Animal Jam (game)
 | This article contains promotional content. (February 2013) |
National Geographic Animal Jam is a massively multiplayer online game launched in 2010 by Smart Bomb Interactive, in partnership with the National Geographic Society.[1]The game, which has experienced 500% year-over-year growth, already has millions of registered players, and is one of the fastest-growing online kids properties worldwide.[2] Animal Jam is free from outside advertising and adheres to a strict privacy policy.[3]
Animal Jam takes place in the world of Jamaa, where players can travel through various ecological environments. Each environment features different interactive facts, games, and virtual shops. Players are represented in the game with customizable animal avatars. Players can accessorize their avatars, decorate their dens, and adopt virtual pets. Players interact with one another through chatting, trading/gifting, or by participating in multiplayer games and parties. Players are rewarded with achievements for collecting facts in game, making friends, and decorating their dens. Players also earn the in-game currency, Gems, by completing games. Gems enable players to make in-game purchases of additional avatars, accessories, dens, and den items.[4]
Development
The game was developed in 2009 by Smart Bomb Interactive, and launched publicly with memberships in September 2010.[5] In May of 2011, Animal Jam announced it had surpassed 1 million registered players.[6] By August of 2012, the game surpassed 6 million players worldwide.[7]
Membership
Animal Jam has 3 membership offerings (1 month, 6 month, or 12 month)[8], as well as various gift card options available at retailers throughout the United States.[9] Membership grants players access to member-only avatars, virtual pets, additional customization options, and more.[10]
Environment
Animal Jam is divided into multiple lands and parties. Each player is provided with a den for their avatar, that can be decorated with den items. Members are able to upgrade their dens and purchase additional member-only den items, purchased via the in-game currency, Gems, earned by playing games.[11]
Parties are rotated in Jamaa and are themed, typically around events and holidays celebrated in Animal Jam.[12] Parties include shops with limited-availability items for purchase using Gems.
Lands of Jamaa
Jamaa is the fictional world in which players interact with one another in-game. Jamaa is comprised of 11 different lands, 7 of which are land based, and 4 of which are in the ocean.
- Land - Jamaa Township, Appondale, Mt. Shiveer, Sarepia Forest, Coral Canyons, Temple of Zios, Crystal Sands
- Ocean - Kani Cove, Bahari Bay, Deep Blue, Crystal Reef
Shops
There are multiple shops throughout Jamaa where players can purchase items such as accessories for their avatars, virtual pets, and den items. The following are the shops found in each land in Jamaa:
- Jamaa Township – Jam Mart Furniture, Jam Mart Clothing, Sol Arcade
- Appondale – Claws ‘N Paws, Conservation Museum
- Mt. Shiveer – Hot Cocoa Hut
- Sarepia Forest – Flag Shop, Treetop Gardens
- Coral Canyons – Den Shop, Epic Wonders
- Temple of Zios – Chamber of Knowledge
- Crystal Sands – No shops at this time
- Kani Cove – Sunken Treasures
- Bahari Bay – Bahari Bargains
- Deep Blue – No shops at this time
- Crystal Reef – Flippers ‘N Fins