UPDATED: Webkinz Friends and Tail Town Friends Applications to shut down on August 31st 2014

[MissGnomie]

A new front page story has been added:

UPDATED: Webkinz Friends and Tail Town Friends Applications to shut down on August 31st 2014

Ganz has announced that the Webkinz Friends and Tail Towns Friends Applications will be shutting down on August 31st, 2014. This closure will affect both the Facebook and iPad versions of the game. While the application was popular with Webkinz Insider members, the application never found a large audience on Facebook or through the App store. Due to the lack of audience the development team experienced limitations in their "ability to add new content and give the game the attention it deserved."

As of Today (July 29th, 2014), Webkinz Friends & Tail Town Friends will no longer allow new players to sign up to play via Facebook or the App store. All payments have also been suspended due to the pending shut down. Current players, however, will be able to play as much as they desire as the energy requirements will be removed from the game.The prizes exclusive to Webkinz Friends will be added in due time to Webkinz World, to ensure that all members have the opportunity to enjoy them.


UPDATE (August 2nd @ 9:30am KT): We have received multiple reports of ads and news articles within Webkinz World directing members to the Webkinz Friends application. The ad featured on the left instructs WI member FIA to hold on to their pet's secret code in order to participate in Webkinz Friends. Members have also reported seeing daily News updates in Webkinz World mentioning exclusive prizes to be earned on Webkinz Friends.

While it may appear that GANZ is promoting the Webkinz Friends iPad app to members, we have no way to confirm that the application's shelf life will be extended in any way.

At this moment in time we can only reiterate that, based on the previous update provided by GANZ, the Webkinz Friends application will be shut down at the end of this month.

[aug2168]

I guess it is time to send over all my prizes I worked so hard to get, that will now be available for everybody to win.

[Kippyling]

So sad, but I guess this is the way that it happens. One day this will be the announcement for Webkinz too and then all the money spent on pets and Estore items will be gone. A sad day indeed!

[alt1981black]

I hope WW will continue to stick around. WKF seemed to take Ganz staffers away from WW, so now WKF and TTF are closing, maybe there's more hope for WW to bounce back?

[Babs]

So said to hear about the 2 games closing down but glad that they will incorporate the prizes into ww, wf prizes were great. Thanks for the updated info.
I hope this means that ganz will be focusing more on Webkinz, it does have some amazing games. He's hoping!

[bangkokyankee]

WOW Bummer to both games closing - just got back into them again

crossing my fingers that webkinz stays afloat.
had a few games close on me lately I guess that means real life is calling.

Half surprised about the news I had heard rumors Ganz was going to close the games but was hoping it would just be rumors

wonder what will happen with webkinz junior haven't ever play that one

time to get back to decorating the webkinz rooms and cleaning my dock

Bummer again I say


just wanted to add thanks to any players that I met in the game and helped me

[mom w charm]

WOW I spent a lot of time playing WKF & sent lots of prizes back to WW & berries etc..I quit playing about 3 months ago but lots of my Friends still played it!!
Thanks for the news !!

[designergirl101]

I am shocked they mentioned WI members! At least they hinted we actually exist!

It is sad about WF, I never got the chance to play........................... However, hopefully it will give them to time to make improvements to the Webkinz site! Assuming of course, they don't shut it down................................................. I would be fuming, if that happened!

Originally Posted by alt1981black

I hope WW will continue to stick around. WKF seemed to take Ganz staffers away from WW, so now WKF and TTF are closing, maybe there's more hope for WW to bounce back?

That is exactly what I was thinking! I do hope they don't shut it down with Mr. GANZ death..
That would be terrible..............................

[aerogrit]

Ok, I must admit that I wasn't expecting this one!! I know so many users who play both games, especially tail town friends. They are both really fun games!! The only draw back for me was how slow webkinz friends was. But I really enjoyed playing both games and I will be sorry to see them go. I'm hopeful, as others have expressed, that Ganz will now be able to concentrate on WW and continue to make improvements and keep the game running smoothly.

Thank you for keeping us posted!

[adrib]

Well, I am glad in a way because I would rather Ganz pour their creativity & money and effort into Webkinz World