Wildworks is killing animal jam slowly

As a returning veteran player, I wanted to share my perspective on Animal Jam Classic and some of the issues I’ve noticed since rejoining the game. While I know many others have voiced similar concerns, I believe it's important to contribute to the conversation.

I recently started playing again after being unable to recover my old account, meaning I had to start from scratch. While I won’t delve into the trading system (since that’s an entirely separate discussion) I do want to address quests, lore, biomes, and the availability of certain animals.

Quests Currently, the only quest worth completing is The Forgotten Desert. However, it's locked behind a membership paywall, making it inaccessible to non-members who are trying to start fresh. Even for members, the rewards have become less valuable, as I’ve heard that spikes were removed from the prize pool.

I believe the game needs a new quest similar to TFD but accessible to both members and non-members. A fair solution could be a dual reward system, similar to the Egg Hunt event, where both groups receive prizes, but members receive exclusive rewards as an incentive for their support. This would maintain fairness while still acknowledging paying players.

Lore One of Animal Jam’s most exciting aspects was its lore and the community-driven theories surrounding it. However, there seems to be a lack of new lore updates, making the game feel stagnant. Part of what made Animal Jam engaging was its evolving story, and I would love to see fresh lore updates that reignite community discussions and theory crafting.

Biomes
The most recent biome addition was Balloosh, yet it remains largely unvisited. Additionally, there are two nearly empty ocean areas and one vacant land area. One idea that could add depth to the game would be underground biomes—such as ruins similar to those found in the Lost Temple of Zios. This could introduce new environments, lore, and exploration opportunities, revitalizing interest in the game.

Limited Animals
One of the most frustrating aspects of the game is the removal of certain animals. There are already limited options, even for members, but non-members are even more restricted—losing access to animals like the giraffe and, if I’m not mistaken, the rhino as well. Removing animals makes it harder for returning players to re-engage with the game, and it limits creativity in character customization.

The Shift to Play Wild
It’s clear that Animal Jam is pushing players toward Play Wild, but many of us who grew up with the original game are still eager to support and keep Animal Jam Classic alive. However, the game no longer receives the same level of attention and care that it once did.

I believe this decline is partially due to the downfall of the Jambassadors, who were once key content creators and promoters of the game. Without big Animal Jam content creators to generate excitement, there’s little to keep the community engaged.

Personally, Play Wild doesn’t appeal to me, the style and gameplay feel too different. While I understand that it’s designed for a younger audience, Animal Jam Classic could be maintained for older returning players while Play Wild continues to cater to newer, younger audiences. Balancing both games rather than prioritizing one over the other would help maintain player retention across different demographics.

Final Thoughts
It’s disheartening to see Animal Jam Classic slowly being phased out. This game was a huge part of my childhood, and I want to continue enjoying it. However, without meaningful updates, fresh content, and a commitment to its community, it’s difficult to stay engaged. I hope Animal Jam Classic receives the attention it deserves so that both returning veterans and new players can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

Thank for coming to my Tedtalk.