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| Type | Massively multiplayer online game |
|---|---|
| Launch date | February 12, 2017 |
| Discontinued | April 13, 2022 |
| Platform(s) | Online (Adobe Flash, HTML5 client); later standalone HTML5 |
| Website | Club Penguin Rewritten website at the Wayback Machine (archived April 11, 2022) |
Club Penguin Rewritten is a 2017 fan game based on the original game, Club Penguin. It was created by four indie developers as an alternative to the original game, which had been shut down by Disney on March 30, 2017. As a voluntary project, Rewritten had in-game items once limited to paid members in Club Penguin available to everyone in the game. After Club Penguin ceased operations, the development team for Rewritten expanded. The game was built on pre-existing Flash files and simulated older versions of the original game but was distinct through its absence of monetization and in-game purchases.
Club Penguin Rewritten was launched on February 12, 2017. The game accumulated a large online community in relation to the consequences and restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Teens and young adults who played the original game used it to host in-game events during the pandemic. As it provided escapism, Rewritten was subject to speedruns and a virtual concert for Soccer Mommy's album Color Theory. During this time, a staff member reported that the game averaged 30,000 new registered users daily. Rewritten was praised for its nostalgic environment, as well as its focus on the community and player freedom. The remake was recognized by Lance Priebe, one of the developers of Club Penguin, in which he respected the social impact the game brought during the pandemic.
The fan game was shut down on April 13, 2022, due to a full request by Disney. The website was taken over by the City of London Police in order to continue a copyright investigation. Three suspects were arrested. Prior to its shutdown, the game had accumulated over 11 million registered users.