Monthly Neopets AMAs with TNT Summaries

Nov 7

The November 2024 Neopets AMA, held on November 7 at 5 p.m. NST, marked a special 25th Anniversary event featuring CEO Dom Law, a Neopets trivia game called “Neocash Knockout,” and a discussion with Aesop, the site’s Narrative Director. Hosted by TNT Luna, the livestream included trivia contestants like macosten of Jellyneo, Missy from Neopets Nation, and YouTuber TheAmandaFiles. Fans had the chance to submit questions in advance via TNT Luna’s Neoboard, allowing for a highly interactive session. This AMA was simulcast across platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch, with playback available afterward.

Throughout the event, the Neopets team shared a universal rare item code, “BIRTHDAYBASH,” which could be redeemed at Grundo’s Warehouse for a special Birthday Babaa item. They also held a live giveaway, encouraging viewers to guess Neopet silhouettes in the chat to win prizes. Aesop opened the AMA by answering questions about his role, his favorite moments in Neopets history, and the creative process behind recent plot developments. He also reminisced about early Neopets memories and highlighted notable story-driven events that have shaped the game.

The trivia game, “Neocash Knockout,” saw fans buzzing in to answer Neopets-related questions. The game featured a Jeopardy-style board and questions written by Neopets staff and Jellyneo’s Herdy. Macosten emerged as the winner, taking home virtual Neocash points. Afterward, TNT Dom fielded questions from the community on the 25th anniversary milestones, site performance improvements, and their vision for the future of Neopets. Dom discussed infrastructure upgrades that had been prioritized, updates planned for quality-of-life improvements, and ongoing efforts to grow Neopets’ global brand while maintaining classic site engagement.

One key point Dom addressed was the roadmap for the next phases of “The Void Within” plot, including faster-paced chapter releases and increased Battledome drops to help with in-game inflation issues. He shared insight into balancing resources between the classic site and new ventures, noting that a three-pronged strategy focuses on classic site updates, mobile apps, and new experiences to attract new players. The Neopets team reaffirmed their commitment to the community, encouraging players to continue sending feedback and reporting issues. This AMA celebrated the past and laid out plans to sustain and revitalize the site in the coming years.

Oct 9

The October 2024 AMA took place at 5pm NST on Wednesday, October 9, and was first announced on September 30. It was dubbed “The Faerie Edition” and featured Neopets CEO Dom Law, along with Rebecca Mix, the author, and Erinn Pascal, the editor of the upcoming graphic novel Neopets: The Omelette Faerie. TNT Luna returned to host the event for a fifth consecutive month. During the AMA, questions could be submitted in advance via a StrawPoll shared on Neopets’ social media, where users could vote on questions as well.

The AMA was simulcast on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X, Twitch, and Instagram, and it remains available for rewatching on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter/X. As an incentive for viewers, a rare item code, SPOOKYSCARY, was shared near the end of the livestream, granting a Halloween Petpet Paint Brush, which was redeemable at Grundo’s Warehouse until October 11th at 5pm NST.

Rebecca Mix and Erinn Pascal discussed their involvement with the upcoming graphic novel Neopets: The Omelette Faerie, revealing that Rebecca has been a Neopets player for over 20 years and that Neopets inspired her to become a writer. Erinn, who has worked with Neopets publishing for over three years, shared her connection to the site, recalling playing Neopets with her sister. Rebecca also discussed the novel’s premise, where Sabre-X and a mysterious fire faerie go on a quest to return the Giant Omelette to Faerieland. The book also features a sapphic storyline involving the Omelette Faerie and her girlfriend, with Kyruggi playing an important role. They also shared that the book is aimed at a young adult audience but will have broad appeal across ages. The novel will be released on October 22, 2024, and will be available both through local indie bookstores and online. A signed copy can be obtained by ordering directly from Rebecca’s local bookstore.

TNT Fae then joined to discuss Halloween Pet Styles, with a focus on spooky and mischievous designs for the upcoming season. Fae, who has worked on Neopets for over two years, discussed some of their favorite projects, including the Faerie Hissi and Faerie Eyrie Pet Styles. Fae also shared plans for Halloween Pet Styles and crosspaint pet styles, teasing ideas like Baby Faerie versions of existing pets.

The conversation then turned to Faerie Fragments, the mobile game follow-up to Faerie’s Hope, which will continue the storyline from The Faeries’ Ruin. Fallie explained the new match-3 puzzle gameplay, with Baby Neopets replacing tiles, and revealed that the game would offer perks for NeoPass users. The game will have around 800 levels at launch, and future updates will include new events and challenges. Pre-registration for the game is encouraged, with rewards such as a Luxinia outfit for those who sign up early.

Finally, TNT Dom answered a range of questions, including the status of Dr. Landelbrot’s Voidworks, the potential introduction of new pet species or colors, and future updates for the Battledome. Dom explained that the site was currently focused on improving performance and fixing bugs, with a major overhaul planned for the following year. He also addressed shadowbans from the 2024 Altador Cup, clarified that they were a measure to ensure fair play, and reassured users that improvements are being made to the site’s backend.

Sept 4

The September 2024 AMA took place on September 4th, featuring Neopets CEO Dom Law and TNT Stone, with TNT Luna hosting. The event focused on the upcoming Faerie Festival and the new mobile game Faerie Fragments, which is a reboot of Faerie’s Hope. Viewers were given a rare item code for a Faerie Petpet Paint Brush, redeemable at Grundo’s Warehouse until September 6th. The AMA was simulcast across YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter/X, and the replay remains available on these platforms.

During the AMA, TNT Stone revealed insights into the Faerie Festival, noting that while the event would still feature the traditional Illusen and Jhudora quests, this year they would operate separately, giving players the choice of which Faerie to support. He also mentioned that prizes from previous years would return with a few new additions, including some Free the Faeries NC items. Stone teased future Faerie storylines and confirmed that the Soup Faerie would eventually be named.

TNT Sperion shared details about Faerie Fragments, emphasizing that it was a relaunch of Faerie’s Hope with improvements based on player feedback. He mentioned that while players’ progress from the original game wouldn’t transfer over due to technical challenges, the new version would offer exciting updates and Easter eggs. The game is slated for preregistration on September 24th and a playable launch in October.

Dom Law discussed several topics, including the upcoming updates for the Altador Cup, with plans to make it less grindy and more enjoyable for players. He also confirmed that new features, such as the Battledome waves mechanic, would be tested during the current plot and later incorporated into the Battledome. Dom acknowledged the need for greater transparency around gacha odds and confirmed that updates were in progress to address concerns. Additionally, Dom shared that while upgrading the site’s PHP version is challenging, TNT is focusing on security upgrades. He concluded with updates on the pet purge process, reassuring players that pets would be deleted and names made available for re-creation, alongside planned pet slot updates.

Aug 1

The August 2024 Neopets AMA, held on August 1 at 5pm NST, was an engaging livestream that covered several exciting topics, including updates on the Altador Cup, Tales of Dacardia, and the highly anticipated Neopets Tabletop RPG. Hosted by Luna, the AMA featured a panel of Neopets staff members, including CEO Dom Law, narrative designer Jewel, and project manager Fallie.

Jewel provided insights into the Altador Cup’s newest team, Dacardia, which made its debut in this year’s tournament. She introduced the team members, such as Captain Tyrra Tamina and Magnus Byte, and revealed some behind-the-scenes details about their story and participation. Jewel also teased upcoming quests for Tales of Dacardia, including a new quest line linked to the Altador Cup, and promised more content to come later in the year.

TNT Fallie then took the spotlight to discuss the Neopets Tabletop RPG, which has already exceeded 300% of its Kickstarter funding goal. The game will allow players to explore Neopia through various species and missions, focusing more on storytelling and cooperation rather than combat. Fallie also mentioned that the game would be released in July 2025, with stretch goals including extra content and merchandise. Additionally, viewers were given a code for a 10% discount on items from the newly relaunched Neopets e-Shop.

Dom Law addressed the Neopets presence at SDCC 2024, including the exclusive Aisha and Shoyru plushies and the greater visibility of the Neopets booth. He also shared updates about the Neopets Trading Card Game, which Upper Deck is promoting at Gen Con, and highlighted upcoming appearances at conventions such as Fan Expo Canada.

In addition to the exciting announcements, the team took time to discuss recent server issues, assuring fans that most problems had been resolved and that more detailed communications would follow. They also acknowledged the ongoing issues with Battledome prizes and item-stealing bugs, promising future fixes.

The AMA concluded with a giveaway, and the staff offered an exclusive Rare Item Code for viewers to redeem at Grundo Warehouse.

June 27

The June 2024 AMA, held on June 27, was focused on the upcoming Neopets Battledome Trading Card Game (TCG) and featured CEO Dom Law, TNT Luna, Upper Deck’s Bobby Coovert, and TNT Fallie. The session began with a trailer for the TCG, followed by a discussion with Bobby about its development. Bobby shared insights about the card game’s creation process, which began in 2022, and confirmed that the TCG is a brand-new, original project separate from the earlier Neopets TCG. He also highlighted the launch of the official Battledome League, with tournaments offering exclusive promotional cards.

In addition to updates on the TCG, Fallie gave an update on the fan art program, revealing the completion of the first round of acceptance emails. She also touched on the progress of “Tales of Dacardia,” including upcoming event tie-ins and new chapters. Dom Law answered questions from the community, including concerns about mass banning, the Altador Cup 2024, and plans for updating Premium memberships. He also addressed the issue of lag during customization and the NC Mall, with efforts to improve the experience in the coming months.

The AMA included giveaways, where viewers could win starter decks and booster packs by commenting on the livestream. Some fun TCG card suggestions were made, including a Tropical Food Shopkeeper and a Pile of Slightly-Chewed Socks. The session ended with Dom addressing various Neopets updates, including the potential expansion of TCG availability beyond the US and Canada, and plans to fix longstanding issues like the Skarl Collectible Charm.

May 29

The May 2024 AMA, held on May 29, was a lively session featuring Neopets CEO Dom Law, TNT Luna, and special guests Amanda from theamandafiles and TNT Fallie. The event centered around upcoming pet styles, with Fallie revealing that 18 new nostalgic pet styles were being developed for pets that never had UC versions, such as Vandagyre, Lutari, and Ruki. They also discussed the possibility of additional poses for nostalgic pets, though technical limitations remain. Amanda shared her enthusiasm for Maraquan Neopets and praised the dramatic changes to Neopets lore, specifically in The Faeries’ Ruin.

The AMA also covered recent events, like the Puzzle Hunters Club social media campaign, where clues led to a new avatar design. The team discussed their approach to engaging the community through interactive events and the design process behind the avatar. Dom Law addressed multiple player concerns, including the new plot launching in June, which will come with Battledome fixes. He explained that while TNT is focusing on security and performance improvements, they are also actively considering the introduction of new pet slots and adjustments to the Quest Log to address inflation. Dom acknowledged the community’s importance in keeping Neopets alive and confirmed the Altador Cup 2024 will likely occur in early July, with new features like team rebalancing and possibly a new team.

Apr 24

The April 2024 AMA for Neopets, dubbed the “Upper Deck Edition,” took place on April 24th, 2024, at 5pm NST. Hosted by Kevin from KevinoGaming, the event highlighted exciting updates about the upcoming Upper Deck Battledome Trading Card Game (NBTCG) and the Tales of Dacardia mobile game. Neopets CEO Dom Law also provided insights into recent developments. Special guests included Bobby Coovert from Upper Deck, TNT Jewel (Narrative Designer), and TNT Ghoti Wrangler (Lead Artist).

During the AMA, Bobby Coovert, the Product Manager and Game Designer for Upper Deck’s Neopets TCG, explained that the game will feature unique dice mechanics, which are not commonly found in trading card games. The goal is to create a game that appeals to both casual players and serious tabletop gamers. The game will launch with two starter decks, “Starry” featuring Starry Acara and “Fire” featuring Fire Uni. In total, the game will include over 250 unique cards, and with rarities, there will be more than 400 cards when factoring in different versions. The first wave of the NBTCG is expected to be released before Gen Con 2024 in early August. As a special bonus for live viewers, the code “THENEOPETSTCG” was shared during the AMA for a free Cool Negg item, available for redemption at Grundo Warehouse until April 26th, 2024.

Tales of Dacardia, a new mobile game, was also a major topic of discussion. The game centers around rebuilding the ancient town of Dacardia after a storm, with the help of Crabby Bots and interactions with Neopets. The narrative designer, TNT Jewel, shared that the story combines new lore with existing Neopets references, including ties to the Altador Cup. The game is currently available in Hong Kong and Canada, with a global release expected in June 2024.

Dom Law, Neopets CEO, also took part in the AMA and shared updates from Q1 2024, which revealed the growth of Neopets to over 300,000 monthly users. TNT has also significantly increased the efficiency of resolving customer support tickets. Dom acknowledged issues with the Battledome, including the lack of updates for over ten years. He assured viewers that improvements were on the way, with fixes for bugs like freezing item glitches and UI issues planned for the next few sprints. Dom also addressed community concerns, including the possibility of re-releasing rare items, the cost of adding CAPTCHAs to features like Food Club, and plans to expand the fan site ecosystem. Lastly, Dom confirmed that the size of the support team would be increasing to improve ticket resolution times.

Mar 27

The March 2024 AMA, held on March 27 at 5 pm NST, was dubbed “The Void Within Edition.” It featured Neopets CEO Dom Law, along with members of the Neopets team, including Aesop, Jewel, Fallie, and Stone. The event was moderated by Amanda from theamandafiles, a Neopets YouTuber. Questions were submitted through a StrawPoll on Neopets social media, and viewers could vote on their preferred questions. The AMA was simulcast on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X, Twitch, and Instagram, with replays available on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter/X.

TNT revealed a special Rare Item Code for all live viewers—THEVOIDWITHIN—giving them access to a Void Negg, which was redeemable at Grundo Warehouse until March 29th, 2024. Despite being announced as an exclusive unreleased prize, the Void Negg was a previously released item.

The team discussed the ongoing plot “The Void Within,” which explores themes of returning to Neopia after a long time away. The plot will span around 10 months, with involvement from multiple writers and contributors. Aesop, who heads the narrative team, shared that the plot aimed to mirror the real-life experience of stepping away from Neopets and the challenges of returning after growth. Stone, Jewel, and Fallie also contributed, providing insights into the narrative direction, key characters, and upcoming events.

The AMA also featured discussions on upcoming game features, including the Tales of Dacardia launch in Canada, new pet styles, and ongoing efforts to combat botting and improve the user experience. Dom Law discussed the challenges of updating the site infrastructure, such as payment systems and pet slots, and teased future developments like NeoPass, which will enable fan-made games and enhanced account features.

Other topics included updates to Neopets’ in-game economy, plans for a Neomail rework, and the future of Neohomes. Dom confirmed that NeoPass would serve as a foundation for future Neopets apps and games, and he hinted at potential collaborations with fan-made content. While there is no set timeline for all features, the team reassured fans that quality-of-life improvements are a priority.

Feb 15

The February 2024 AMA took place on February 15 at 5 pm NST, titled “Faerie Friends Edition.” It featured Neopets CEO Dom Law, along with other TNT members and long-time Neopian friends, moderated by Kevin from KevinoGaming. Questions were submitted via a StrawPoll, and the AMA was streamed across multiple platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.

During the event, TNT gave away five Neopets: The Official Tarot Deck, Faerie Edition, with viewers sharing Neofriend memories for a chance to win. An exclusive unreleased prize, the Valentine Stamp, was also available for viewers with verified emails.

The event covered various topics, including NeoPass, a portal for linking Neopets accounts, which will provide a more secure experience. Dom Law also confirmed that TNT is working on increasing pet slots, especially after the success of Pet Styles. In terms of the Battledome, TNT confirmed plans to fix bugs and rework prize drop rates. Dom also discussed the ongoing issues with NC payment processing and assured that improvements are underway.

Dom emphasized that TNT is working to improve the security of Neopets, following past data leaks, and shared that Island Builders will be relaunched as “Tales of Dacardia” with the introduction of NeoPass. The team also plans to enhance the overall user experience moving forward.

Jan 17

The January 2024 AMA took place on January 17 at 5 pm NST and was dubbed the “NC Style Pet Edition.” It featured Neopets CEO Dom Law, along with community ambassadors such as Sosu, and members of the TNT team, including TNT Fae and TNT Ivy. Moderated by Kevin from KevinoGaming, this event allowed fans to submit questions through a StrawPoll shared on social media.

The AMA was simulcast on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, with a link to rewatch available on all platforms. The livestream also included a Rare Item Code for attendees, revealing a Darigan Paintbrush (TCG), despite initial announcements suggesting it would be a new unreleased item.

During the AMA, various topics were discussed, such as the NC UCs (Neocash Unconverted Pets). TNT Fae confirmed that the NC UCs would officially launch on January 23, 2024, with Faerie, Darigan, and Grey as the initial colors. These UCs would not just include pre-existing pets, but also some new and long-awaited ones. There was a discussion about the design challenges faced, especially in maintaining nostalgic charm while incorporating modern art sensibilities.

TNT Ivy clarified that live UCs would be automatically converted, and users would receive a replacement item to maintain the same UC art style. The conversion would not require a pet to be painted a specific color, and no additional purchases would be needed.

Sosu and TNT Luna also joined the AMA to discuss the fan art program, which aims to support and promote fan artists who wish to sell their work on the site. The program has received a strong response, with over 100 applications submitted, and there are still a few weeks left to apply. The program also has strict requirements, including a shop with at least three listings dedicated to Neopets art.

Lastly, Dom addressed several community concerns, including progress on infrastructure improvements, an investigation into a past incident of item giveaway abuses, and ongoing efforts to combat cheating. Dom also confirmed plans to expand Neopets’ international presence and work on a more affordable global shipping system.

The AMA provided insight into the future of Neopets, with plans for more NC UCs, a revamped fan art program, and ongoing improvements to the site’s infrastructure and community engagement.

Dec 13

The December 2023 AMA, held on December 13, was a special “Holiday Edition” featuring Neopets CEO Dom Law, TNT Aesop, and Ben from Grundo’s Cafe, moderated by YouTuber Kevin from KevinoGaming. The event was streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter/X, with attendees receiving an exclusive Musical Igloo Snowglobe prize.

Dom Law discussed various topics, including the challenges of managing TNT and the rollout of the Hong Kong campaign. He addressed the Seasonal Attack Pea controversy, explaining the adjustment of its drop rate for better balance. He also confirmed staff changes, such as the departures of TNT Willow and Tally, and discussed plans for reintroducing valuable items like those in the Hidden Tower, while emphasizing the impact of botting.

Dom teased the launch of NeoPass, a new login system, in March, allowing side account linking and NC item transfers. He also acknowledged security issues, praising “neo_truths” for identifying risks and expressed TNT’s commitment to transparency. Dom addressed the closure of unlicensed merchandise projects and reassured fans that new licensed plushies are on the way, alongside a fan art program launching in January.

TNT Aesop shared his background and praised the nostalgic impact of the Advent Calendar and Stocking Stufftacular, while hinting at new plot developments. Ben from Grundo’s Cafe discussed the site’s mission to bring back early Neopets nostalgia, its growth challenges, and his desire for Neopets to adopt some of Grundo’s practices, such as patch notes and improved incentives.

The AMA ended with Dom emphasizing Neopets’ support for fan-run sites, expressing interest in certifying Grundo’s Cafe and helping users affected by freezes related to it.

Nov 15

The November 2023 AMA, held on November 15 to mark Neopets’ 24th anniversary, was an exciting event that featured key figures from the Neopets team. CEO Dom Law, support staffer Alice W. (Kikocat), Jellyneo’s Battlepedia admin macosten, and former TNT staffer Anthony Conley (Tiger Catcher) all participated, with Twitch streamer Lorie moderating the session. The AMA was simulcast on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter/X, and offered a special anniversary code, BIRTHDAY25LIVE, which could be redeemed for a limited time.

Dom shared an exciting roadmap for the future of Neopets, revealing plans such as the introduction of NC UC pets in January 2024, the re-launch of Island Builders, and a new initiative called “NeoPass” that aims to centralize player identities across Neopets platforms. Dom also discussed efforts to combat botting on the site, including freezing accounts linked to cheating and implementing CAPTCHAs to deter bots. When asked about the rotation of Quest Log prizes, Dom mentioned that there is no fixed schedule for rotations, as the team is still assessing its effectiveness in managing inflation. He also acknowledged the possibility of introducing a new Neopets species in the future, though it would require significant work to ensure compatibility with existing wearables.

During the event, Anthony Conley (Tiger Catcher), Neopets’ Art & Creative Advisor, spoke about his role in shaping the art direction of the site. He shared his enthusiasm for festive designs and his hope for a new species inspired by a dragon-cat hybrid. Alice W. (Kikocat) explained her work in handling support tickets, noting a significant improvement in account recovery success rates under the current policies. Alice also manages the Beauty Contest and Art Gallery as part of her community engagement. Macosten from Jellyneo talked about the site’s role in the Neopets community, focusing on the Battlepedia and its continuous updates, and expressed excitement about the future direction of the Neopets brand.

Throughout the AMA, Dom emphasized the importance of community feedback and expressed a desire to open new channels for direct communication with fans. The event offered a fascinating look at Neopets’ current and future plans, balancing nostalgia with innovative ideas as the team gears up for the 25th anniversary celebrations.

Oct 10

The October 2023 Neopets AMA, held on October 10, 2023, was led by CEO Dom Law and moderated by Jennard, the “Beeg Aisha” from SDCC 2023. The event was streamed across YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, and included giveaways of rare item codes for the Faerie Winged Headphones. The AMA covered several key topics, with Dom addressing ongoing community concerns and plans for improvements.

Dom discussed the Faerie Festival, acknowledging feedback and plans for future events, including leveraging Community Ambassadors for better event balance. He emphasized that inflation is a challenge, and while they don’t want to punish players for inflating items, they aim to make it harder to do so. Dom also talked about updates to account recovery processes, including stricter rules for high-value accounts and plans to improve customer support.

Regarding Premium, Dom confirmed the removal of the 4-month plan, focusing on enhancing perks, such as additional pet slots. Neopets is also exploring loyalty rewards for long-time players, including exclusive merchandise and early access to limited items. Updates to Neomail and Neoboard filters were discussed, though they are not a top priority. Additionally, the Ambassador program was highlighted, with over 700 applications and plans to begin a smaller “alpha program” soon.

Dom also touched on Neopets’ plans to attend international conventions, including SDCC and Gen Con in 2024, and discussed site performance challenges, like lag and errors. He mentioned the integration of a more unified team to address these issues and the continued push for better infrastructure. Lastly, the topic of additional pet slots was revisited, with plans to increase slots alongside the December UC Pets release.

Sept 6

The September 2023 Neopets AMA, hosted by CEO Dom Law and moderated by Willow and Ivy, focused on several key topics. Dom shared his background, including his journey with NetDragon and his vision for Neopets. He outlined three main goals: improving the site to retain returning players, expanding merchandise licensing, and modernizing the brand to appeal to a new generation. Transparency was emphasized, with plans for regular AMAs, an ambassador program, and improved monthly newsletters.

The AMA also addressed ongoing issues, such as the support team’s overwhelmed ticketing system. Dom announced updates to streamline support and ticket response times. On the Neocash UCs, he confirmed that the long-awaited UCs would arrive by December 2023, with new species-specific paint brushes available. While there are no immediate plans to fix the Battledome, Dom hinted at its inclusion in an upcoming plot. Neopets is also working on addressing botting and inflation, ensuring that returning players can earn Neopoints without affecting game balance.

Merchandise updates were discussed, including plans to expand availability outside the US and Canada, with a revamped NeopetsShop.com and new items planned for the 25th anniversary. Dom teased future merchandise ideas, like a Shoyru squishmallow. Other topics covered included the need to modernize Neomail, the state of the Altador Cup, and potential updates to Premium perks. Throughout, Dom emphasized that while many ideas are in the works, priorities are being set due to limited resources.

During the AMA, Dom gave away three codes for the Arcade Shoyru avatar, which were randomly distributed in the chat, and discussed plans for other community engagement activities moving forward.