A wise administrator once sought to answer an important question. We are a gaming community that has outlived the game itself, so why are we still here? What are we searching for? I ponder this as I look back on the sixteen years I dedicated to this community.

Designed by Edu14463

The concept of armies originated on the basis that there was an active influx of new members, new participants finding themselves waddling unsuspectingly into a snowball fight between two opposing sides at the Dojo or Snow Forts. Eighteen years later and, while armies are still kicking it, the community has undergone immense structural changes in order to survive. And not all of these changes proved to be successful: the autotyping obsession itself contributed to the fall of Club Penguin. Over time, whether due to our own failures or not, the community has become a fraction of itself, outliving the game itself.

Yet, here we are, the community still living in its little bubble. Those that stay apart of the community see value in armies. There are a myriad of reasons for individuals to take part in armies. While the occasional recruit here and there may only have the intention to relive a form of Club Penguin nostalgia, those that get more involved with the community tend to have more meaning behind what they seek.

My epic begins

Little did I know when I found the Army of Club Penguin that I would be here, all these years later. Along the way, I became known by the moniker of Mchappy and have adopted this identity that will live with me for the rest of my days. Thanks to this identity I have been able to make many, many friends. I got to be a part of something far greater than myself.

The Return

Following the death of Club Penguin, I joined the Army of Club Penguin’s faux Discord server as an attempt to stay reachable to those who may need me. I was always one of the few who didn’t want to see my army’s doors shut down alongside Club Penguin. Now I know everything happens for a reason.

Once news broke that Club Penguin Island was shutting down, something awoke inside me. I began checking for any signs of army life on a more regular basis. And, to my delightful surprise, the community had survived. It was then that I would learn about a lazy attempt to bring back my former army, Army of Club Penguin. I decided on the spot that I would do anything in my power to see the community of my childhood thrive as it once did. Little did I know that bringing back the green penguins would not only awaken something in me, but the entire community at large.

Essentially, I have become the modern day Oagalthorp. The return of Army of Club Penguin initiated a new era for armies. I helped contribute in laying a new foundation, building a stable structure for the legacy army.

The original call to arms

the realization

Unfortunately, an unexpected challenge reared its head. The power creeping of “leagues.” Prior to Club Penguin Armies, it was very rare for a league to remain consistent. Yet, despite the cycle of new leagues, it always seemed the same people were in power. Looking back, maybe I just did not understand the politics of the community at the time. But, I warned those around me to avoid getting involved in leagues. Time and time again, they all fell in a large explosion of drama. In turn, the community would fall deeper into a trench of pessimism, and it seemed no one was willing to dig ourselves out.

I always knew that change would only be achieved by working from the inside. Around this same time, I was beginning to realize that it was time for the Army of Club Penguin to learn to fly on its own. Therefore, I offered my services to one of these leagues, with a wish that maybe something will change eventually.

That is, unbeknownst to me, a few months later there was a movement to unify the community once again. At the time, I was away from home: studying in South Korea. Upon my return, my position had transferred over to a new league: Club Penguin Armies. In fact, there was almost no position for me to come back to. A former administrator tried to have me fired. For the sake of the community, I am very glad that did not happen.

Disaster avoided

The Final Lap

I quickly realized that Club Penguin Armies is my final lap in this community. Through my work as a fledging in the media department, I was awarded Best Reporter. A promotion to Editor in Chief was all but a matter of time. Yet, once again, I could see the cracks starting to form. And not just form, but completely shatter. Going into 2023, I feared that the cycle was doomed to continue. That is, until I was offered a spot in the administration.

It has been very important to me that Club Penguin Armies continues to deliver at its utmost quality as there continue to be naysayers out there, dooming this website to the same media cycle that we have unfortunately had to witness through this new gen of armies. However, I continue to see a bright future.

I think I can confidently say that I was not past my prime. This final lap proves that. No one person, or league, has accomplished as much as we have. Club Penguin Armies has surpassed all expectations, and is proudly serving the community as the longest standing league since the fall of Club Penguin.

Under my guidance, we have introduced new tournaments: Around the World Cup, Double Deck the Halls, and the Trick or Treat Trials. Including new formats like the double elimination of Legends Cup XIV worked out. Under my guidance, regardless if there was a map or not, there was a war every single month. Now the map is one that rewards armies for acting like armies. Under my guidance, Club Penguin Armies has begun a legacy, remembering those who were instrumental along the way. Under my guidance, we have broken record after record.

With today’s Top Ten, there are now eight major armies in the community. The final Top Ten of 2022 had only seven armies in total.

The Lesson

I have served Club Penguin Armies as an acting administrator for 67 weeks. This makes me the longest-serving administrator. I have achieved practically every title imaginable, and I have hosted countless community events. Ultimately, I have learned that this community is much, much different from what I once knew it to be. And that is perfectly acceptable.

For years, I have seen the same rhetoric: armies are dying; there’s no good leaders anymore; armies are a waste of time. You are entitled to those opinions. Although, I challenge you. I challenge you think more on the concept of community. A community shares a unified goal, and a connective existence. What I hope you all take away from my words is that these experiences we’ve made together will last a lifetime. We’ve carved out our own pocket of the internet, so be intentional with your actions. This has become bigger than all of us now.

That all being said, I think I deserve the right to say I can retire knowing I ultimately reached my goal. Thanks to the friends who have surrounded me, stability has once again returned to the army community. We even overcame a malicious attempt to delete all of this. So, do not let it go to waste this time.

The next chapter of this era I leave in the hands of Executive Producer Coolguy and Mare, who will be promoted to Chief Executive Producer effective immediately from this post.

To come back to the initial question: What are we searching for? My answer: what we do not have. Of course, this must be interpreted on an individual basis and will vary from person to person. But I believe we are here because we are still searching for what we do not have– be that praise, power, relevancy, enjoyment, friendship and connection, or the ability to be authentic.

So, what are you searching for? Or have you already found it? Perhaps instead of searching for what we do not have, we should look closer at what we already have.

Mchappy

Former Chief Executive Producer

More Information

mchappy2

Mchappy is interning at Club Penguin Armies as the Chief Executive Producer. Max held him at gunpoint to finish his biography.