Monday, October 30, 2017

My Den is Unlocked! :)


From now on, I'll be decorating and unlocking my den during certain parts of AJ "holidays".

Check out my den, if you want! I have a couple semi-spooky masterpieces you can look at. :3

Happy Night of the Phantoms!!!

~DoomyPanda

Saturday, October 28, 2017

The Trials of Zios + Wolf Heartstone?

Hey Jammers! Wow... it's been a while since I've posted. Don't get me wrong, I check AJ every day for things worth posting about but I never... seem... to remember to post them. XD

So, here my friends. A little compendium of cool stuff!


First up, The Trials of Zios. In this unusually wonderful adventure, you will learn and be measured by the virtues of a true adventurer: wisdom, patience, wit, and fortitude through six trials.

These trials do not come with a hard mode, but if you wanna feel EXTRA ACCOMPLISHED when you finish them you can make the game harder for yourself by restarting the adventure every time the phantoms put you in a deep sleep. Okay, I know that's weird, but sometimes a challenge is fun!

The above screenshot is from the patience trial where you move troughs like in Overflow to direct water from the adorable water source towards a well so you can water every sunflower in the garden.

Something I thought of later: maybe all the plants were sunflowers because Zios' mask symbolizes the sun... XD

This adventure is a sweet and simple one reminiscent of Return of the Phantoms, or Liza's base camp training. Maybe a combination of both of those along with a dash of Meet Cosmo. 

It does not require much explanation and elaboration, but I will take the liberty of telling you which treasure chests hold which rewards:



These are all in order of their placement in the treasure chests. If you wanna go back and get a specific one, you can write something like "scrolls top center" on a piece of scrap paper to remind you. :)

In other news, have you looked around the scrolls of The Forgotten Archives Lately? Because something new and unrelated to the Trials has arisen:


Every update or so, a new scroll in the shelves above the Zios altar is revealed. This time, we get something never before seen: an image of a Heartstone! The wolf Heartstone, that is. What else could that golden jewel be?


Additionally, is it a coincidence that the jewels Zios tells you to collect during his trials look EXACTLY like the wolf Heartstone??? I cannot see how that would fit together. 

So many mysteries, so little time...

Before I go, I just wanted to let you know something quick:


I'm decorating my den for Halloween, and I've decided that once it's done I'll unlock it so you guys can come "Trick or Treat"! Hehe :)

I'll make a post to tell y'all when it's ready. ^-^

See you in Jamaa!!!!

~DoomyPanda

Monday, October 16, 2017

Club Geoz Revival Confirmed?

Art credit to lilyblueartkitty on Instagram

AJHQ picked out of many art entries for their contest "#RIPClubGeoz", so is it a coincidence they picked this one?

Along with all the reasons to have Club Geoz around, I don't think they'd wanna spread misinformation and get Jammers' hopes up, so... could this be a little happy sign that good things are to come?

What do you guys think?

~ DoomyPanda

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Myths About Beta Testing

Hey Jammers! I promised a post like this about a MILLION years ago, but completely forgot about it.

But now, after all that wait, it is here... Myths about beta testing.

In Animal Jam, you typically hear about beta testing minus the "testing" part. People consider some items "beta", and you'll hear many players, old and new, reminisce about the "beta days". 

But what exactly is beta testing? By the title of this post, you've probably already judged that there are some things about beta that a lot of people-- maybe even you --have gotten wrong.

With that in mind, let us begin! ^0^


Myth #1: Beta always looks the same.



A couple of years ago, WildWorks began to release the mobile version of Animal Jam that we all know today as Play Wild, or AJPW. At its beginning, AJHQ advertised it as PlayWild Beta, inviting a small number of Jammers to test it out.

Many Jammers saw the word "Beta" and instantly went into fits of hysteria trying to get invitation codes, thinking that this game would be a revival of "the beta days", with the older land designs, dens, items, and the overall "beta" aesthetic. 




Y'all know what I'm talking about.

Sadly, many of these Jammers were disappointed that PlayWild Beta was just a 3D version of "modern" AJ. A few of these Jammers felt lied to.



But no one was lied to. Why? Because the term "beta" is not simply used by Animal Jam, it's used by every game. Beta is not an aesthetic, but the word for the early developmental phase each game goes through where select players are allowed to play it to report bugs and give feedback.

For a more specific definition:



So there you have it. Beta testing!


Myth #2: Any item that's a bit old/in high demand can be considered Beta


I don't trade often, for a variety of reasons. One reason being is that I always get into so many arguments about what items are beta or not. I remember one time this seal was utterly convinced that Sunglasses were a beta item, and I could not at all explain to them otherwise. -_-

However, I don't hold it against them. I can understand where so much confusion comes from– a combination of The Forgotten Desert giving out beta items as prizes, and simply the fact that there have been more and more years since beta testing, blurring the definitions of what is beta.

Simply put, a real beta item is an item that was most recently released between July 17th, 2010 and September 9th, 2010

That short period of time, barely 2 months, was the period when Animal Jam was in beta testing. Because that span of time was so short, added to the fact that so many items from that time have lost their beta status because of rerelease or The Forgotten Desert, very few "true betas" remain.

(If you're wondering about that "Trading Post" page I added awhile ago, once I get around to updating it I plan to have a list of ALL true beta items in there.)

What gets tricky, however, is whether an item last released in early 2011 counts as beta. It is practically impossible to know the exact date an item went on clearance. Additionally, even if you do find out the date and it wasn't technically from beta, the person you're trading with might disagree with you because its demand is so high. 

How can age and demand factor in to make a fair trade? Is a perfectly fair trade even possible? Stay tuned, because once I update the Trading Post page, that question might just be answered. 0-0

Myth #3: Crystal Sands was remodeled immediately following beta testing


Contrary to popular belief, Crystal Sands' original design did not change to its current one after the last day of beta. In fact, about a year passed by before the waterslides were added on July 7th, 2011!

And even after then, it was a whole other year until Tierney Thys set up her aquarium in 2012. 


Once the aquarium was set up, a bridge of stone became accessible and the Pet Wash was moved up there. 

Ah... I remember that day. I always have mixed feelings about change, but now I really love Tierney's Aquarium! ^-^

Myth #4: EVERYTHING was different in beta testing


The above video was published midway through beta testing, and as you can see, Jam Mart Clothing looks exactly the same today! Not to mention the player bar (although the color has changed) and most of the top-bar settings.

I think a lot of what gives AJ its charm is that they rarely renovate rooms unnecessarily. Because of their interactions with the community, I think AJHQ pretty much understands what we want to keep on AJ.

Well, that's all the myths about beta testing I can think of today. If you know one that I didn't mention, feel free to comment! :D

And in the spirit of things past, I found an old Animal Jam blog from 2011:


Did you know that the Conservation Museum used to be called the Animal Museum? That changed after the first time an animal (monkey) traveled (then called "Endangered"), around mid-2012. Since then, the statues in the center of the museum were replaced by a coloring table. Fun fact: the crocodile statue was never completed.

They have not posted since early 2012 (the time I joined), but their website serves as a nice archive. Check it out: http://animaljamhq.com/?p=420

Were you around during beta? What's something you want to come back?

Comment!

Thursday, October 12, 2017

SADNESS (and Hope?)

Hello, friends. I hope you all are prepared for a tidal wave of unbridled drama. :)

So, let's start at the beginning.



WHY, AJHQ????? 

WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TO US????

THE PHANTOMS DIDN'T HAVE TO STRIKE CLUB GEOZ, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO COME OUT AND JUST SAY "whoop dee doo, Geoz is gone 4 good!!!!! Time for Diamond Shop 2: the sequel :)"

IF THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, AND THE PHANTOMS WILL LEVEL EVERY SINGLE BUILDING IN THE TOWNSHIP, WILL THIS JUST BE AN ANNOYING EXCUSE TO RENOVATE EVERYTHING PAST RECOGNITION? WILL THERE BE NOTHING BUT DIAMOND SHOP CLONES SOON? 

IF YOU'RE PLANNING THAT, STOP! IT'S SO UNCALLED FOR. RENOVATION OF OLDER ROOMS JUST DRIVES PEOPLE AWAY



MY FRIEND MEEK TINYMOON LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY AGREES WITH ME, YOU JUST CAN'T SEE IT IN THIS SCREENSHOT. (:

AND ALRIGHT, I ADMIT IT, THAT SECRET ITEM YOU GET BY CLICKING THE MUSIC NOTE BANNER IS PRETTY NICE AND I WANT TO WEAR IT FOREVER. BUT WHEN FUTURE JAMMERS RARE-IFY THESE DUMB HATS AND TRADE THEIR KIDNEYS FOR THEM WILL THEY EVEN KNOW WHAT 'CLUB GEOZ' IS???? WILL THEY???? HUH???


One word, AJHQ:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

....


....


*ahem*

I'm okay now.

So, friends, what do we know?

1. AJHQ probably knew that a lot of Jammers would be upset. Especially the ones who love and defend underrated rooms.

2. The Jamaa Journal claims that Club Geoz is "closing its doors for good". Again, that was probably to make people freak out. Like I did.

3. Aside from the Pillow Room/Medical Center shift, no room has ever just been removed from Jamaa. Club Geoz, while old, is very different from the beta medical center. During beta, no one ever went in the Medical Center. Club Geoz has always been a fun place, it just became a little less popular since the Diamond Shop crowded it out. 

4. Still, according to the party AJHQ started in their Sneak Peek video, and the fact that they felt the need to give us a uncharacteristically awesome nonmember item as a consolation, they are well aware that a lot of people still LOVE Club Geoz.

5. A few years ago, AJHQ said that Club Geoz would be remodeled. The remodels were abandoned. Maybe that's relevant.

From all this evidence, it seems that there is a strong chance that Club Geoz will NOT be entirely replaced, despite what the Jamaa Journal claims. 

And the fact that they called the consolation item "Club Geoz Hat and Headphones" seems like the name "Club Geoz" isn't going away. 

So, what's the most likely outcome of this?

This whole thing might have been partially intended to get everyone interested in Club Geoz again. And perhaps give them a feeling of actual anger toward the phantoms as conflicts build.

Club Geoz will most likely get remodeled. I hope it comes back the same way it was, but it probably won't. :(



Honestly, even though it might not seem very flashy to a lot of people, I always liked Club Geoz's "dustiness". It seems appropriate– AJ isn't a glitzy game with too many bright lights, it's a natural game. Club Geoz seems very unique and important in its earthiness. 

Its dustiness is honestly my favorite thing about Club Geoz, as well as any room on AJ. It also is probably what makes beta items so appealing to many people: an earthy dustiness, as if each thing from beta is ancient. That's the AJ aesthetic.

Well, maybe this will turn out okay in the end. It seems like AJHQ is slowly building up a feeling of serious-ness with the phantoms that does not stay strictly in adventures. It's in Jamaa now. Maybe they want us to focus on that rather than the more light-hearted aspects of Jamaa, like silly parties.

Maybe when all of this is over, Club Geoz will reopen and we'll have a huge dance party. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

See you in Jamaa!

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Adventures in Aldan

Meanwhile, at Animal Jam court...

AJHQ: Step forward, Apprentice.

Apprentice Courageouselephant: *steps forward*

AJHQ: Do you know why you are being banned, Apprentice?

Apprentice Courageouselephant: ...

AJHQ: While you have been a good Jammer, a courageous elephant, for most of your time in Jamaa, it was scamming that finally did you in to the moderators, correct? 

Apprentice Courageouselephant: ...Yes, AJHQ.

AJHQ: And what is the punishment for scamming, Apprentice?

Apprentice Courageouselephant: Permanent banning, AJHQ.

AJHQ: No longer will you terrorize the land of Jamaa. Any last words before you explode?

Apprentice Courageouselephant:


Narrator: And with one last futile cry into oblivion, Apprentice Courageouselephant exploded, never to be seen again. THE END.

Do you ever go into Jamaa on a crowded server, to trade and whatnot?

Do you ever wonder how you understand what people are saying?




Just imagine being a new player... you spawn into the Township, excited to start your adventure, but no more than a minute in you are suffocated by chat bubbles screeching "ORNG SHORT RED LONG BETA BETA BETA JAG" 

You don't know what 'beta' means, or what a 'long' or 'short' is, and you have no clue why Major Majormajor is demanding you 'jag' them.

Your mouse hovers by the log-out button, and you click, never to return to this terrible place again...



...But no matter how hard you push them out of your head, their words will forever haunt you...

~DoomyPanda

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Glitchy Sarepia + Future Secret Passageway?

Heyyo Jammers, happy first day of October AKA the first day of Halloween! 

So today I was walking around the Forgotten Archives, wondering about Zios, when I had a thought. All this interesting lore is amazing, but it's only a portion of what makes AJ so cool for me. Another area of AJ that has been neglected and underrated is the learn-about-nature section. 


The thing about that part of AJ is that there IS a ton of cool stuff about nature all throughout Jamaa, but it just isn't emphasized as much by AJHQ as "NEW SPIKE WILD WEEKEND!!!1!" or "NEW den/pet/item/promo!!!" 

Honestly, AJHQ could create a lot of positive change just by changing the order of the Jamaa Journal pages. Put the new Conservation Museum exhibit on the front page, and push the "wild weekend" notice back a page or two. It sounds reasonable to me– an entire room changing its content seems a bit more interesting than a few new items, right? Items come out every day.

In addition to that, keeping the lore news (lines of power, lore hints, etc.) around the back of each issue of the Jamaa Journal will be more exciting to find and read, encouraging Jammers to read the whole issue. I dunno, it just seems annoying that the "biggest" news is on the first couple pages and it gets less and less interesting with each page turn. 

Even if you couldn't give a HOOT (haha owl joke) about educational nature stuff, just keep in mind that Animal Jam is technically classified as an educational fantasy MMO– not just a spiked collar simulator. It should just make this TINY lil effort to keep with its name.

So anyway, I decided to go to Sarepia Theater to watch the Bat Eared Fox video, but then–


NO, SAREPIA THEATER, THE PHANTOMS GOT YOU TOO!?!!?!!!

This glitchiness has got to CEASE. Just walking into Jamaa Township this morning one of those dang Night of the Phantoms coffin decorations was teleporting across the ground and no one seemed to care. ō_ō

Did the introduction of The Forgotten Archive really mess everything up? It seems that glitchy things have been happening way more frequently ever since it was unlocked.

Speaking of the Forgotten Archive...


Doesn't this look like a potential secret passageway to you?

I bet we'll hear about this sometime soon...

Until next time, see you in Jamaa! :D