Ubisoft is serious about Petz

Throwing even more resources into their casual initiative (which has so far produced games that range from the excellent to the execrable), Ubisoft has acquired Japanese developer Digital Kids. In addition to having a company name that is really hard to search for, it looks like Digital Kids is responsible for part of the Petz series of pet simulators, including Hamsterz Life.

For what it's worth, Hamsterz Life is the only game in which virtual hamsters will carry on conversations with you in English, rather than responding in the manner of an actual pet. That sort of makes Hamsterz Life less like other Petz games and more like Seaman. IGN called it "weird, off-the-wall, funny, and home to several enjoyable bits of off-kilter gameplay." So, maybe, if Ubisoft must continue releasing these Petz games, it's for the best if they choose Digital Kids to do it.