World of Neopia, the company behind Neopets, has ended its licensing agreement with Geekify Inc. effective immediately. The decision follows controversy over a tabletop RPG project that raised over $400,000 on Kickstarter but deviated from the brand's family-friendly image in its playtest materials.
The termination was announced in a statement on the Neopets website on March 11, 2026. World of Neopia cited a review of its partnerships to ensure alignment with long-term goals and standards for official licensed products. "After careful consideration, we have made the decision to terminate our license agreement with Geekify, effective immediately," the statement read. It acknowledged Geekify's past contributions, including various licensed Neopets products, but emphasized the need to cease this specific project.
The controversy stems from the Neopets tabletop RPG, developed by Geekify. The project successfully crowdfunded around $425,000 on Kickstarter, promising a adaptation focused on exploration, puzzle-solving, and pacifistic solutions reflective of the original browser game. However, playtest materials released earlier this year were criticized as resembling a Dungeons & Dragons derivative, with an emphasis on combat and content not aligned with Neopets' family-friendly charm. Neopets had requested the removal of these unauthorized materials.
Development issues reportedly included a one-year delay in releasing the playtest beyond the advertised timeline. A report mentioned allegations that Geekify's CEO had not paid certain designers and workers, though these claims remain unverified by Neopets. As a result, World of Neopia plans to implement more robust processes for assessing licensees to improve quality and reliability.
The future of the RPG is uncertain, with Neopets describing its interest as exploratory. Backers are directed to contact Geekify through Kickstarter or customer support for updates, refunds, or pledges. Geekify has not yet responded publicly but has muted its Discord server amid inquiries, promising an update on the Kickstarter page soon.