Since the early days of Club Penguin Armies, several organizations have provided the community with news. In this edition of Picture Perfect, we will explore how army media has changed through time.
Designed by Cassie
THE BEGINNING
In 2009, Club Penguin Army Central was founded, changing the game as it came to be known as one of the most remarkable Club Penguin Army websites. Then the most dominant organization, they hosted tournaments, provided up-to-the-minute army news, and published weekly rankings with the Top Ten. However, later on, many formed leagues held their keyboards and went into the media game. Now, this post focuses on how the work in these organizations changed regarding the various media outlets, the way topics evolved, and how things are written.
THE EVOLUTION OF CLUB PENGUIN ARMIES MEDIA
Back in the day, it all started with sites like CPAC. CPAC was not just a news site, but the go-to source for rankings, tournament announcements, and battle recaps. It was the all-time source for the community. Ultimately, as CPA grew, ideas such as an organization for only Small/Medium armies came up. This is where websites like Small-Medium Army Central and Small-Medium Army Press came in. These sites were perfect for armies that often got overshadowed by the big leagues. They provided news and rankings but also provided a chance for small armies to get attention and grow.
Over time, the community saw the introduction of more organizations like CPA League and CPA Network. These organizations mixed competitive rankings with a focus on community news. They introduced more features like army leaderboards, real-time updates, and cross-army communication tools.
Today, Club Penguin Armies continues the legacy of delivering news to the community. Ultimately, leagues have become a part of members’ routines to receive up-to-date information.
CPAC’s homepage
CPA’s homepage
How CPA Media Topics Changed
Back in the day, CPA news sites mostly stuck to a few main things. The Top Ten Armies list gained a lot of hype as armies would wait for it each week to see where they ranked. Alongside that, you had battle reports and war coverage whenever conflicts happened. Those posts kept the community talking and made it clear who was winning, losing, or making big moves.
Some weekly polls and recaps let armies vote on categories like “best leader” or “most improved army.” These polls brought everyone together, and weekly recaps helped people stay in the loop if they missed something.
However, as time went on, CPA media started moving away from some of these old categories. Instead of sticking to weekly Top Tens and polls, they began covering different things, like strategy guides, interviews with leaders, or throwback pieces about classic armies. It wasn’t just about rankings anymore, people wanted to read about other parts of CPA history, get advice, and know about the people themselves.
CPAC’s Guidebook
Now, the media scene is not as focused on regular lists or weekly posts. Top Tens still pop up here and there, but the media has become more about big events and stories when they happen. There is more, and it reflects how the community itself has changed over time people want more than just rankings, they want content that matters to them.
HOW THE WRITING ZONE CHANGED
At the start, CPA news posts had a serious vibe. They sounded almost like professional news articles, with detailed battle reports, and strict ranking. Writers tried to keep things just what they needed to be, to make CPA feel like a real, organized community.
Over time, the writing started getting more laid back and personal. Instead of only covering the big news strictly, writers began including their thoughts, using more casual language, and talking directly to the readers. Posts started to feel more like conversations than formal reports, which made everything feel more friendly and less like you were reading a news report. Just take this league as an example of how old posts were written.
These days, the style is even more relaxed. Reporters often add humor, use more simple language, and talk to readers more personally. These changes made CPA media feel more welcoming, especially to new members who might not be used to all the old battles or serious language. This style reflects how CPA is not just about ranks and stats, but about the people and friendships behind it all.
CPA’s Ice Breakers column engages community members in a more casual discussion
Army media has changed a lot since the early days of CPA. How do you personally consider this progression? Which websites did you use when you joined armies? Do you think the old media is better than the current?
Fwapo
Reporter