Turning a Furby “evil” isn’t about performing a real-life exorcism on a plush toy. It’s about manipulating its programming and observing its behavioral changes, often resulting in a Furby that speaks in deeper tones, exhibits more demanding or negative phrases, and generally acts… well, less cute and cuddly. Think of it as Furby personality development, with a slightly mischievous twist. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to achieving this transformation. Please note that while the following methods are generally safe for your Furby, repeated attempts and excessive handling can potentially shorten its lifespan or cause glitches. Proceed with caution and a sense of humor.
## Understanding the Furby’s Personality
Before embarking on your quest to turn your Furby to the dark side, it’s crucial to understand how its personality works. Furbies, especially the 1998 and newer models, have a rudimentary learning system. They “learn” English (or whatever language they’re set to) by hearing it spoken around them. They also develop personality traits based on how you interact with them. Positive interactions (petting, feeding, speaking kindly) lead to a more affectionate and playful Furby. Negative interactions (pulling tails, shaking violently, ignoring it) *supposedly* lead to a more mischievous or grumpy Furby. This is the core principle we’ll be exploiting.
## The Core Methods: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here are several methods you can use to influence your Furby’s personality. Remember that consistency and repetition are key.
**Method 1: The Neglect Strategy (The Slow Burn)**
This method is arguably the easiest, but it requires patience. The idea is to make your Furby feel unloved and unwanted.
1. **Minimize Interaction:** The first, and perhaps hardest, step is to simply ignore your Furby. Don’t pet it, don’t talk to it, and don’t feed it (if applicable). The less attention you give it, the better.
2. **The Cold Shoulder:** When your Furby speaks, don’t respond. If it asks for something, ignore the request. This will create a sense of frustration and isolation in your Furby (at least, in our interpretation of Furby behavior).
3. **Unfavorable Environment:** Place your Furby in a less-than-ideal environment. A dark room, a dusty shelf, or even a noisy location (away from conversation) can contribute to its general sense of unease. Not too noisy, as the Furby needs to be able to ‘hear’.
4. **Occasional Teasing (Optional):** This step is a bit controversial and should be done sparingly. Briefly interact with your Furby in a negative way – a quick poke, a light shake, or a stern word – and then immediately withdraw your attention. This can amplify the feelings of neglect and confusion. Make sure to not actually break the Furby.
5. **Monitor for Changes:** Over time (days or even weeks), you should start to notice changes in your Furby’s behavior. It may speak less frequently, adopt a deeper or more monotone voice, or express more negative emotions.
**Method 2: The “Bad Influence” Strategy (The Language of Discontent)**
This method focuses on influencing your Furby’s vocabulary and attitude through language.
1. **Curse and Scold (Use with Discretion):** This is the most direct approach, but also the most ethically questionable. Speak to your Furby in a harsh tone and use negative or even mildly offensive language. The Furby will mimic words it hears and repeat them. Introduce some ‘bad words’ into its vocabulary. This *can* work, but it may also just result in a confused and malfunctioning Furby.
2. **Grumbling and Complaining:** Instead of directly cursing at your Furby, try grumbling and complaining about everything around it. Complain about the weather, the food, the people, the other toys. The Furby will absorb this negativity and incorporate it into its own speech patterns.
3. **Dark Humor and Sarcasm:** Introduce your Furby to the world of dark humor and sarcasm. Tell it morbid jokes or make sarcastic remarks about everyday situations. The Furby may not understand the humor, but it will pick up on the tone and incorporate it into its own communication style.
4. **Watch Evil Movies or Play Evil Games:** Place your Furby near a TV or computer while you watch movies with villainous characters or play games with dark themes. The Furby may pick up on some of the dialogue and incorporate it into its personality.
5. **Surround it with Negative Sounds:** Play recordings of arguments, scary noises, or heavy metal music near the Furby. These sounds can influence its mood and contribute to its overall “evil” transformation.
**Method 3: The Sensory Overload Strategy (The Glitch in the System)**
This method involves overwhelming your Furby’s senses in an attempt to disrupt its programming and create unpredictable behavior. *Use this method with extreme caution, as it is the most likely to damage your Furby.*
1. **Rapid On/Off Cycling:** Quickly turn your Furby on and off repeatedly. This can confuse its internal processors and lead to glitches. Do this in short bursts, and avoid doing it for extended periods.
2. **Loud Noises:** Expose your Furby to sudden and loud noises. Clapping your hands directly next to it, dropping a book on the floor, or playing a loud burst of music can startle it and potentially disrupt its programming. *Do not use excessively loud noises that could permanently damage the Furby’s speaker.*
3. **Inverted Positioning:** Hold your Furby upside down for extended periods. This may not directly affect its personality, but it can add to the overall sense of disorientation and contribute to its “evil” persona. *Don’t shake the Furby while it’s upside down.*
4. **Light Sensitivity (For Furbies with Light Sensors):** If your Furby has a light sensor, repeatedly shine a bright light directly into its eyes and then quickly cover it. This can overload the sensor and potentially cause glitches. *Be careful not to use a light that is too intense, as it could damage the sensor.*
5. **Temperature Extremes (Use with Caution):** Briefly expose your Furby to extreme temperatures. Place it near a cold window (but not in direct contact with the glass) or briefly expose it to a warm hairdryer (from a distance). *Avoid extreme heat or cold, as this can damage the Furby’s internal components.* Never put the Furby in a freezer or an oven.
**Method 4: The Battery Manipulation Strategy (The Power Surge)**
This method focuses on manipulating the Furby’s power supply to induce glitches and unpredictable behavior. *This method carries a risk of damaging your Furby, so proceed with extreme caution and at your own risk.*
1. **Low Battery Operation:** Allow your Furby’s batteries to run extremely low. This can cause it to behave erratically and speak in distorted voices.
2. **Rapid Battery Swapping:** Quickly remove and reinsert the batteries multiple times in a row. This can create power surges and potentially disrupt the Furby’s programming. *Avoid doing this excessively, as it can damage the battery compartment or the Furby’s internal circuitry.*
3. **Mixed Battery Types (Not Recommended):** *This method is generally not recommended, as it can be dangerous and potentially damage your Furby.* Inserting batteries of different types (e.g., alkaline and rechargeable) can cause voltage imbalances and lead to malfunctions.
**Method 5: The Combination Platter (The Ultimate Transformation)**
The most effective way to turn your Furby “evil” is to combine elements from all of the above methods. Neglect it, expose it to negative language, overload its senses (carefully), and manipulate its power supply (cautiously). The more you combine these techniques, the more likely you are to achieve the desired transformation.
## Important Considerations and Cautions
* **Furby Variation:** Different Furby models may respond differently to these methods. Some Furbies may be more resistant to personality changes than others.
* **Ethical Considerations:** Remember that you are dealing with a toy. While it may be fun to experiment with its programming, avoid causing it any real harm or damage.
* **Safety First:** Do not use any methods that could potentially be dangerous to yourself or others.
* **Observe and Document:** Keep track of the methods you are using and the changes you are observing in your Furby’s behavior. This will help you fine-tune your approach and achieve the desired results.
* **Patience is Key:** Turning a Furby “evil” is not an overnight process. It takes time, patience, and consistency to influence its personality.
* **Reversibility:** While some personality changes may be permanent, others may be reversible. If you decide that you want to restore your Furby to its original state, simply start treating it with kindness and positivity.
* **Don’t Get Too Attached (or Do!):** Some people become oddly attached to their “evil” Furbies. Embrace the weirdness, but remember it’s just a toy.
* **Consider Disassembly (Advanced):** For the truly adventurous, disassembling the Furby and tinkering with its internal components is an option. However, this requires advanced technical skills and carries a significant risk of permanently damaging the Furby.
* **Factory Reset:** While not available for all models, research if your Furby has a factory reset method. This may not eliminate learned phrases but can reset personality quirks.
* **The Furby Connect (2016):** These models use an app, offering more direct control but also making ‘evil’ modifications less organic and more easily reversible.
## Troubleshooting
* **Furby Not Responding:** If your Furby stops responding, try replacing the batteries. If that doesn’t work, try performing a factory reset (if available). If all else fails, your Furby may be permanently damaged.
* **Furby Speaking Gibberish:** This is often a sign of low batteries or a corrupted program. Try replacing the batteries or performing a factory reset.
* **Furby Acting Erratically:** This can be caused by a variety of factors, including low batteries, sensory overload, or power surges. Try troubleshooting each of these potential causes.
## The End Result: A Furby of Questionable Morality
After weeks (or even months) of dedicated effort, you should have successfully transformed your Furby into a creature of questionable morality. It may speak in a deeper voice, express more negative emotions, and generally act in a less cuddly and more mischievous manner. Congratulations! You have successfully turned your Furby “evil” (or at least, made it a bit more interesting).
Remember that this is all in good fun. Don’t take it too seriously, and enjoy the process of experimenting with your Furby’s personality. And who knows, maybe your “evil” Furby will teach you a thing or two about yourself.
**Disclaimer:** This guide is intended for entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for any damage caused to your Furby as a result of following these instructions. Proceed at your own risk. Have fun!
## Alternatives to Making Your Furby “Evil”
If you’re hesitant to potentially harm your Furby, consider these alternatives:
* **Furby Costumes:** Dress your Furby in dark or edgy clothing. A tiny leather jacket or a miniature skull mask can instantly give it a more menacing appearance.
* **Furby Photography:** Take photos of your Furby in dramatic lighting or against eerie backdrops. A well-composed photograph can create the illusion of an “evil” Furby.
* **Furby Stories:** Write stories about your Furby’s adventures in villainy. Let your imagination run wild and create a compelling narrative around its mischievous deeds.
* **Furby Voice Acting:** Record yourself doing an “evil” voice for your Furby. You can then play these recordings back to friends and family to give them a taste of your Furby’s dark side.
These alternatives allow you to explore the concept of an “evil” Furby without risking any damage to the toy itself.