User blog:123VideoGamerNinja/Club Penguin: Invasion of Nightmares

Editors note: I created this idea myself. If you don't like it, that's your problem. :)

Club Penguin: Invasion of Nightmares is a third person horror game for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS. It is the second game to be published by Activision, after Club Penguin Future. The PS4 and Xbox One versions were developed by High Moon Studios, while Activision tasked Vicarious Visions to port the game to PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii U, Exient Entertainment for the Wii version, and n-Space for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita versions. All versions remain the same however.

Prior to and after release, the game generated controversy to due it's very dark and violent tone (more darker than Future in fact), as well as the fact that many younger players may buy the game, then proceed to stop playing, due to it's scariness. The game was originally rated AO (Adults Only) due to it's extreme violence; Activision later removed some parts of the game, which satisfied the ESRB, but lowered the rating to M (Mature). Disney, who distributes Activision's CP titles, refused to promote the game, but eventually did some limited advertising due to fears that Activision will just buy the MMO itself.

Invasion of Nightmares received widely mixed reviews. As with Future, the dark tone was criticized, as well as it's scariness. However, the voice acting was praised.

Gameplay
The game is played from a third person perspective. Players control a customizable character.

The game also offers a 2 co-op multiplayer mode, locally and online.

Note: not done yet

Development
The game was announced alongside Club Penguin Future at E3 2016. At the time, the only platforms revealed were PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Wii U; versions for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita were revealed 1 month later. The next day, Activision revealed a version for the Wii would be released. Disney Interactive's Club Penguin: Downhill Racing was to be released for Wii, 3DS and Vita but was unable to do so. Invasion of Nightmares was released on them despite being more technically advanced, but was severely downgraded (see below)

ESRB rating
Originally, the ESRB rated the game AO (Adults Only) due to its extreme violence (which is rare to due so) which generated high controversy. Additionally, Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo do not allow AO-rated games on their hardware, and since there is no PC version, this would've meant the game was banned in the US.

In response, Disney gave Activision one month to change the rating; if they fail, the game must be cancelled. 1 week later, Activision released an altered version; the ESRB was satisfied, however, the game was re-rated to Mature.

Analysts noted a similar incident occurred with 2007's Manhunt 2: both were rated AO initially, and both were re-rated to M after some changes were made. However, unlike Invasion of Nightmares, Manhunt 2 has a PC version which was left uncensored, whereas the console versions (PS2, PSP, and Wii) were re-rated; Invasion of Nightmares does not have a PC version.

Disney's response
Disney did not advertise the game for a month due to it's rating. They stated that Activision must cut the content even lower (so that it's rated Teen) or they will cancel the contract.

In response, Activision approached Disney and threatened that they will buy the entire Club Penguin franchise. Disney did not want to lose CP, so they agreed on terms: Activision still hold rights to console and handheld titles, while Disney just distributes them.

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions run at 1080p and 60fps throughout (except co-op, which runs at 30fps). On PS4, PlayStation Camera is supported, whereas on Xbox One, the Kinect can be used.

PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U
Although the Wii U version is capable of 1080p, the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions run at 720p and all 3 are locked at 30fps. This is due to hardware limitations. The Wii U version uses the GamePad's touch controls as Inventory. Similar to the Xbox One version, the 360 version is capable of Kinect. The PS3 version supports PlayStation Move.

Wii
Due to hardware limitations, Exient had to make some tough decisions. There is no online multiplayer, the graphics are set at 480p, and there are less enemies and weapons. However, the Wii version uses the Wii Remotes motion controls and has cross-play locally with the 3DS version.

3DS and PS Vita
The 3DS and Vita versions have touch screen controls that can be used in game. Additionally, the 3DS version has cross platform play online with Wii U players and locally with Wii players, while the Vita version has cross-play with the PS3 version. The 3DS version is like the Wii version and the Vita version is like the PS3 version (albeit with less content). Additionally, these versions lack local multiplayer.

Reception
Club Penguin: Invasion of Nightmares received mixed reviews.

Note: more soon

Trivia

 * This is the second CP game by Activision. The first is Club Penguin Future.
 * This is the second Club Penguin game to be released on Wii and 3DS, as well as the first for PlayStation Vita.
 * This is the first Club Penguin game to be rated Mature by the ESRB.
 * Strangely, the Wii, 3DS, and Vita versions were not rated AO, rather M. Exient and n-Space later revealed that "it was always less violent."
 * This game has been compared with other games, specifically Resident Evil and Manhunt 2. The former due to it's similarity in gameplay, and the latter due to a similar ESRB incident.
 * Spike Hike later mentioned the similarities, saying it "wasn't intentional."