Hey Jammers! Well, it's 2021 now... and I'm assuming that everyone stopped being able to log on directly from the website.
EDIT 1/3/21: For now, you can actually still play AJ Classic through your Chrome browser if you log on with this link: http://animaljam.com/en/welcome Thanks for sharing, Vaiana70!
I actually stopped being able to a lot earlier this month, maybe even at the start of January, but I know at least one Chromebook user who could still log on with the browser method during that time...? It's probably just a browser thing, which is ok.
But what's not ok is that if you try to log into Animal Jam Classic through the browser, you get this pop-up...
...and that pop-up directs you to what appears to be a download button for Animal Jam Classic–
But it sends you to a page where the only option is to download AJ Play Wild. Very misleading.
I told AJHQ about this earlier this month in a Daily Explorer comment, and...
...k then.
I'm not gonna make fun of AJHQ's spelling, because it's clear they were just trying to respond to as many comments as possible, but it's also clear from this comment that they don't see the misleading popup as a mistake. It's just another little way to intentionally steer people away from AJC.
Of course, there is an actual download button in the top right corner of the AJ Classic home page, as well as an actual download button right at the center of the page. It's just that if you miss those and log in as normal, the button the pop-up shows you to download AJC sends you to download AJ Play Wild instead. All of AJHQ's weirdly shady attempts to direct people away from Animal Jam Classic and to Animal Jam (Play Wild) have honestly made me really sad this past year. And from your comments, it seems many of you feel the same.
First was the name switch, which probably hurt everyone the most. It felt like WildWorks was literally trying to replace Animal Jam with AJPW, as if AJPW was somehow the superior version, and all the history of Animal Jam's 10 years just didn't matter to them anymore.
Then it was making AJPW the main focal point of the Animal Jam homepage, and only giving Animal Jam a little button to its separate homepage.
And then, it was all the shady subtle stuff. Taking away the items from the animals on the Animal Jam Classic homepage to make the game look less cool than AJ Play Wild. Making it clear through the updates that AJHQ was putting more effort into AJ Play Wild than Animal Jam. And then, a misleading download button. It's small, but consistent enough with what's come before for me to say that it was intentional.
AJ Play Wild and Animal Jam are both great games in their own way, but they are incredibly different and one cannot replace the other. For me personally, the use of full 3D CGI in AJ Play Wild gives me a headache, and I find it too visually overwhelming. I'd say Animal Jam (Classic) uses 3D graphics tastefully, and they look cute and unique instead of overpowering.
Whatever your opinion, and whichever game is your favorite, I still think we can agree that the experience of playing both is very different between them. It's not as if AJ Play Wild is the "improved" AJ– it's more like they're just two alternate dimensions.
So why has WildWorks been doing all this? Why did the name change happen? Why have they been allocating less resources to AJC than their other games?
Well, they haven't honestly come forward, so we don't know why. Maybe WildWorks realized they stretched their team too thin between all their games, so they had to re-prioritize where to focus their attention, putting Animal Jam (Classic) at the bottom.
That topic probably deserves a post of its own at some point, so I'll leave it there for now.
To continue on about the switch to the download version of AJC...
It's still fairly populated and active in Jamaa, as would be expected. It's not like a ghost town or anything. But still, there are so many Chromebook users who have been forced out because WildWorks has yet to make a Chromebook-compatible download link for Animal Jam Classic.
I totally understand. I mean, AJPW was my first app EVER, and then came AJC, but now I really love AJC. I mean, its so nice and peaceful. Also, some of my friends who play both games can only play PW now, because they cant download the PC Game.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I can still play on Chrome, because I have the link to the "Chrome AJ".
animaljam.com/en/welcome
Thanks for this post, Doomy!
Hugs,
vai
Thanks for sharing that link! I hope it keeps on working-- I'll add it to the post :)
DeleteHugs to you too, Vai!!
No problem! I really wanna help.
DeleteHugs,
vai
P.S: Yknow Naffy? The Animal Jam Whip? I wrote her on the 12th of December cuz I saw her writing back to someone in December, hoping that she would see mine too. ANd its been over a MONTH! XD
Hey Doomy!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everything you're saying; the subtle, "unintentional" ways to direct people to AJPW is really starting to get on my nerves more and more.
Plus, I honestly prefer AJ Classic a lot more anyways. Don't get me wrong, both are so cool and the graphics/animals are just perfect and fun! But AJ Classic is like the OG Animal Jam, and taking that away (or at least not updating it more and more) is just disheartening to me hoenstly. Taking away a game that has made so many people happy (and also that's lasted over a decade now), is so frustrating :(
Anyways sorry to vent on you xD
But this post really touches a special place in a lot of people's heart's I feel like :l
~popcorn :)
Yeah, it feels so... dismissive, honestly. Like this game has been around for 10 years, it's incredibly unique, reaching so many milestones, it has a level of lore you rarely see in kids browser games, and it's like WildWorks is just, pushing it aside.
DeleteIn my honest opinion, I feel like while AJ Classic is a unique experience, AJPW is more like WildWorks following mobile gaming trends to try and make a successful game, rather than a creative one. That doesn't mean it's not fun for a lot of people, it just feels... eh. Less integrity.
Thank you for sharing! Because each one of my blog posts is honestly a giant rant, of course you're encouraged to rant in the comments with me xD
Me and a friend called Periidoti ranted for at least 20 minutes straight about flash closing. Seriously though, it's not like all the kids have PCs instead of school chromebooks. COME ON!
DeleteI also want to state out that the most recent update that isn't recycled was the My Shop, mentioned a couple months ago. And guess what? IT'S NOT NONMEMBER! Or at least have the ol' nonmembers like me buy from shops. I have 72 diamonds and I can't use them on anything useful. CHANGE IT, AJHQ!
~A useful rant by Dogo
(actually i have 75 diamonds...)
DeleteThe link that you placed on my blog is the link that I use to log in. When I log in, it gives me a picture of Liza saying "You need to ALLOW FLASH" blah blah blah. But if I log into my sisters account, it puts a picture of a happy mom tiger and an astonished baby tiger in front of a computer, and if I press a button that says "click here to allow flash" then it lets me allow flash. So, it's tricky to log in. I go into my sisters account, log out as quickly as possible, pull up another tab and put the same link and log into my account. THEN I can close the tab where I logged out of my sisters account. It's hard >.<
ReplyDelete~Dogo
P.S. I didn't want to share the link to many ppl because I was afraid it would get leaked to AJHQ and they would patch it.
AAAAA, they better not patch it, it's not like it's creating problems for the game or anything :(
DeleteI'm pretty sure theyve now patched the link because when i click on it it shows the log in/create an animal page for a few seconds then goes right back to the normal home page :(
DeleteYep. It shows the create an animal for like 0.7 sec and then switches back to the home page, so http://animaljam.com/en/welcome doesn't work anymore :/
DeleteAnd I also just commented on your post "We Need to Change!" I made a little poem/rap thing that I actually kind of like (even if it's cringe) and I wanted to copy it into my post today :)
ReplyDelete~popcorn
I saw and I'm so touched that you were inspired to write it-- don't you DARE say it's cringe. It was powerful, and you gotta share it with others. You ended it really powerfully-- "the world changes when we change" :')
Delete:''') thanks!! But truly all of those topics and facts came from that post. It truly was SO amazing.
Delete~popcorn
P.S. Honestly, New York Times worthy if you ask me ;)
That's so kind of you to say T^T thank you!!
DeleteIt really is disheartening to see AJC being overshadowed and neglected in favour of AJPW. WW basically markets AJPW as if it's the successor of AJC which is far from the truth. Both games are fun in their own ways and have their own charms and distinct gameplay quirks. I can probably understand from a business standpoint why WW is pushing AJPW with mobile gaming being such a big industry and all, but I don't think that kicking its "award winning" and decade surviving game to the curb is very dignified. Hell, AJPW is just riding off of WW's most well known IP... Have some respect for the original AJ!! (Ok rant over, had to get it off my chest :P)
ReplyDeleteI found your blog not too long ago and it's pretty cool to see that there's still an OG AJC blogger out there alive and kickin'. Kudos to you for sticking with the rocky boat that is AJC. Don't let WW's shenanigans burn you out!
Well said! That's a really accurate way to describe it-- AJPW is just riding off the coattails of AJC.
DeleteAnd thank you so much!! Your comment really resonated with me. AJC really is a rocky boat, but I'm gonna stick with it as you said xD I love it too much!
Did you hear about Webkinz? I'm not too sure, but I think they might be following the same path as AJ. Also, what are you going to miss the most about Flash dying besides AJ? For me, it's a ton of games on coolmath, and Poptropica. I like AJC better than AJPW, but then again I hardly ever do AJPW.
ReplyDelete(Beesums, my music is making this feel MUCH more somber than it is)
How was your break? I had a good one, I played Doom and Stardew Valley a lot :)
-Julieblap
I just checked out the new Webkinz and OH NO IT LOOKS SO BAD XD
DeleteIt's like early 2000's CGI... I THOUGHT WE WERE PAST THAT ERA. I don't understand why anyone would think that abomination looks better than the cute 2D pets. It's honestly baffling
Ahhh yes, coolmathgames. I think my favorite was Crazy Taxi. Also, there was Orisinal: Morning Sunshine that had a lot of really adorable and fun flash games. You can't play them anymore online, but I think some might be available as apps (or at least I hope so..)
And I'm glad your break was good!! Stardew Valley is a good game, I played that a whole lot last year. Have there been any new updates you know of?
I'm still on winter break, and I'm hoping I'll get to unpacking more things because I moved in August and still have a bunch of boxes to get through. Also hoping to finally fix up this blog's layout, but I admit it might take awhile ^^;
Coolmathgames? I remember that. Sooo old. I stopped playing it that much once my friends told me about AnimalJam.
Delete~Dogo
Yeah coolmath is really old XD
DeleteDefinitely not as fun as the mini games on AJ, but I guess I still have a few fond memories of it
Yeah, there have! I'm on console but my friend on the computer version says that you can sit in chairs, move your bed, and there's another land you can travel to!
Delete-Julieblap
OOOO cool!! I kinda wanna start playing Stardew Valley again, but I'm afraid that if I start, I won't be able to stop again... xD
DeleteYou can still play when the pop-up that takes you to the download comes up - just go up to the top left corner, click on the little lock, and hit “allow flash”
ReplyDeleteOh I didn't see that! Thanks for letting me know. Let's hope that keeps working for a while :)
DeleteThat won't work for me. My flash is controlled by the school. It will stay off unless I go and log into my sisters account.... it's a long story and I told you it already (:
Delete~Dogo
DOOMY
ReplyDeleteHELP
I accidentally wrote a REALLY LONG COMMENT on AJHQ's newest Instagram post - and it is REALLY, REALLY, long. Now I really hope I don't get banned for speaking my mind. It was addressing the same issue this post was talking about... Here it is:
Hi AJHQ,
These peacocks are amazing!!! However, I do have something to say that doesn't have much to do with this new update. I really hope I'm not bothering you. Since it's now 2021, all Chromebook users (including myself) have been forced to give up AJ Classic and switch to AJ Mobile. While I understand that you need to make money, I also see that a lot of Chromebook users are heartbroken that they can't play the game they've loved for so long anymore. AJ Classic was a safe haven for so many people, but when Flash ended, that haven was taken from them without them being able to do anything. But why, if we can't play Classic anymore, can we still play Mobile? AJ Classic can only be downloaded on PCs or Macs, but AJ Mobile can be downloaded in so many more ways like Google Play, PC, Mac, Steam, etc. If it's possible to make AJ Mobile compatible for so many platforms... why can't AJC be made compatible for that many? Just a thought. I truly am grateful for all the hard work you put into this game, but I really hope that you take the fact that AJ Mobile is compatible with so many devices, yet AJC is only compatible with 2 types. Please, bring AJC back to Chromebook users.
And while I'm at it, please give AJC a new animal too. AJPW gets a ton, but AJC hasn't gotten one (minus rainbow raccoon) in over a year. I understand that AJPW is more popular, but still, many people, including myself, love AJC and hope that it sees another non-recycled update- soon.
~Wild
Do you approve? I tried my best to sound respectful, but on this matter, keeping self-control was real hard XD
I really, really, hope that they read and take this comment seriously. All the comments on the post about AJC being neglected made me want to go curl up in a hole and cry. I hate the fact that AJPW is getting so many new and unique updates and AJC is getting none. Well, unless you count the sorta-recycled rainbow raccoons (that have a glitch).
It really breaks my heart to see the game I love be ignored. And just before my 2nd year of playing anniversary too. (February 7).
~Wild, who is about to start crying from all the sadness writing the comment brought up
That was super respectful and 100% needed-- you don't have to worry, you won't be banned for speaking your mind. If you are for some reason, I will personally bully WildWorks until you get your account back X)
DeleteThank you so much for being forward about your thoughts to AJHQ. This is something that you and a whole lot of other people care about-- you did the right thing.
I know the dumb decision by WildWorks to devote less attention to AJC is upsetting, because it shows a lack of consideration for all the people who love AJC and have stuck with the game through so much.
I guess what helps me feel better is the fact that AJC is so much more than updates and new item things-- it's all the creative and kind people who you can meet, it's the fact that it's an adorable nature-focused world where you can choose between so many animals to be. Even if updates are scarce, I'm still surprised every time I go into Jamaa by the creative ways Jammers use dens, create art, and make others laugh.
Maybe WildWorks is ignoring AJC, but its players aren't. It's still a fun world full of memories and gameplay :D
Doomy, if you can, please tell Dogo I let anonymous people/name url people comment now!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
vai <3
So glad!! I hope Dogo sees this comment X)
DeleteMaybe you can put a little message in your comment rules?
Don't worry Vai, I saw! :)
Deletelike amhdolphin said, you can still play animal jam from the desktop website. here's a detailed tutorial of how to do that (with pictures!)
ReplyDeletenote: i use google chrome and can't guarantee that this'll work the same on other browsers
1. go to https://classic.animaljam.com/en and click on the "play free" button https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/386658456465178648/796796385209876540/unknown.png
2. you'll probably be greeted with the "download the app plz" screen but do not fear! click the lock icon next to the url, and the site settings menu will pop up https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/386658456465178648/796796324653695016/unknown.png
3. if the option to turn on flash is there from the get go, use the drop down menu and click "allow" https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/386658456465178648/796796278121300018/unknown.png
4. if that option is NOT there, you'll need to go to the site settings. click the "site settings" option, which will redirect you to a page that gives you the option to allow flash https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/386658456465178648/796801938721079377/unknown.png
5. reload the page, and you're in! https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/386658456465178648/796796941152944128/unknown.png
note: i'm not completely sure why chrome is still allowing people to enable flash (i'm not complaining though), so while this works for now, chrome might get rid of this setting at any time
Thanks so much for this! Unfortunately I don't think you can display images in comments, but thanks for including the links anyway for a helpful visual c:
DeleteSo, I think Chrome will let you keep enabling flash for a period of time if you don't update Chrome. Maybe you need to actively prevent it from auto-updating? I'm not sure
I also noticed that the click box for the "Download AJ!" thing makes it so that if you click just an inch off the screen, then it makes you download it. It even obscures the chat box!
ReplyDelete-Julieblap
Huh. Do you mean the button for downloading AJPW, or the button for downloading normal AJ?
DeleteYounger kids might think they're downloading Animal Jam but they're actually downloading Play Wild. They will think that they can never play Animal Jam again because they didn't know that they could just scroll down, click play now, and then click download o3o
ReplyDeleteAll of the chromebook users are being left out. (I said this already but I'm not sure if you saw it) Me and Periidoti had a big rant about flash closing. But, tell me Doomy, do you think the majority of kids who play Animaljam have PC/Mac or School Chromebooks? Because me AND my sister and lots of kids in my school have school chromebooks. And I'm not sure every parent is going to let your download animal jam (I know my parents won't).
I think ajhq should make a little more effort on trying to gain players on their website. Please, I want to have it on my IPad! If only Play Wild worked, but my IPad says it 'doesn't support my device.' I used to have the game, but when I tried to update it, it wouldn't let me. It said 'do u want the last version' but of course it wouldn't let me play the last version, and it would ask me to update the game again...
~Dogo
I agree, it's a big problem. I don't know exactly if the majority of people who play AJ use Chromebooks or PC/Mac, but I do know that Chromebooks are most often distributed as school computers, so it's very very likely.
DeleteI'm so sorry you're having issues with AJPW... have you sent a help ticket to AJHQ? They might help explain what's going on. Maybe you need to update your iPad's system or something, though I'm not too sure how it works... Best of luck, Dogo.
just seeing this now. as a chromebook player, i can no longer play on ajc because they blocked out pretty much all of the ways i can possibly play ajc. frustrating, because as you expected, they changed the way you can log in with no download.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have a link to the download? whenever i try to download it on the actual AJC website it just downloads the other version for some reason
ReplyDeleteThat's really really annoying, sorry you're dealing with that >.<
DeleteI have no clue what's going on with that. When I test it out and download it off of classic.animaljam.com/en/ then it gives me the correct version. It might have to do with the browser or operating system maybe?
I found a different link to download AJC, I think it's an older one: lb.animaljam.com/en/download
No idea what the "lb" in the url means but it's still the core animaljam.com url, so I think it should be ok?
Does any one have a site where i don't have to download it on mac or pc.
ReplyDelete