Cryptid Pets is a free downloadable game that allows you to raise a “cryptid” from an egg, train it by interacting with it, and eventually take it on-line to meet other cryptids. It is the owner’s responsibility to take care of their cryptid and the cryptid will grow and evolve in response to the way it is treated. Cryptids can become injured, overweight, underweight, depressed, and hyperactive and develop their own personalities over time.
I started making this game documentation when I found a niche in the virtual pet industry. Through further research I confirmed my beliefs that no existing virtual pet game featured pets that weren’t cute and cuddly. There were many groups of young adults (between the ages of 7 to 18) who would like a virtual pet, but would like their pet more quirky, more ferocious, or more experimental than the current set of pets available.
I sketched up some monster designs, which I later dubbed ‘Cryptids’ (referring to a creature whose existence has been suggested but not demonstrated scientifically), and redrew them digitally. I created faux screenshots, gadgets/widgets and packaging.
The project began slowly but really picked up as I went on. My final designs were a huge improvement over my prototypes – and in the process I think I developed my knowledge on game and packaging design greatly.
I know I would prefer a gryphon or a bunyip over a puppy any day.
