NEOPETS
http://www.neopets.com/refer.phtml?username=ringwormrulez
Neohomes FAQ
___
AUTHOR: Matthew Stephenson (Ringworm)
SYSTEM: Online Only/Web.
VERSION: 0.8
VERSION DATE: ~ 22 Oct 2005.
TYPE: In Depth FAQ.
Table of Contents:
See the code next to each entry below? It's there to make navigating this FAQ
much simpler. Press CTRL+F together, type the code next to the entry you are
looking for, and press enter twice. You'll be at the appropriate section.
Awesome. This method works in many programs I have tested it in, such as
Notepad and Microsoft Word. I'm sure it's similar in most programs though.
1. What's New in this Version?.............. NPNHNEW
2. Legal Info/ Contact details etc. ........ NPNHLEGAL
3. Introduction ............................ NPNHINTRO
4. Why build a Neohome? .................... NPNHWHY
5. Construction! ........................... NPNHCON
6. Furnishing! ............................. NPNHFUR
7. Extensions etc. ......................... NPNHEXT
8. Frequently Asked Questions .............. NPNHFAQ
9. Concluding Remarks ...................... NPNHCONCL
10. In the next update... ................... NPNHNEXT
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHNEW ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 1. What's New in this Version? ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
This is the initial version of the FAQ, and it's pretty much complete. Sure
there are probably some things I can add to it, but it's nice to have a guide
which won't require too much updating :).
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHLEGAL ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 2. Legal Info/ Contact details etc. ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
This FAQ is Copyright of Matthew Stephenson (Ringworm), 2005. The following
sites are the only ones that have permission to host ANY of my FAQs:
www.gamefaqs.com
www.neoseeker.com
Want to host this FAQ? Found it on another site not listed above? Let me know:
ringwormrulez[at]gmail[dot]com
I may let you host it. Ask. The only requirement is you post the ENTIRE FAQ,
UNEDITED. No changing any of it, and it has to be all there. Try to keep it
updated as well; the most recent version will always be found at GameFAQs.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION BEFORE HOSTING THIS! If not, you are in breach
of the law. Obviously, you can not make profit from this guide by selling it or
anything similar. Once again this is illegal. You can make a copy for personal
usage though if you're that way inclined. I got no problems with that. It's
your printer ink and paper you are wasting. Please think of the environment
before doing this though – you'll be destroying a small forest if you try to
print the entire file.
Got a question or got some info you feel should be included? There are a few
ways to contact me:
* Email: ringwormrulez[at]gmail[dot]com
* Neomail: send it to ringwormrulez, INCLUDE IN THE SUBJECT WHAT IT IS ABOUT.
This is probably the preferred method.
* GameFAQs message board: Put an ATTN topic on the neopets board
(http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/gentopic.php?board=916642) and I'll reply
ASAP, or somebody else will. My user name at GameFAQs is Ringworm, and I'm on
the site a few times a day normally.
I may take a while to respond, just letting you know. Also, make sure what you
want to ask is not covered already. Generally, I respond to anybody that needs
help. If I feel the FAQ makes it perfectly clear, and you just haven't read it
properly though, I may not. If I'm around, I should reply within a day or so.
IF YOU EMAIL ME: Include the game name, or something that makes it obvious what
it's about. I will NOT read ANY emails with attachments, or ones with no
subject line.
I'd like to take some time to thank the people that have helped with this
guide. Firstly, I'd like to thank all the staff at the neopets website for the
many hours of enjoyment I've had there. The webmasters that host this FAQ
should get a bit of credit too I guess, as you wouldn't be reading this
otherwise. I'd also like to thank you, the reader, for choosing this guide, and
I hope I helped in some way. Also, to all the people that have helped me since
when I first started, even that little bit, and there are WAY too many to list
here, I am eternally grateful towards. You rock!
All names, characters, and related material are Copyright of Neopets Inc.,
1999-2005. All references to information taken from other peoples work is shown
throughout the guide, as I don't want to make this section even longer.
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHINTRO ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 3. Introduction ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
You've been at the site for a while, started mastering all the games on the
site thanks to a handy guide written by that absolute legend Ringworm
(*cough*)... anyway, you've probably started to find a way to earn a supply of
Neopoints (called NP from here on). You may be looking for a way to spend these
right? You are? Great. Building and furnishing a Neohome is a great way to do
so, and is only really limited by your budget.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about Neohomes, and
probably a lot of stuff you didn't really want to know anyway. It's there
though for completion. Maybe somebody will find it useful, maybe...
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHWHY ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 4. Why build a Neohome? ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
There are a few reasons you may want to have a neohome, and I've listed the
main ones below:
* To win the Neohome Spotlight.
This is awarded once a week on Fridays. Basically, once you have completed
building and furnishing your neohome, you may enter it into a competition where
the Neopets staff will pick the one they consider to be the best. This user
then gets a nice trophy on their user lookup, and gets their name mentioned on
the news page. Quite a nice reward, but not easy to win. You will probably have
to spend a reasonable amount of NP if you intend to have a neohome good enough
to win. Entries for this can be made via the link on the pet central page.
* To make your user lookup a bit longer.
This is probably one of the main reasons I constructed a neohome. If you click
on your username at the top right of any screen in Neopets (assuming you are
logged in), you will see a list of information about your account. If you have
a neohome, it will list the address, the amount of rooms and any extensions you
have made – this can add up to seven lines to your user lookup! Impressive! Ok
not really, but I like it.
* To give your pets an actual home.
I don't think neopets NEED a home to live in, mine live quite happily in the
Neolodge. Sure saves looking after them. :) This may sound a bit cruel, but
really, I just don't have the time to feed them daily. If it was a real pet,
that's a different story. I can't stand cruelty to real animals. This may be
some people's main reason for building a neohome, I suppose.
* To blow a bit of your hard earned NP.
THE reason to build a neohome. Yes, the word THE is not emphasised enough in
that sentence, as this is really one of two reasons most people will want a
neohome. It's a bit hard to emphasise things in a text file though. You may
find yourself wanting to put a bit of NP into building your neohome, because if
you read my next reason...
* It can be quite fun designing your neohome!
Well that doesn't really fit the pattern, but it's the truth. Designing a floor
layout for your rooms, deciding on materials to build it with, realising you
forgot to add a bathroom, choosing furniture to add to the neohome – all this
and more are just some of the things you can do with a neohome.
* To get the "Robo" avatar.
If you are an avatar collector, and it seems most people are, you NEED to have
a neohome with at least one room to get this avatar. This was the reason I
first started on building a neohome, but I'd been thinking about it for a
while. To get the avatar, you need to put any of the items with the word "robo"
in its name into your neohome. I'll try to get a list of the items to include
here soon.
* To write a second FAQ for Neopets on a subject surprisingly not covered yet.
Oh wait. That's done now. Sorry. Hope you enjoy reading this as much as I
enjoyed writing it! I noticed a while ago there were no FAQ's on neohomes at
GameFAQs, so when the Robo avatar was released, I decided I should spend a bit
of NP on constructing my dream home so I could write this FAQ. I didn't expect
to find it quite as enjoyable as I have so far (it's a work in progress so far
– I haven't even really furnished it, let alone finished building the upper
floors and garden!)
There are probably other reasons as well, but this is more than enough to show
that this section of Neopets deserves to be looked at a bit more in depth. Now
it has been.
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHCON ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 5. Construction! ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
So you've decided to build a neohome. Can't find where to go to build one?
Click "Pet Central" on the left hand side of screen, then click on "neohome"
near the top right of screen. Easy. There are other ways to get here, such as
via the shop menu, but that's beside the point. As you start on the pet central
page every time you login, I thought this was the easiest way to get there.
First step is to choose a location for your neohome. Depending on the location
you choose, you may be spending anywhere from 1000 to 25000 NP. I'll list the
choices in a future update. After choosing a location, you will have to wait
somewhere between 6 and 24 hours to get a plot of land. I had to wait 10 hours,
and I am not sure of the EXACT times you can wait (it may be less than 6
hours), but it does say it can be up to 24 hours. Come back any time after this
time has run out and you and start to build. You have no say on the street
address, you can only choose the location for your home. You can sell the land
back if there are no rooms on the land, but will just be wasting NP by doing
this. Only do so if you chose the wrong location in the first place. Really, it
doesn't make much difference where you build, the ground just looks slightly
different.
You've got your land, now for your first room. To do so, click on the
"Add/Remove/Rename Room or Garden" link. This will bring up a 5 * 5 grid. You
will also see that you can build on up to three levels, but you can't build in
mid air – you need to build on the ground level first. You can only build rooms
on upper floors directly above other rooms on lower floors (obviously), and you
can only build gardens on the ground floor. I seriously suggest designing a
floor plan of how you want your home laid out before placing your first room
(draw it on paper or something). I've seen some peoples that haven't done this,
and it doesn't look very good. Click on one of the spaces on the ground floor
that you want to build.
Done this? Good. You should have had another window pop up. If you want this
square to be a garden, simply click that button and you can build a garden for
100 NP. This is only on the ground floor. If you want it to be a room, it's a
bit more difficult. You need to choose both a material for the room (a list
will be included in the next update) and which walls have doors in them. It's a
bit hard to go to another room without a doorway! Click the button to build
when you are happy with your choice. You will then have to wait around 6-10
hours for the room/garden to be constructed. Yes, construction is a slow
process, but it's much worse in real life, trust me! 6 hours is quite quick
really! Do the same process for any rooms/gardens you want. The extra cost
section is based on any extensions you have made – this can add up to 3410 NP
to the cost of each room.
After a room is constructed, you can name it by clicking on it. "Kitchen" or
"Bedroom" are good names, "Tom" or "Gohan25794329421" may sound like good names
to you, but they aren't overly helpful when you are trying to work out which
room to add furniture to. You can also choose what sort of room it is from this
menu, such as a lounge or a bathroom, and even choose to demolish the room
here. Demolishing will NOT get you any NP back, so make sure to choose wisely
when constructing!
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHFUR ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 6. Furnishing! ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
I'll keep this brief for now, and go into more detail when I have a bit more
experience with it. Basically, you click on any furniture or gardening item in
your inventory (to get to your inventory, click the number next to NP in the
top right corner). This will make a window pop up. Choose the room/garden you
want the item to go to (if the room hasn't been named, it's listed as "Unnamed"
– makes it hard to know which is which when there's about 30 rooms with the
same name). I'll let you figure out the rest for now.
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHEXT ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 7. Extensions etc. ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
Extensions become available once you start adding rooms to your neohome. They
are entirely optional, and have no visible effect. It looks good if you have
them all maxed out on your user lookup though (this costs a minimum of 40345
NP). The following table lists the number of rooms needed for each extension
option.
Rooms Extension Option
-------------------------
1 Carpet
2 Lighting
3 Insurance
4 Wallpaper
6 Central Heating
8 Security System
Each extension option can be upgrade multiple times, with the later upgrades
being better "quality", and also a lot more expensive. You do not need to
upgrade any, and you may only want to upgrade one category a few times. My
recommendation though is if you want to get these extensions, get them as soon
as they become available! You pay for each upgrade for every room in the house,
so as an example, if you wait until you have 20 rooms before upgrading the
carpet, each upgrade is 20 times as expensive as it would be than if you
upgraded with only one room (gardens count as rooms BTW).
Upgrade levels are as follows:
Carpet
Level Type Cost per room
0 Bare Floor 0
1 Dirt and Weeds 20
2 Straw 40
3 Linoleum 60
4 Wood 80
5 A nice Rug 100
6 Imitation Brick 120
7 Quality Carpet 150
8 Plush Carpet 200
9 Marble 350
Lighting
Level Type Cost per room
0 Darkness 0
1 Candles 25
2 Torches 50
3 Gas Lamps 100
4 Electric Lamps 150
5 Fashion Lamps 400
6 Chandeliers 850
Insurance
Level Type Cost per room
0 No Insurance 0
1 Basic Insurance 20
2 Sharky Insurance 50
3 Buzz-Extra Protection 75
4 Complete Chia Cover 120
5 Peophin Platinum 180
Wallpaper
Level Type Cost per room
0 Nothing 0
1 Nasty Ripped Paper 10
2 Cheap Blue Wallpaper 20
3 Green Pattern Wallpaper 30
4 Retro Wallpaper 40
5 Nice Patterned Wallpaper 50
6 Stainproof Wallpaper 60
7 Royal Wallpaper 80
Central Heating
Level Type Cost per room
0 Nothing 0
1 Basic Heating 10
2 Heat Lamps 20
3 A Warm Fireplace 50
4 Immersion Heating 100
5 Electric Radiators 300
6 Neo Heating System 450
Security System
Level Type Cost per room
0 No Security System 0
1 Clanking Cans 100
2 Barbed Wire 250
3 Iron Bars 650
4 Electro-Secure 1000
5 Satellite Security 1500
Note that when upgrading, you pay the cost per room, multiplied by the number
of rooms. When building a new room after that, the total of these extensions is
added as an extra cost. For example, if you have Iron Bars and Retro Wallpaper
extensions (only), the extra cost is 650 + 40, or 690 NP. You do not have to
pay the cost of the lower upgrades (such as Clanking Cans) again. This is why I
suggested upgrading as soon as possible if you are going to.
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHFAQ ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 8. Frequently Asked Questions ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
Got problems? Read the guide thoroughly. Couldn't find an answer there? Read
on, and you may find it here.
Q. What location/ what material should I use to build my Neohome?
A. Personal preference. For example, I chose to make my neohome location Terror
Mountain, so going with that theme, I made the rooms Iced. I could easily have
gone with a much cheaper option, such as cardboard, but I like it.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. Any tips for winning Neohome Spotlight?
A. Yes. Check previous winners of this. You'll see their rooms nearly always
have a lot of items in them. I haven't won it myself (yet), so obviously I
can't give great advice.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. Should I get any extensions?
A. Again, it's up to you. There is no visible affect when you look at the room,
and it means each room is more expensive to build, but it does look good on
your user lookup. I recommend getting each extension upgraded as far as you are
going to when they are first available, or you will spend a lot more than you
need to (as I learned the hard way).
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHCONCL ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 9. Concluding Remarks ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
This FAQ is not yet complete, yet I hope what is available so far helps you
understand the joys of owning your own piece of Neopia.
Version History:
0.8 (22/10/05) Initial Release.
=========================
[ _ _ ================================================================
[ | \_| | __ __ __ __ ___ __ ][ NPNHNEXT ]
[ | _ ||__ | ||__||__ | |__ ][ ]
[ |_| \_||__ |__|| |__ | __| ][ 10. In the next update... ]
[ ][ ]
=========================================================================
I intend to complete this FAQ within a few weeks. The next update should be the
complete version. Really, there is not much missing, just a few lists and a bit
more detail on adding and placing items into a neohome.
Copyright Matthew Stephenson (Ringworm) 2005.
