Eccky is an online life simulation game, in which two people come together to create an raise a virtual baby. Created by Dutch developer Media Republic in association with MSN the Netherlands, Eccky brings together characteristics of other life simulation and virtual pet games (such as Tamagotchi, NeoPets, GoPets, and the Sims) but is unique in two important aspects: first, the virtual baby, or Eccky, is born on the basis of information derived from both Eccky user parents, and second, Eccky has a unique chat capability never before seen in existing life simulation and virtual pet games. That is, thanks to an AIML chatbot and via MSN Messenger, Eccky parents can actually chat with their Eccky. Thanks to Eccky's huge succes in 2005 and 2006 Eccky has now become an independent company as a subsidiary of Media Repuplic.