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This was a massively multiplayer online game (MMO), involving a virtual world that contained a range of online games and activities. Players used cartoon penguin-avatars and played in a winter-set virtual world. It expanded into a large online community, such that by late 2007, it was claimed it had over 30 million user accounts. The developer was then purchased by the Walt Disney Company for the sum of $350 million dollars, with an additional $350 million dollars in bonuses should specific targets be met by 2009. In July 2013, it had over 200 million registered user accounts. While free memberships were available, revenue was predominantly raised through paid memberships, which allowed players to access a range of additional features, such as the ability to purchase virtual clothing, furniture, and in-game pets called "puffles" for their penguins through the usage of in-game currency. The game was specifically designed for children aged 6 to 14 (however, users of any age were allowed to play Club Penguin). Thus, a major focus of the developers was on child safety, with a number of features having been introduced to the game to facilitate this. These features included offering an "Ultimate Safe Chat" mode, whereby users selected their comments from a menu; filtering that prevented swearing and the revelation of personal information; and moderators who patrolled the game. The game was shut down on March 30, 2017. The original game has been hosted and recreated on a number of fan-made private servers using SWF files from the game's old website. |
