Reading today about MOPy Fish, a #VirtualPet #screensaver from HP released in 1997. MOPY Fish was downloaded over 10 milion times by the year 2000, landing it a spot as the "Most Downloaded Cyberpet" in Guinness World Record's 2001 edition.

MOPy Fish is a fairly uninspired simulator of a single fish, which must be fed and cared for regularly by the user, or it will become unhappy and starve. However, it has an unusual feature as well: MOPy Fish tracks how many different documents you've printed, awarding you MOP ("Multiple Original Printout") points which you can spend on accessories for the fishtank.

That's right: print more documents to earn a thermometer or a plant for your virtual fish! I assume this was driven by marketing as a way to get people to use their HP printers more - and in the process, buy more ink :)

#MOPyFish