Yeah i'm also a bit surprised that "virtual pets" aren't larger today.

Maybe i just don't follow the gaming market enough but games with a simple interface, with a creature that you care for, that grows and lives 24/7 and that can "do things" with other creatures seems like quite the market.

Many people find the "character creator" and just "walking around a aimlessly" in games the most interesting thing, and spend little time playing the actual game.

Maybe these things have been explored in the crossovers between VR Chat, Pokemon Go, Spore, Animal Crossing etc.