A message from TNT Dom

Hello everyone! In today’s update, I’ll be addressing some community concerns and sharing exciting updates. Before we dive in, a quick note:

AMA Format Change: 

Over the past few months, we’ve been listening closely to community feedback about the AMA format. Many of you shared that the content didn’t feel engaging enough and that the segment with TNT Dom often felt too rehearsed or corporate, leaving some topics insufficiently addressed.

In response, we’ve been working on format changes to better meet your expectations:

• Monthly Blog Articles
  • To address your concerns more thoroughly and in a timely manner, we will now publish monthly blog articles. These articles will focus on community concerns and provide detailed updates on products, events, and community initiatives. They’ll serve as a comprehensive summary of key updates while tackling your most pressing questions.
• Podcast AMA Segment
  • The AMA will move to a pre-recorded segment featured in our monthly Neopets podcast. This new format allows us to present news, updates, and community engagement in a shorter, more casual, and conversational way. By incorporating the AMA into the podcast, we aim to make the content more entertaining and organic while still addressing your questions.

We’re confident these changes will make our updates more valuable, engaging, and aligned with what you’ve asked for. 

Part A: Community Questions & Answers

Is Neopets planning a “Rugpull”?

No. Our focus remains on growing the brand and improving the player experience. The passionate TNT team working on Neopets Classic has more than doubled in size over the past two years, and we are working hard to deliver our promise to revive the site.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team has been focused on rebuilding the brand through licensing, collaborations, and other initiatives to ensure Neopets remains relevant and exciting. Our commitment to the community and the future of Neopets is unwavering.

Is Neopets making money with NC releases but not improving the site?

This is a fair concern, and we want to provide more clarity. While it may seem like we are only focused on NC releases, the reality is that we have different teams working simultaneously on engineering, site improvements, and NC releases. In fact, the team working on engineering and site improvement is much larger than the team working on NC.

However, many site and quality improvements may be less obvious because they are tied to fixing issues on an older tech stack, which takes time. For example, we recently improved website loading speed by 35%, a quality-of-life update we hope you’ve noticed and appreciated. We’re continually working on bug fixes, anti-botting initiatives, and more to ensure a smoother, more enjoyable player experience.

Every dollar we make from NC releases and other revenue streams is poured back into Neopets, helping us grow our team and brand. This includes funding events, collaborations, and further development. While we are still a loss-making company, we’re on a much better trajectory compared to two years ago. In fact, we’ve had two months where we broke even, a promising sign for the future.

Kindly share your questions using the form below, and we may feature them in our next update.

Part B: Our Latest Key Updates

1. Get Ready for the Revamped NC Mall!

Neopians, something exciting is just around the corner! The NC Mall is set to undergo a major overhaul later this year, around late Q2 to Q3 2025. While we're gearing up for the grand launch of the revamped mall, we're excited to offer you a sneak peek of what’s coming. With new and redesigned features, polished designs, and a smoother shopping experience, it's a whole new way to shop in Neopia. Plus, a handy tutorial will guide you through all the updates, ensuring you're ready to dive in when it goes live!

What’s New?

Here’s a quick look at some of the exciting features coming to the new NC Mall:

• Your Wishlist Is Easier To Find!
  • Tired of forgetting which items caught your eye? With the redesigned Wishlist feature, you can save items for later with just a click. No more hunting through endless racks, your favourite finds will be right at your fingertips!
• One-Click Purchasing!
  • Shopping made simple! For those who like to grab and go, the new one-click purchasing option is a game-changer. Prefer to browse and take your time? The cart option is still available for all your bulk shopping needs.
• Mobile Pet Preview Has Moved!
  • Mobile shoppers, take note: the Pet Preview feature has relocated! Now it’s even easier to see how items will look on your pet before you buy them. A quick preview is just a tap away.
• Reorganised Shops!
  • We’ve revamped the shop directory to make everything easier to find. Your favourite shops are now more accessible than ever, no need to wander the halls.
• Meet the New Shopkeepers!
  • Say hello to a fresh roster of shopkeepers! They’re ready to make your shopping experience as enjoyable as possible, so don’t be shy, stop by and introduce yourself.

Stay tuned for the official launch in late Q2 to Q3 2025! With the revamped NC Mall, shopping in Neopia has never been more fun or convenient. Don’t forget to check out the walkthrough tutorial when it’s live, so you can make the most of all the fantastic new features. Get ready to shop ‘til you drop, Neopians!

2. Major Improvements to Neopets Website Loading Speed!

We’re excited to share that Neopets.com has seen a 35% improvement in website loading speed since January 2025! This progress is the result of strategic optimizations, such as removing low-performance ad partners, along with major backend enhancements like optimizing database queries, cleaning up records, and upgrading servers. These improvements have significantly enhanced the website’s performance, making your Neopian experience smoother and more enjoyable.

What Does This Mean for You?

• Faster Loading Times: Whether you’re shopping in the Marketplace, battling in the Battledome, or exploring, pages now load more quickly.
• Smoother Gaming: Enjoy a seamless experience as you navigate through Neopia, play games, and care for your Neopets.
• More Time for Fun: Less waiting means you can spend more time focusing on the activities you love, from restocking to battling legendary foes.

While we’re thrilled with these improvements, we know there’s still more to do. We’re committed to continuing our efforts to enhance performance, including streamlining systems to ensure data is well-organized and implementing additional measures to keep the website secure. Thank you for your patience and support as we work to make Neopets.com the best it can be!
 

3. Our Anti-Botting Progress and Future Plans!

Our Journey Continues: A Safer Neopia!
Since the fourth quarter of 2024, we’ve been diligently planning and enhancing our systems to create a safer, fairer Neopia for all our users. This ongoing initiative has been pivotal in ensuring that your genuine adventures remain uninterrupted while effectively minimizing unwanted bot activity. Preliminary results from our assessment indicate a ~15% reduction in bot traffic with these improvements, and we continue to monitor and optimize our systems to ensure a better experience for everyone.

Impressive Results Already!
Our efforts have already made a significant impact. By blocking bot traffic at the network level, we have successfully intercepted millions of unwanted bot interactions. This proactive measure has not only reduced the strain on our servers but also improved the overall performance and security of Neopia, ensuring a safer and more reliable experience for everyone.

What’s Next?
We're not stopping here! We’ll continue refining our approach, actively monitoring and addressing areas that need more attention. We’re gearing up to further tighten our defenses with more sophisticated rules and tougher consequences for suspicious activities. Our goal is to ensure Neopia remains a fun, fair, and fast world for every explorer and adventurer.

Thank you for your unwavering support as we continue to improve and secure Neopia. Together, let’s look forward to more safe, exciting, and seamless adventures in Neopia!

4. Neopian Task Force: Play Fair! & Updates on Moderation Policies and Chat Guidelines

The Neopian Task Force: Play Fair! is our new campaign dedicated to ensuring fair gameplay and protecting the integrity of Neopia. This collaborative effort by The Neopets Team (TNT) focuses on combating cheating, botting, score manipulation, exploit abuse, and real-world trading to maintain a fun and balanced experience for all players.

Key Initiatives

• Updated Site Rules: Clearer, more transparent rules to help players understand what is and isn’t allowed.
• ‘Report A Player’ Feature: A new Help Center category for reporting suspicious activity or harmful behavior directly to TNT.
• Proactive Monitoring: Enhanced detection and enforcement tools to prevent cheating and botting before it disrupts gameplay.
• Combatting Account Hacking: Improved security measures to protect user accounts.
• Community Collaboration: Encouraging players to report suspicious activity, avoid real-world trading, and spread the word about fair play.

How You Can Help

• Play fair and follow the updated rules.
• Report suspicious activity via the new Help Center category.
• Avoid real-world trading to protect Neopia’s economy and fairness.
• Share these guidelines to promote awareness among fellow Neopians.

As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a safe and engaging community environment, we have been diligently updating our moderation policies and chat guidelines. These updates are crucial in ensuring that all interactions within Neopia remain respectful, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.

We are committed to continuously refining these guidelines to better serve and protect our community. As we finalize the new policies, we want to assure you that we will keep you informed every step of the way.

This initiative is just the beginning, with updates to moderation policies, chat guidelines, and more in the pipeline. Together, the Neopian Task Force aims to keep Neopia a safe, fun, and fair world for everyone.

5. Neopets NC Bug Fix Update

We've also been hard at work resolving bugs affecting NC and NP items, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience for all Neopians. Here’s a summary of the recent fixes and upcoming updates:

Late April Bug Fixes

• Total NC Items Fixed: 14 items
  • Notable fixes include Spooky Goblet, Juice Splattered Top, Air Faerie Columns, and more.
• Total NP Items Fixed: 3 items
  • Items like Burlap Scorchio, Island Gelert, and Woodland Scorchio were corrected.

Bug Fixes Completed in May

• Total Wings Fixed: 8 pairs
  • This includes Glittery Zipper Wings, Shimmery Summer Wings, and others.
• Total Accessories and Face Paints Fixed: 12 items
  • Fixes include Deadly Poison Bottle, Glow in the Dark Facepaint, and more.

Scheduled Fixes by Mid - Late May

• Total Wings Scheduled for Fixing: 21 pairs

Upcoming fixes include Wings of Darkness, Autumn Leaf Wings, Evergreen and Holly Wings, etc. Fixes for the last three wings, including Purple Faerie Tale Wings, Sheer Blue Wings, and Colourful Feather Wings, are expected by Late May.

Stay tuned for even more improvements and updates. For more details on all the latest updates and release notes, please stay tuned here.

6. Join Faerie Frenzy Quest to Win Exclusive Rewards!

The Faerie Frenzy Quest in Neopets: Faerie Fragments is here, running from May 20 to June 19, 2025. This event is a fantastic opportunity for longtime fans to relive the nostalgia and for new players to dive in and start building their collections with some exclusive rewards.

Here’s what’s in store: Complete Level 23 in under 30 minutes to earn a Faerie Noilkeet and an Earth Faerie Mushroom. Plus, by inviting friends and hitting referral milestones, you can unlock amazing prizes like the Supreme Deluxe Faerie Queen Makeup & Contacts, Hair, Dress, and even a brand-new Exclusive Avatar.

Returning players who previously reached referral goals of 3, 5, 8, or 10 friends will also receive these rewards as a thank-you for being part of the Neopets community.

Starting May 22, don’t miss Tia’s Exchange Event, where you’ll have a chance to win one of the rarest items in Neopia—the Super Attack Pea (SuAP)—by collecting 3,000 Bronze Coins. This is the perfect event for anyone who loves classic rewards.

Be sure to join in and make the most of this faerie-filled adventure!

Part C: NC & Premium Membership Related Updates

1. The Styling Studio Restyle Has Arrived! 

The Styling Studio Restyle Paint is officially here, bringing endless possibilities to refresh your pet’s look, collect exclusive prizes, and explore stunning Royal Prismatic Styles. Whether you’re chasing rare NPC-inspired designs or experimenting with bold palettes, the Styling Studio is your ultimate destination for creativity.

What’s New at the Styling Studio?

Styling Studio Restyle Paint
Available now in the NC Mall for 300 NC (or in discounted bundles of 5 and 10), this paint allows you to trade in NC Style items for fresh NC Pet Styles, new prizes, or even rare collectibles!

Exclusive NPC-Inspired Styles

Introducing NPC Essences, which bring character-inspired looks to your pets! These styles have a low drop rate, but rest assured—you’re guaranteed to receive one after completing 15 restyles.

Featured NPC Essences include:

• Essence of Aurrick (Krawks)
• Essence of Edna (Zafaras)
• Essence of Hannah (Usul)
• Essence of Jeran (Lupes)
• Essence of Kelland (Techo)
• Essence of Lord Kass (Eyries)
• Essence of Lyra (Xweetoks)
• Essence of Nyx (Aishas)
• Essence of Sophie (Ixis)
• Essence of Vira (Acaras)

Royal Prismatic Styles
Transform your royal pets with dazzling Prismatic Dawn, Prismatic Dusk, and Prismatic Mirage Styles. These bold palettes will give your pets an unforgettable regal flair.

Head to the NC Mall today and start your restyling journey!

2. Retired Battledome Challengers and Cosmic Dome Rewards

Attention, Battledome enthusiasts! Starting May 26, 2025, the Battledome will welcome back four retired challengers exclusively for Neopets Premium users. These legendary foes, who once dominated Neopia’s most iconic storylines, are ready to test your might.

Prepare to Face These Iconic Challengers:

• Primary Grundo Bot RZ894
  • This robotic menace from the Return of Dr. Sloth plot is back and deadlier than ever.
• King Skarl
  • The grumpy ruler from the Champions of Meridell plot is here to prove his strength is unmatched.
• Scordrax
  • Straight from the sands of the Lost Desert, Scordrax is ready to unleash fiery chaos.
• Skeleton Warlord
  • Emerging from the icy depths of Hannah and the Ice Caves, this chilling foe is not to be underestimated.

Whether you’re battling these foes for the first time or reliving past encounters, each fight offers a unique challenge and the chance to earn exclusive Cosmic Dome rewards. Victories now come with treasures that are not only rare but tell the story of your triumphs in the arena.

Mark your calendars for May 26, these challengers won’t stick around forever!

Not a Premium Member Yet?

This is the perfect time to join! Premium membership unlocks exclusive access to legendary Battledome challengers, rare Cosmic Dome rewards, and dozens of perks to enhance your Neopets experience.

Part D: More Exciting Updates Coming to the Neopets Community!

Here’s a sneak peek at some thrilling events and launches happening in the coming months:

1. Late Q2 to Q3 Product Roadmap: 

• Altador Cup: The Grey Year
  • In response to player feedback, the Altador Cup for 2025 will be scaled down to a mini-event to ensure a more engaging and enjoyable experience. The Altador Cup Mini-Event will run from June 3 to June 30, featuring streamlined gameplay that allows players to dive into the action while we work on improving future iterations of the event. Check out the Altador Cup: The Grey Year FAQ for more details, and thank you for your patience and support as we reimagine this beloved Neopian tradition.
• Enhancements to Jhudora's and Illusen's Quests
  • We are thrilled to announce updates to the rewards for both Jhudora's and Illusen's quests, including exciting new Battledome items! Additionally, we’re introducing a new premium perk that grants extra time specifically for completing Jhudora’s and Illusen’s time-limited quests.
• Progress on NP/NC Item Conversions
  • Our efforts to convert Neopoints (NP) and Neocash (NC) items are well underway as part of an ongoing initiative. You can track our progress and see the completed conversions in our release notes. We're committed to ensuring a seamless and integrated experience for all players.
• Expansion of the Avatar High Score Table
  • We're expanding the Avatar High Score Table to enhance your gaming experience! This update will showcase more players in the rankings, fostering a competitive and engaging community while increasing opportunities to earn the 'Avatar Collector' avatar.
• Introduction of Invisible Pets to Customisation Spotlight
  • In an exciting development for pet customisation enthusiasts, we will soon be adding Invisible Pets to the Customisation Spotlight.
• Updates to the Trading Post
  • We’re working on updates to the Trading Post, our goal is a complete page conversion.
• The Void Within: Episode 2 - Lost in the Dark
  • After a brief respite, Nyx and the gang are ready to continue their pursuit of Vira and the Grey Painter. Prepare to join our heroes as they face the sinister shadow spreading across Neopia in The Void Within: Episode 2 - Lost in the Dark! Get ready for an epic adventure!

2. Late Q2 to Q3 Marketing Updates: 

• Upper Deck - Champions of Meridell TCG Launch
  • In June 2025, as we release the much-anticipated Champions of Meridell Trading Card Game. Collect, trade, and battle with cards featuring your favourite Meridell Legends!
• Neopets at SDCC 2025
  • Join us from July 24-27, 2025, at San Diego Comic-Con with a new display on the show floor, an exciting merchandise lineup, new collaborations with partners, and an exclusive meetup for Neopets convention attendees.
• Tsun Scoops - New Limited Edition Merchandise
  • In August 2025, keep an eye out for Tsun Scoops, a limited-edition line of Neopets merchandise. These unique items are a must-have for all collectors and fans.
• ACMI Presents: Game Worlds
  • From September 18, 2025, to February 8, 2026, Neopets will be featured in the ACMI Game Worlds exhibition alongside other iconic games, such as World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment), The Sims (Electronic Arts) and Hollow Knight. Enjoy playable demos and exclusive insights into the world of Neopia. The Neopets Team (TNT) will also be present at the kickoff party and on the launch day, September 17-18, to celebrate the opening of this exciting exhibition!

Your Neopian Adventure Awaits!

From Styling Studio makeovers to epic Battledome battles, faster website performance, updated moderation policies, enhanced chat guidelines, anti-botting measures, exciting events, and a host of NC bug fixes, May 2025 is set to be an unforgettable month in Neopia.

Looking ahead to late Q2 to Q3 2025, don’t miss the revamped NC Mall! Whether you’re refreshing your pets’ style, taking on legendary foes, or joining vibrant community events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Stay Tuned for Updates!

Please keep an eye on our official communications and upcoming newsletters for detailed announcements regarding these updates. We value your participation in our community and look forward to implementing these enhanced measures to improve your experience in Neopia.

Your feedback and cooperation are vital to us as we strive to make Neopia the best possible place for all users. Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we work towards these improvements.