Club Penguin is an online multiplayer game for kids and ran from 2005 to 2017. It was shut down by Disney after a dramatic decrease in users, but copycat sites and versions have been put up since. Essentially in the game, the user gets to explore a fun, snowy world as a penguin and play various mini-games as well as customize their penguin avatar and igloo.
- Created by New Horizon Interactive and RocketSnail Games → bought by Disney and turned into Disney Interactive Studios in August 2007
- Launched October 24, 2005 from Kelowna, B.C. Canada
- Lance Priebe, Lane Merrifield, and Dave Krysko formed Club Penguin –> wanted to create something with social components but was safe for children
- Lead Brand Designer –> Keely Portsmouth
- Tone words: friendly, authentic, penguin, dynamic, quirky, expressive
- Disney reworked brand so interactions would be more playful, smooth, and better contribute to the overall Club Penguin experience
Works Cited:
Kelly, Makena. “Club Penguin Online Shuts down after Receiving Copyright Claim from Disney.” The Verge, The Verge, 15 May 2020, www.theverge.com/2020/5/15/21260122/club-penguin-dmca-disney-takedown-cponline-online.
Portsmouth, Keely. “Club Penguin Island.” Nova Cat, 2018, www.novacatcreative.com/club-penguin-island-brand-design.
I was going to write about club penguin! Such an influential childhood virtual world. I thought the little missions and seasonal updates to the game were so creative. These early social network game worlds gave our generation a soft introduction to the social media that would later play such a huge role in our lives. Fun, but dangerous gateway to addicting programs and applications!
As soon as I read the title of this post, I knew I had to read it! I remember my puffles kept running away and I would always forget my password. I don’t know why, but instead of recovering my account I would just make a new one. I’m pretty sure I had over ten accounts throughout my childhood!!
It’s a pity to know it’s closed. How to update to meet the times is an issue that interaction designers need to consider. Btw I like how you listed the tone words!