Camp Hyrule

Last updated

Camp Hyrule
Camp hyrule lg.jpg
Type of site
 Virtual camp / Internet forum
Owner Nintendo of America
Created byNintendo and Lithium Technologies
URL CampHyrule.com (archived)
CommercialYes
LaunchedAugust 15, 1995
Current statusDown

Camp Hyrule was an annual online virtual camp that was sponsored and moderated by Nintendo of America. It first opened in the summer of 1995, and emerged as Nintendo's biggest online event. Camp Hyrule, which was usually held in August, allowed Nintendo fans to chat, play online games, and win prizes under the supervision of Nintendo employees and Nintendo Power columnists. [1] The camp's name is named after the fictional land of Hyrule, a prominent and recurring setting in The Legend of Zelda series. The last camp was in 2007, with no plans to host another Camp Hyrule. [2]

Contents

Background

Essentially an online simulation of a summer camp, Camp Hyrule had refined many traditional outdoor themes, such as campfires, water sports, and archery into many Java-based games. [1] Participants were assigned to cabins, where they worked with other teammates to earn points by participating in games, Photoshop contests, and other activities. After the camp session ended, the cabin with the most points won a special prize, while runner-up cabins received other consolation prizes. [3]

The camp was also used to promote various Nintendo-related products. In past years, some of the camp's games have revolved around 1080° Avalanche , the Game Boy Advance SP, and Donkey Konga . [2] Additionally, the camp had a theme, related to an upcoming video game, that often prompted mini-story line. For example, in 2005, the camp's design and layout reflected the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess . [4] Nintendo went to further detail to add a story line to that camp session, in which games and layouts were mysteriously vanishing at the hands of an evil force. Nevertheless, all the issues were always resolved at the camp's closing ceremony, where awards and grand prize winners were announced.

Camp Hyrule was moderated and maintained by Nintendo of America's online staff. Staff members, called counselors, were responsible for moderating their assigned cabin's message board and chat rooms, while also advocating participants to earn points. [1] The camp's staff also sent participants daily emails pertaining to earning points or the camp's plot developments. Nintendo later turned to the NSider Forums, their official online community, in order to provide additional moderators. Camp Hyrule also had a mascot, named Stumpy, who was often seen wandering the campgrounds. [5]

The community elements were removed from Camp Hyrule in 2007, coinciding with the closing of the NSider forums and the impending switch from in-house publication of Nintendo Power to publication by Future US, which occurred in November 2007. [2] [3]

Registration

Nintendo generally opened registration for Camp Hyrule in late July or early August. Although there was no limit as to how many users could sign up, registration was only open for one week. Registration required a "My Nintendo" account, which Nintendo has since phased out to bring Club Nintendo to the US. [6]

The 2007 camp was open from August 13 to August 23 to all My Nintendo members, and registration was not required.

Landmarks

Camp Hyrule features several landmarks which have appeared year after year on the campgrounds:

History

Summary of past camps

YearHeldSignupThemeHighlightsWinner
2007
(13th)		August 13–23 at www.camphyrule.com (open indefinitely)No sign ups required.NoneCampers were entered into a sweepstakes to win a life-size Link statue.N/A
2006
(12th)		August 14–18 at www.camphyrule.comJuly 25–28 Super Mario Galaxy The camp was moved into outer space, only to be attacked by meteor showers, a space virus epidemic, asteroids, and a black hole. On the last day, the camp slipped through a wormhole, and was warped into the 1998 campground.Cabin 9
2005
(11th)		August 15–19 at www.camphyrule.comJuly 26–28 The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess All of Camp Hyrule has fallen under the dark shadow of the Twilight Realm. A fire broke out on the last day, burning the camp.Cabin 9
2004
(10th)		August 16–20 at www.camphyrule.comJuly 27–30 Nintendo DS The Solar panels on the DS factory were destroyed, and the campsite suffered a flash flood on the last day of camp. Camp Hyrule 2004 Map. Cabin 1
2003
(9th)		August 15-August 19 at www.camphyrule.comJuly 27–29 1080° Avalanche The infamous King K. Rool devastated the camp with a massive earthquake; Also, a mysterious metroid haunted the camp's loft Camp Hyrule 2003 Map. Cabin 2
2002
(8th)		August 17–21 at www.camphyrule.comJuly 28–30 Super Mario Sunshine The campsite was plagued with graffiti and litter, which was gradually cleaned up as the week progressed.Cabin 5
2001
(7th)		August 13–17 at www.camphyrule.comAugust 2; first 2000 only GameCube The GameCube's blueprints were mysteriously stolen; on the last day Bowser wrecked camp. More 2001 CH info. Archived '01 layout. Cabin 9
2000
(6th)		August 7–11 at www.camphyrule.comfirst 1000 only The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask On the last day of camp, the moon from Majora's Mask fell on the campsite, forcing an abrupt evacuation. More 2000 CH info. Archived '00 layout. Cabin 3
1999
(5th)		August 16–20 at www.camphyrule.com ?NoneKnown as the "Invalid Login" year. More 1999 CH info. Archived '99 layout. Cabin 16
1998
(4th)		August 24–28 at www.nintendo.comAugust 18 [7] Pokémon [7]  ?Cabin 19
1997
(3rd)		August 18–22 at www.nintendo.comAugust 11 [8] NoneA mysterious fiend flew NOA Dan's boxers. They were stolen the next day, resulting in a desperate scavenger hunt to reclaim them. More 1997 CH info.  ?
1996
(2nd)		August 12–17 via AOL [9] August 5 [10]  ? ? ?
1995
(1st)		August 11 via AOL [11]  ? ? ? ?

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Craig, Jo (November 30, 2020). "Nintendo's Camp Hyrule Games Are Now Available On The Internet Archives". The Gamer. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Deschamps, Marc (December 2, 2020). "Nintendo's Camp Hyrule Games Have Been Preserved by the Internet Archive". ComicBook. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Berube, Justin (August 15, 2015). "Remembering Camp Hyrule". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  4. ↑ Karabinus, A. (August 14, 2007). "Diminished Camp Hyrule opens up after all". Engadget . Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  5. ↑ Berube, Justin (August 6, 2018). "The 20 Most Deserving Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Newcomers". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ Johnston, Chris (April 26, 2000). "Nintendo's Online Summer Camp". GameSpot . Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "On-Line Camp Time: Camp Hyrule 1998". Detroit Free Press. August 18, 1998. p. 43. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Nintendo camp set for Aug. 18". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. August 10, 1997. p. 47. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Life in Cyberbia". Richmond Times-Dispatch. August 9, 1996. p. 76. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  10. ↑ Hutchens, Bill (August 3, 1996). "Mega Bits". The News Tribune. p. 66. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Cyberscene". The Orlando Sentinel. August 11, 1995. p. 42. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
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