PixelPets is still in development!

If something doesn't seem to be working right, please let me know over at

@InspectorCaracal@ping.the-planet.space

For a more detailed look at what's planned for the game, jump over to Development.

FAQs

How do I play?

PixelPets requires a federated social media account to play - that means an account on a site running something like Friendica, Mastodon, Misskey, Pleroma, or one of many other compatible servers.

If you have a social media account but you're not sure if it works, just send a DM to @FrontDesk@pixelpets.xyz with the word "help". If you get a reply, you're good to play!

The currently available pets are all listed on the front page. Each critter comes with a name that will determine their username, their pronouns, and their Home city - the place where they live, go back to after quests, and store their things.

If one of them appeals to you, click on their image for instructions on how to place an adoption request. You'll then be sent a short form to fill out.

How many pets can I have?

You can only adopt ONE critter per account, so make sure you pick someone that you like! The available adoptables on the front page are randomly generated and periodically cleared for new options, so if none of them catch your eye, check back again later. Also, there's no restrictions on having alt accounts.

These names are awkward! Can I rename mine?

Yes! And no. The original name will be part of the pet's username - the handle you use to @ mention them and the link to their profile page. But you can give them whatever nickname you want, which will change what name they show on their account and their profile.

What do these form options mean?

• Name: the identifier for the critter you're going to adopt. Don't change this!
• Nickname: the name you want your critter to go by. It sets the display name for their account.
• Socialization?: gives your critter permission to interact with other critters in the game. The answer must be either "yes" or "no", no quotes, any capitalization.
• Info: general info about your critter, such as an in-character background summary. Shows up in the "bio" or "summary" field of their profile.

I've adopted a new critter! Now what?

For now, you can talk to your new partner and send them out on quests. Questing is the primary way to gather items, which can then be crafted with and sold in town.

If you interact with them a few times every day, their bond with you will grow and you'll unlock new interactions over time.

The game is still in early development, so there'll be lots more to do in the future! To start, here are some actions you can ask your partner to take.

• visit [place] or go to [place] tells them to start travelling to another town or city. You can see a full list on the world map.
• new quest tells them to pick up a new quest.

The FrontDesk account has a full list you can check by messaging them with "keywords".

You can use the keywords anywhere in your post, if you like talking to them in full sentences! e.g. @DragonKzzhek let's go on a new quest! will work just as well as @DragonKzzhek new quest

Can other people talk to my critter?

Yes, anyone can message them, and they'll reply from a standard set of "strangers" responses. (An ability to block certain social media accounts from interacting with your critter is planned for the future, but it'll be a while.) However, as their partner, you're the only one who can follow the account.

In-Game Commands

Help-Desk Commands

The help bot at @FrontDesk@pixelpets.xyz has a number of available command keywords, which you can message it with at any time.

• help - responds with a list of these commands
• adopt AccountName - begin the adoption process for one of our available adoptables. You can find an available character's account name by clicking on its image.
• report AccountName - report a PixelPets account name for inappropriate content. Please DON'T include the @ or domain - it should be in the format of report DragonKzzhek with no further additions. The report will be recorded anonymously and can be sent as a DM.
• keywords - list the keywords you can use with your partner critter.

The FrontDesk's own help list is updated before this page, so reference it first and come here if you need more details.

Partner Character Commands

There are a number of keyword actions you can use with your partner critter - and more planned for the future! Here's a list and explanations.

• visit [place] or go to [place] - travel to a different city. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek let's go to Smalltown

• new quest - pick up a new quest in town and start working towards completing it. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek look for a new quest

• go home - starts the journey back to their home town, if not already there. It also cancels any current quests or travels. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek time to go home

• move to [place] - changes their home to a different town or city. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek let's move to Oasis

• where are you or location - see a minimap of their current location. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek where are you?

• what are you doing or how are you - get an update on their current quest task. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek hey! what are you doing right now?

• buy [accessory] - travel to the place where an accessory item is being sold, then buy it and put it on! Example:

  @DragonKzzhek let's go buy a red top hat

• storage - view a list of accessories your critter has in their storage. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek what do you have in storage?

• new nickname [new nickname] or change nickname [new nickname] - changes the nickname/display name for your partner critter. Example:

  @DragonKzzhek new nickname Trogdor the Burninator

• new info [new info] or change info [new info] - changes the summary/bio/profile text for your partner critter. NOTE: this functionality does not currently support multiple lines! Example:

  @DragonKzzhek new info burninating the countryside! burninating the village!

The FrontDesk's own help list is updated before this page, so reference it first and come here if you need more details.