Babyz
| Babyz | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Ubisoft Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Mindscape |
| Distributor(s) | The Learning Company |
| Designer(s) | Andrew Stern |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release date(s) | 1999 |
| Rating(s) | Everyone |
| Media/distribution | CD (1) |
Babyz is a computer game in which one can play with and take care of a group of babies who live in a virtual house on the computer. The game was released in 1999 by The Learning Company, developed by members of PF Magic working there at the time.
Babyz runs on top of the Petz 3 game engine, adding additional AI and voice recognition. For example, players can "teach" their Babyz baby talk, how to play with objects, and how to walk. Babyz can also form relationships with other babyz that can result in "sibling rivalries" or "friendships".
When Babyz was first released in 1999 there were 15 babyz you could adopt and care for and various toys that babyz could interact with. There were also many different rooms to explore and a number of different clothing items. Babyz reused some of the Petz toyz and had a similar home setting for its playscenez. Most content in the game can be downloaded and accessed by anyone via user-websites. Users have created ways to make the game playable with Windows XP and create custom content that users can use with their Babyz, as well as unofficial adoption centers and pages.
Contents |
[edit] The Babyz Community
A Babyz Community started on the official site, which has since been shut down. The website offered adoptions and discussions. Soon people started forming their own forums and babyz websites with similar content. "Pageants" are where people enter pictures of their babyz posing and earning awards. In 2003, the The Babyz Community Rating System, loosely based on the Petz Community rankings, was created which allows people to register three or four of their babyz, and gain points whenever they win in a pageant.
Around the same time fan websites were going up, it was discovered that one could hex edit the babyz to introduce new hairstyles, eye colours, etc. These edited babyz ('hexies') and custom clothes were often available on fan websites and unique babyz became all the rage.
Babyz Your Virtual Bundle of Joy was original made for the Windows 95/98 Platform. But with the creation of a patch by Nick Sherlock, the game can now be played in Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7; both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The Patch is available at BabyzPatch.com.
Although not produced any longer, the game can still be found at various online retail sites including DirtCheapSoftware.com, Babyz.com, and through various eBay Sellers. Most of these places offer information and limited support on applying the patch for newer versions of Microsoft Windows.
