 | |
Type of site | Virtual camp /Internet forum |
|---|---|
| Owner | Nintendo of America |
| Created by | Nintendo andLithium Technologies |
| URL | CampHyrule.com (archived) |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Launched | August 15, 1995 |
| Current status | Down |
Camp Hyrule was an annual onlinevirtual camp that was sponsored and moderated byNintendo 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 andNintendo Powercolumnists.[1] The camp's name is named after the fictional land ofHyrule, a prominent and recurring setting inThe Legend of Zelda series. The last camp was in 2007, with no plans to host another Camp Hyrule.[2]
Essentially an online simulation of asummer camp, Camp Hyrule had refined many traditional outdoor themes, such ascampfires,water sports, andarchery into manyJava-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 around1080° Avalanche, theGame Boy Advance SP, andDonkey 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 upcomingLegend 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 byNintendo of America's online staff. Staff members, called counselors, were responsible for moderating their assigned cabin'smessage board andchat 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 theNSider Forums, their official online community, in order to provide additional moderators. Camp Hyrule also had amascot, 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 ofNintendo Power to publication byFuture US, which occurred in November 2007.[2][3]
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 bringClub 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.
Camp Hyrule features several landmarks which have appeared year after year on the campgrounds:
| Year | Held | Signup | Theme | Highlights | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 (13th) | August 13–23 at www.camphyrule.com (open indefinitely) | No sign ups required. | None | Campers were entered into a sweepstakes to win a life-size Link statue. | N/A |
| 2006 (12th) | August 14–18 at www.camphyrule.com | July 25–28 | Super Mario Galaxy | The camp was moved intoouter space, only to be attacked bymeteor showers, a spacevirusepidemic,asteroids, and ablack hole. On the last day, the camp slipped through awormhole, and waswarped into the 1998 campground. | Cabin 9 |
| 2005 (11th) | August 15–19 at www.camphyrule.com | July 26–28 | The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess | All of Camp Hyrule has fallen under the dark shadow of the Twilight Realm. Afire broke out on the last day, burning the camp. | Cabin 9 |
| 2004 (10th) | August 16–20 at www.camphyrule.com | July 27–30 | Nintendo DS | The Solar panels on the DS factory were destroyed, and the campsite suffered aflash flood on the last day of camp.Camp Hyrule 2004 Map. | Cabin 1 |
| 2003 (9th) | August 15-August 19 at www.camphyrule.com | July 27–29 | 1080° Avalanche | The infamousKing K. Rool devastated the camp with a massiveearthquake; Also, a mysteriousmetroid haunted the camp's loftCamp Hyrule 2003 Map. | Cabin 2 |
| 2002 (8th) | August 17–21 at www.camphyrule.com | July 28–30 | Super Mario Sunshine | The campsite was plagued withgraffiti andlitter, which was gradually cleaned up as the week progressed. | Cabin 5 |
| 2001 (7th) | August 13–17 at www.camphyrule.com | August 2; first 2000 only | GameCube | The GameCube'sblueprints were mysteriously stolen; on the last dayBowser wrecked camp.More 2001 CH info.Archived '01 layout. | Cabin 9 |
| 2000 (6th) | August 7–11 at www.camphyrule.com | first 1000 only | The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask | On the last day of camp, the moon fromMajora'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 | ? | None | Known as the "Invalid Login" year.More 1999 CH info.Archived '99 layout. | Cabin 16 |
| 1998 (4th) | August 24–28 at www.nintendo.com | August 18[7] | Pokémon[7] | ? | Cabin 19 |
| 1997 (3rd) | August 18–22 at www.nintendo.com | August 11[8] | None | A mysterious fiend flew NOA Dan'sboxers. They were stolen the next day, resulting in a desperate scavenger hunt to reclaim them.More 1997 CH info. | ? |
| 1996 (2nd) | August 12–17 viaAOL[9] | August 5[10] | ? | ? | ? |
| 1995 (1st) | August 11 via AOL[11] | ? | ? | ? | ? |