Social gamer Zynga has acquired GoPets, a gaming company that lets people create and train virtual pets, according to Virtual Goods News. We’ve reached out to Zynga for confirmation.

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The deal adds a desktop-based game that’s not tethered to any specific social network to Zynga’s roster, as users can download their pets directly to their computer. Their pets can also “visit” other users’ computers, and buy virtual accessories. GoPets was founded in 2004 by Erik Bethke; in November 2006, John Malone’s Liberty Media (NSDQ: LINTA) purchased a stake in the company. This is Zynga’s second acquisition of a smaller player in the virtual worlds space; it bought virtual environment simulator MyMiniLife in August.