Webkinz

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. Please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view. (May 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article is missing information about franchise's historical development. Please expand the article to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page. (May 2022) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Webkinz" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Webkinz

Type of site	Virtual plush toy world
Founded	2005; 19 years ago (2005)
Founder(s)	Ganz
URL	webkinz.com
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Required

Webkinz is a stuffed animal and video game franchise by the Canadian toy company Ganz. Webkinz stuffed animals have online counterparts in the video games Webkinz Classic and Webkinz Next.^[1] It was originally released by Ganz on April 15, 2005.^[2]

Each Webkinz toy has an attached tag with a unique "secret code" printed on it, allowing its owner to play with a digital version of their pet on iOS, Android, and desktop computers. Sales of Webkinz plush toys are limited to the United States and Canada, but international users can buy virtual pets from the Ganz eStore. Plush toys made after October 2020 contain two secret codes for Webkinz Classic and Webkinz Next, respectively.

In 2006, Webkinz Classic achieved one million concurrent players. During this same year, according to one estimate published in Wired, Webkinz generated approximately $100 million in revenue.^[3] Ganz updated Webkinz Classic in 2015 to Webkinz X, a version that created a safer environment for young players.^{[citation needed]} In October 2020, Ganz unveiled Webkinz Next, a 3D spin-off with different social features.^[4]