ConfPad

Neopets is probably one of the Web 1.0’s greatest achievements. The fact that it was created during that time means that its original features rely on older technology that’s more commonly understood now, making it a prime target for automation at the hands of junior programmers. Neopets is a browser game about taking care of virtual pets. Fortunately, it’s comprised of php activities that you interact with by making HTTP requests - something that scripts are great at doing as well as browsers. In my talk, “Taking the Fun Out of Everything: Automating Neopets,” I’ll talk about collaborating with the ghosts of people with similar ideas by forking their abandoned repos, building on frameworks with the aim of applying more technical ideas later, and banging your head against the wall when “they could have just made the game do this.” I’ll close by mentioning some similar games that the audience can take the fun out of for themselves.