EP.10 Lessons From Neopets: Secrets to Successful Kids Content

Neopets is a wildly successful kids game, it taught people how to code, had a thriving economy, and people still love the game today. What made the game so popular and what is the secret sauce to creating engaging kids content?

We talk to Natalie Odien, game designer and current Design Director with over 15 years of experience, about her time on Neopets and how making games for kids is different (or not) from her work on titles like DC Heroes United. Natalie sheds some light on the difference between designing “for kids” vs. designing “family-friendly” content and how respecting young players creates lifelong fans.