Thirteen years ago today, Star Wars invaded Club Penguin. On July 25, 2013, Disney launched the Club Penguin Star Wars Takeover, transforming its cheerful online island into a surprisingly elaborate version of A New Hope. There were lightsabers, Stormtrooper costumes, space battles and a Death Star approaching an island normally occupied by brightly coloured penguins discussing furniture. It was a strange fit. It was also somehow a perfect one. A New Hope, But Everyone Was a Penguin The takeover was built around the story of the original 1977 film. Players travelled from Tatooine to the Death Star before joining the Rebel assault, completing missions and unlocking new rewards along the way. Club Penguin’s own characters were recast in familiar roles. Cadence became Princess Cadence, Sensei appeared as Obi-Wan Sensei, and the villainous polar bear Herbert took the role of Darth Vader as Darth Herbert. This meant one of cinema’s most…
