Retrieved 30 May 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Rich, Jason R. (25 February 1999). "Bringing Home a Pet". Section 5: Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved 30 May 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Gleichman, Pam (28 June 2000). "Dogz 4 and Catz 4 is a fun program for children". Public Opinion. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. p. 6B. Retrieved 30 May 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Megna, Michelle (5 January 2003). "Pets on Your PC". LifeLine. Daily News. New York. p. 7. Retrieved 30 May 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Helgeson, Matt (February 2006). "Dogz". Game Informer. No. 154. p. 113.
  23. ^ Klepek, Patrick. "Dogz (GBA)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 5 December 2005. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  24. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (6 March 2007). "Catz Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  25. ^ Thomas, Lucas (March 2, 2007). "Horsez Review". IGN. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  26. ^ Lewis, Ed (11 December 2006). "Horsez Review". IGN. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  27. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (11 December 2007). "Petz: Dogz 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  28. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (6 December 2007). "Petz: Catz 2 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 14 December 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  29. ^ Buchanan, Levi (14 February 2008). "Petz Catz 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  30. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (30 November 2007). "Petz: Horsez 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  31. ^ "Petz Vet for Game Boy Advance - GameFAQs". gamefaqs.gamespot.com. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  32. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (6 March 2008). "Petz Wild Animals: Tigerz Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  33. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (5 December 2008). "Petz Monkeyz House Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  34. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (16 January 2009). "Petz Horse Club Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  35. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (20 November 2008). "Petz Rescue: Ocean Patrol Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  36. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (9 January 2009). "Petz Rescue: Wildlife Vet Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  37. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (18 December 2008). "Petz Rescue: Endangered Paradise Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  38. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (7 January 2009). "Petz Sports Review". IGN. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  39. ^ Spencer, Spanner (22 December 2008). "Dogz Review". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  40. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (31 July 2008). "Petz Dogz Fashion Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  41. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (8 January 2009). "Petz Catz Clan Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  42. ^ Sapieha, Chad. "Petz: Nursery Game Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  43. ^ Raby, Mark. "Parents' Guide to Petz Catz Playground". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  44. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (31 August 2010). "Petz Dogz Family Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  45. ^ a b Williams, Katie (28 August 2014). "Petz Beach and Petz Countryside Announced for 3DS". IGN.
  46. ^ a b Lewis, Anne (October 14, 2014). "Petz Beach and Petz Countryside Out Now on 3DS" (Press release). Ubisoft. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  47. ^ "Petz: Countryside". IGN. Archived from the original on 2024-03-16. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  48. ^ "Dogz". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  49. ^ "Catz". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  50. ^ "Dogz Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  51. ^ "Dogz". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  52. ^ "Dogz". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  53. ^ "Catz". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  54. ^ "Hamsterz Life". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  55. ^ "Horsez". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  56. ^ "Petz: Horse Club". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  57. ^ "Petz Rescue: Ocean Patrol". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  58. ^ "Petz Rescue: Wildlife Vet". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  59. ^ "Petz Sports: Dog Playground". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  60. ^ "Petz Sports: Dog Playground". Game Rankings. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  61. ^ McDaniel, Kim (11 March 1996). "Going to the Dogs". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 11.
  62. ^ "Catz". computerandvideogames.com. 13 August 2001. Archived from the original on 4 January 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  63. ^ "Catz: Your Computer Petz". EW.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
  64. ^ Harris, Craig (13 January 2000). "Dogz". IGN. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  65. ^ Harris, Craig (15 January 2000). "Catz". IGN. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  66. ^ "Dogz: Dogz' dinner, more like". Eurogamer. 20 December 2005. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  67. ^ Green, Mark (February 2006). "Dogz: How Much is that doggy? Too much...". NGC Magazine. No. 116. p. 51.
  68. ^ Hollingshead, Anise (6 December 2005). "Dogz". GameZone. Archived from the original on 13 February 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  69. ^ hiro (18 April 2007). "Dogz". Jeuxvideo.com. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  70. ^ Karabinus, Alisha (10 December 2007). "Five games to buy for people you hate". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  71. ^ Famularo, Jessica (18 September 2015). "Lost to Time: Gaming's Forgotten Petz Subculture and the Women Who Shaped It". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  72. ^ Lawhead, Nathalie. "About desktop pets & virtual companions: discussing the inhabitants that fill the void of our digital spaces". The Candybox Blog. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
  73. ^ Jackson, Steve (24 September 1996). "Conjuring up a Touch of Animal Magic". The Daily Telegraph. p. 50. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  74. ^ a b Rochefort, Simone de (31 August 2017). "Petz wouldn't exist without Night Trap". Polygon. Retrieved 27 May 2025.

Further reading

[edit]