Meta introduces a Tamagotchi-style AI pet
The new Meta Waddle World app brings back the idea of classic Tamagotchi-style pets with artificial intelligence features. Users can hatch a virtual pet, feed it, play with it and share their daily experiences through text or voice.
Unlike a traditional virtual pet game, Waddle World uses AI to help its digital companion learn from interactions. The pet turns these conversations into first-person journal entries, often accompanied by illustrations, creating a personal record of its experiences with the user.
How Waddle World Works
The AI virtual pet app is designed to offer a relaxing experience rather than a competitive gaming environment. Users can interact with their pets, enjoy mini-games and receive weekly emails summarising what their digital companions have learned about them.
Meta has also avoided features such as daily login streaks and high-score pressure, which are common in many mobile games. The approach appears aimed at making the experience more casual and personal.
The Meta AI app experiment is currently available for free on iOS and Android, but access is limited to the Philippines. The company has not announced when it will launch in other countries.
The virtual pet game is intended for adults aged 18 and above. Its focus on personal conversations and AI-generated diary entries makes it different from conventional pet-raising games, where users mainly complete tasks to keep their characters happy.
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Meta Expands Its AI Experiments
Waddle World is part of Meta’s broader efforts to explore new ways of using artificial intelligence in consumer products. The company has also experimented with other AI-powered services, including Pocket and Vibes.
Reports have separately suggested that Meta is developing a physical device inspired by Tamagotchi-style virtual pets. However, no confirmed connection between that reported device and Waddle World has been established.
The launch comes as AI companion services face growing scrutiny over their possible effects on users, particularly teenagers. Legal cases involving AI chatbot companies have raised concerns about emotional dependence and potential harm to young people.
Meta has not confirmed whether these concerns influenced its decision to restrict Waddle World to adults.
For now, the AI virtual pet app offers a new way to combine casual gaming with personalised AI interactions. Its limited availability means most international users will have to wait for further announcements.
