Habbo#Habbo raids

File:Mobiles Disco.png

Habbo stemmed from a 1999 hobby project by creative designer Sampo Karjalainen and technologist Aapo Kyrölä entitled Mobiles Disco, for a Finnish band. It was a virtual chat room running on Kyrölä's Fuse technology. After having been contracted to design a virtual game and chat called {{lang|fi|Lumisota}} (Snow Wars) for a Finnish internet service provider, they were contracted for another project. They developed {{lang|fi|Hotelli Kultakala}} (Hotel Goldfish) with a small team of developers. It launched in August 2000 on the ISP's web portal.

Kyrölä, Karjalainen and Dee Edwards, an entrepreneur from the UK, wanted to create an international business based on the virtual hotel concept, drafting a plan in autumn 2000, and raised finance. By the end of January 2001, Habbo Hotel had been launched in beta mode. The new hotel exited beta a few weeks afterwards, aimed at the teenage market, with marketing and payment partners in place, run from a HQ in London. It featured a new credits system with community and safety features.{{cite web |title=Habbo Hotel 2001 - 2002 Changes and Updates |url=http://habboages.habborator.org/Habbo%20Ages%20-%20Update%20History.htm |work=Habbo Ages |access-date=18 February 2013 |year=2001–2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217011726/http://habboages.habborator.org/Habbo%20Ages%20-%20Update%20History.htm |archive-date=17 February 2013 |url-status=live}} The next community ("hotel") was launched in Switzerland a few months later, in four languages. It has since been expanded to over 31 countries in five continents, with {{lang|fi|Hotelli Kultakala}} being rebranded as a local Habbo hotel, and has been invested in by venture capitalists.{{Cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-104810073.html |title=Venture Capital Checks In To Habbo Hotel |first=Leslie |last=Walker |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=27 January 2005 |access-date=18 January 2008}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In May 2006, the service's domain names were changed from www.habbohotel.com (.co.uk, .com.au, etc.) to www.habbo.com (.co.uk, .com.au, etc.).

In August 2007, Habbo's Chinese hotel closed down temporarily. The challenging Chinese market and high operational costs led to the decision of closing the service. Customers in China were redirected to other Habbo communities.{{cite web |url=http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2007/08/habbo-hotel-chi.html |title=Habbo Hotel: Chinese Market Too Challenging to Be Worthwhile |access-date=31 August 2007 |work=Virtual Worlds News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902234116/http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2007/08/habbo-hotel-chi.html |archive-date=2 September 2007 |date=30 August 2007}}

In December 2008, the Russian hotel announced it was closing in February 2009 as a result of low numbers. Those on the site with "furni" (virtual furniture that can be used to furnish rooms in the hotel, bought with the use of Habbo credits that can be purchased with real money) received credit codes for use on the U.S. hotel.

In January 2010, it was announced that the U.S. and Canadian hotels would undergo a merger, to be finalized in April 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.habbo.com/articles/1455-habbocom-habboca-unite |title=Habbo Hotel US: News - Habbo.com + Habbo.ca Unite |date=Jan 22, 2010 |work=Habbo |publisher=Sulake Oy |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126075647/http://www.habbo.com/articles/1455-habbocom-habboca-unite |archive-date=26 January 2010 |url-status=live}} However, in April 2010, it was announced that all English-speaking hotels would be merged into one.{{cite web |url=http://www.habbo.com.sg/articles/2229-bigger-better-awesome |title=Habbo: News - Bigger, Better, Awesome! |date=April 8, 2010 |work=Habbo |publisher=Sulake Oy |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107195837/http://www.habbo.com/articles/2229-bigger-better-awesome |archive-date=7 January 2016}} On 5 May, the merger for Habbo U.S .and Habbo Canada was complete.{{cite web |url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/1611/two-became-one |title=Habbo Hotel - News - Two Became One! |date=May 5, 2010 |work=Habbo |access-date=6 May 2010 |publisher=Sulake Oy}} On 2 June the Australian hotel merge was completed.{{cite web |url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/1651/getting-together |title=Habbo Hotel - News - Getting Together |date=June 2, 2010 |work=Habbo |access-date=2 June 2010 |publisher=Sulake Oy}} The Singaporean hotel was officially merged on 4 June.{{cite web |url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/1658/another-day-another-step-closer |title=Habbo Hotel - News - Another Day Another Step Closer |date=June 4, 2010 |work=Habbo |access-date=4 June 2010 |publisher=Sulake Oy}} On 10 June, the final hotel, Habbo UK, was merged and that completed the set, making Habbo.com the international, English-speaking game.{{cite web |url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/1670/together-at-last |title=Habbo Hotel - News - Together at Last! |date=June 10, 2010 |work=Habbo |access-date=10 June 2010 |publisher=Sulake Oy}} Accounts were migrated to the final English-speaking hotel with varying degrees of automation until March 2011 – after that date any accounts not migrated from the initial Habbo Canada, Singapore, UK and Australia hotels were deleted.{{cite web |title=Ending the Merge: Habbo Accounts – Habbo.com Customer Support |url=https://help.habbo.com/hc/en-us/articles/221643308-Ending-the-Merge-Habbo-Accounts |work=Habbo |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022101002/https://help.habbo.com/hc/en-us/articles/221643308-Ending-the-Merge-Habbo-Accounts |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |publisher=Sulake Corporation}}

On 12 June 2012, concerns about the game were raised by Channel 4 News.{{cite news |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/striptease-and-cyber-sex-my-stay-at-habbo-hotel |title=Striptease and cyber sex: my stay at Habbo Hotel |work=Channel 4 News |date=12 June 2012 |access-date=18 October 2018 |publisher=Channel Four Television Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817023258/https://www.channel4.com/news/striptease-and-cyber-sex-my-stay-at-habbo-hotel |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/should-you-let-your-child-play-in-habbo-hotel |title=Should you let your child play in Habbo Hotel? |work=Channel 4 News |date=12 June 2012 |access-date=18 October 2018 |publisher=Channel Four Television Corporation |first=Paraic |last=O'Brien |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019075830/https://www.channel4.com/news/should-you-let-your-child-play-in-habbo-hotel |archive-date=19 October 2018 |url-status=live}} A two-month investigation found users posting pornographic and violent messages – despite the fact that Habbo is intended for children and young adults. A reporter posing as an 11-year-old girl claimed that explicit sex chats were common within minutes of logging on to the game,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18424400 |title=Habbo 'muted' following explicit sex chat claims |work=BBC News |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=18 October 2018 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111104426/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18424400 |archive-date=11 November 2018 |url-status=live}} which she described as "very sexual, perverse, violent, pornographic."{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763 |title=Habbo investor pulls out after 'explicit' sex allegations |work=BBC News |date=12 June 2012 |access-date=18 October 2018 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107031631/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18415763 |archive-date=7 November 2018 |url-status=live}} As a result of the allegations, Sulake immediately suspended all chat on the game. Speaking in a blog post, chief executive of Sulake, Paul LaFontaine, said that the firm "was reviewing the long-term plans for the Habbo community". The chat services were reinstated in June 2012.{{cite web |last=Lafontaine |first=Paul |title=The Great Unmute-The 24 hour countdown begins |url=http://blog.habbo.com/2012/06/19/the-great-unmute-the-24-hour-countdown-begins |work=Habbo |access-date=19 June 2012 |publisher=Sulake |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130623183643/http://blog.habbo.com/2012/06/19/the-great-unmute-the-24-hour-countdown-begins |archive-date=23 June 2013}} Two leading investors, Balderton Capital and 3i, withdrew their funding from Sulake,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18445200 |title=Second Habbo Hotel investor 3i checks out |work=BBC News |date=14 June 2012 |access-date=18 October 2018 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123224952/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18445200 |archive-date=23 November 2018 |url-status=live}} and some UK retailers stopped selling Habbo gift cards.{{cite web |title=Habbo Hotel Backlash: Tesco, WHSmith and GAME Stop Selling Gift Cards For Site Following C4 Investigation |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/13/habbo-hotel-backlash-tesco-whsmith-game_n_1593630.html |access-date=8 August 2014 |first=Ted |last=Thornhill |date=13 June 2012 |work=Huffington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811024018/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/13/habbo-hotel-backlash-tesco-whsmith-game_n_1593630.html |archive-date=11 August 2014 |url-status=live}}

In August 2012, Sulake announced a new hotel, Habbo Turkey, fully localised for Turkish-speakers.{{cite web |title=Habbo Hotel Launches in Turkey |url=http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/habbo-hotel-launches-in-turkey |access-date=8 August 2014 |date=8 August 2012 |work=Sulake |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013110813/http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/habbo-hotel-launches-in-turkey |archive-date=13 October 2012}} The then CEO of Sulake, Paul LaFontaine commented, "We're thrilled to announce we have launched in Turkey. This is a very important market for us and we expect Habbo Hotel to be a big success there, with many teenagers joining to converse with friends, meet people with similar interests and enjoy access to the global Habbo Hotel network. Our launch in Turkey is the next big step on our global roadmap."

In May 2014, Sulake released a Habbo application for the iPad in the App Store worldwide.{{cite web |title=Habbo for iPad: Now in an App Store near you! |url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/3236/habbo-for-ipad-now-in-an-app-store-near-you |date=May 26, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2014 |work=Habbo |publisher=Sulake Oy}}{{cite news |title=Iconic social game Habbo Hotel is coming to Android tomorrow |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Android/Habbo/news.asp?c=64616 |access-date=9 August 2015 |work=PocketGamer |first=Mark |last=Brown |publisher=Steel Media Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711152447/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Android/Habbo/news.asp?c=64616 |archive-date=11 July 2015 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/20404/hc-update-and-price-change |title=HC Update and Price Change |work=Habbo |date=30 March 2016 |publisher=Sulake Oy |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415162208/https://www.habbo.com/community/article/20404/hc-update-and-price-change |archive-date=15 April 2017 |url-status=live}}

In December 2020, Sulake released their new beta-version of Habbo. The game has moved to the Unity platform, since Adobe Flash marks its end in 2020.{{Cite web|title=Habbo 2020 Open Beta|url=https://www.habbo.com|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Habbo}}{{Cite web|title=Why did you change the UI?|url=https://help.habbo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018565599-Why-did-you-change-the-UI-|access-date=2020-12-28|website=Habbo.com Customer Support}}{{Cite web|title=Adobe Flash Player End of Life|url=https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/end-of-life.html|access-date=2020-12-28|website=www.adobe.com}} In February 2021, Sulake released the Adobe AIR client alongside the Unity client, with the plan to continue work on the Unity client and improve the user experience. In the official statement from the product owner, he acknowledged that the Unity client was lacking key features and did not reflect the needs of the community. The AIR client is a temporary solution to many of the concerns the community had initially about the Unity client and will eventually be retired when the new client is at an acceptable level and contains key features that the Habbo community rely on.{{Cite web|url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/28579/were-bringing-back-the-old-flash-client|title = Habbo}}

In 2021, Azerion reached an agreement with fellow Sulake shareholder Elisa Oyj to acquire the company fully. Azerion had a majority stake in Sulake until it secured a deal with Oyj for the remaining 49 per cent of shares.{{Cite web |last1=Partleton |first1=Kayleigh |last2=Writer |first2=Staff |title=Azerion fully acquires Habbo Hotel dev Sulake |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/75609/azerion-fully-acquires-habbo-hotel-dev-sulake |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=pocketgamer.biz|date=25 January 2021}} Azerion, which is a pan-European firm specialising in gaming and adtech, first purchased a controlling stake of 51% in Sulake back in 2018. It has since been helping to grow revenues, which have risen 46% between January 2019 and December 2020.{{Cite web |title=Azerion fully acquires Habbo Hotel developer Sulake |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-25-azerion-fully-acquires-habbo-hotel-developer-sulake |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=25 January 2021}} Habbo joined a block within Azerion’s gaming content business which consists of products including Woozworld and Governor of Poker.{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |title=Azerion acquires kids MMO Woozworld |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/71145/azerion-acquires-kids-mmo-woozworld |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=pocketgamer.biz|date= 8 July 2019}}

In April 2021, Habbo brought back the mini game SnowStorm.{{Cite web|title=Habbo|url=https://www.habbo.com|access-date=2021-05-14|website=Habbo}}

In September 2021, an NFT collection was introduced. The collection consists of Habbo avatars that can also be used in the community.{{Cite web|url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/29644/launch-article-about-nfts-for-the-community|title = WE'RE RELEASING A #HABBO #NFT COLLECTION|access-date=2022-06-20}} In addition, a new NFT Habbo Hotel server named "Habbo X" entered Alpha access in December 2022. This new Hotel only allows access to those who own NFTs from certain collections.{{Cite web|url=https://sea.ign.com/habbo-hotel/193482/news/habbo-x-web-30-spin-off-enters-alpha-with-immersive-communal-spaces|title = 'Habbo X' Web 3.0 Spin-Off Enters Alpha With Immersive Communal Spaces| date=13 December 2022 |access-date=2023-01-04}}

In December 2022, Sulake released Habbo X. Currently in an alpha test phase, Habbo X is a game that focuses on community building, interoperability, and play-and-earn mechanics.

In June 2024, Sulake released Habbo Hotel: Origins, which is a version of the 2005 Habbo client software with a more community lead approach. Targeted at adults only.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Habbo's main feature is the "hotel", and consists of a client made using the Unity platform. The hotel can be accessed by logged-in users via the Habbo Homepage. When a user accesses the Hotel they are brought to a screen colloquially known as Hotel View/Landing View. From this screen, members can navigate to virtual rooms via the Navigator and browse the rooms of the hotel, look for items to buy in the catalogue, private message friends on their friends list or enter their preset Home room.

Public Rooms are rooms which are available to all members. They often depict scenes such as restaurants, cinemas, and dance clubs. Most Public Rooms contain automated bots (non-player characters) that shout pre-recorded messages and tips, and can give avatars drinks and food items. Public Rooms are designed by Sulake and are not customizable by users. Rooms in the Habbo Hotel: Origins client contain games such as Wobble Squabble, Lido Diving, Battle Ball and the Cunning Fox Gamehall with games such as Noughts and Crosses, Battleships, Chess and Poker.

In June 2011, most Public Rooms were removed from the Habbo client. Games such as Battle Ball, and Snow Storm were replaced with Freeze and Battle Banzai due to coding issues when they upgraded from Shockwave to Flash.

File:Habbo Guest room creation.png

In June 2024, in the Habbo Hotel: Origins client, users can access classic games with the purchase of in game tickets such as Wobble Squabble, Lido Diving and Battle Ball. Players also have access to free games in the Cunning Fox Gamehall with games such as Noughts and Crosses, Battleships, Chess and Poker.

Guest Rooms are special rooms which users can customize with furniture, wallpaper, and floor patterns; these can be purchased with credits. Users can choose from pre-made room blueprints or create their own with builders club. Guest rooms can be created by any member and can be locked to allow access only to specific users or password holder. Many users create their own games in their guest rooms, which give furniture or coins as a prize. These rooms are categorized on the navigator in many categories such as "Trading", "Parties", and "Role Playing".{{cite web |title=Habbo Navigator |url=http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zev8g5&s=6 |work=TinyPic |access-date=18 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411234915/http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1zev8g5&s=6 |archive-date=11 April 2013}} Virtual pets and bots can be bought and kept in Guest rooms. Users can interact with the pets and program bots, which will obey certain commands the player throws at them.{{cite web |url=https://www.habbo.com/community/article/1192/pets-have-returned |title=Pets Have Returned |publisher=Sulake |access-date=24 August 2009 |date=11 August 2009}}{{cite web |title=The Incredible Bot! |url=https://help.habbo.com/hc/en-us/articles/221644408 |access-date=8 August 2014 |work=Sulake Oy |publisher=Zendesk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909040631/https://help.habbo.com/hc/en-us/articles/221644408 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |url-status=live}}

Users can create and host their own games in Habbo by buying and using furniture from the shop. Games such as Falling Furni, Cozzie Change, The Fridge Game, Mazes or by "buying game bundles" in the shop such as Battle Banzai, Freeze, Football and Ice Tag. Users can check out the hotel's Navigator and select the Games & Mazes category under the Rooms tab to play in other people's user-created rooms hosting games. {{cite web |title=Where are the games? |url=https://help.habbo.com/entries/509402-Where-are-the-games- |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909041900/https://help.habbo.com/hc/en-us/articles/221644328 |archive-date=9 September 2017 |work=Sulake Corporation OY |publisher=Zendesk}}

Habbo users often create guest rooms which emulate real world businesses, police departments and other establishments. As the game's platform facilitates the creation of groups some users choose to design their groups based on a role-playing theme and go on to participate in activities which promote their groups to other users in the game.

There are three main types of currency on Habbo. Credits (or coins) are used to buy furniture in the catalogue, and Duckets (free currency earned by completing achievements such as logging in a number of days in a row) enable users to buy effects and 'Rentable furni' (furniture to decorate rooms for a period of time, before it is then removed).{{cite web|title=Duckets FAQ|url=https://help.habbo.com/entries/23265566-Duckets-FAQ|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330081854/https://help.habbo.com/entries/23265566-Duckets-FAQ|archive-date=30 March 2014|url-status=live}} Diamonds are used to buy rewards such as exclusive furniture items or Habbo Club and are gained by buying credits (one diamond for each credit bought). As well as that, seasonally themed currencies (e.g. "Snowflakes" for Christmas) are given out to players by staff for completing certain quests which can then be used to buy seasonal Furni for a short time.

In addition to these three, NFT credits (and credit furni) have been added shortly after the release of the NFT avatar collection.{{cite web|title=Habbo NFT Roardmap|url=https://nft.habbo.com/roadmap/}}

Credits (also called "coins" in some hotels) are an in-game virtual currency that can be purchased using a variety of different services, such as credit card, a telephone service, a prepaid card and via SMS. They can also be redeemed into Exchange, which displays the Credits as an item of virtual furniture; the furniture can then be traded among users, and redeemed back into Credits. Users can join Habbo Club (HC), which is a premium subscription purchased using Credits. Features of Habbo Club membership include a badge, new clothes and outfits for a player's avatar, more friends on their friends list, the ability to create groups, and a free piece of furni exclusive to club members every month.

Duckets (a play on the word ducats) are part of a complementary currency introduced in February 2013. Users earn Duckets by completing certain achievements and quests.{{cite web|title=Duckets info|url=https://help.habbo.com/entries/23265566-Duckets-FAQ|access-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330081854/https://help.habbo.com/entries/23265566-Duckets-FAQ|archive-date=30 March 2014|url-status=live}}

The Duckets currency can be used to purchase effects, room promotions, furniture and even as far as pets.

Diamonds are another currency on Habbo. It was introduced in early July 2014. Diamonds are received through purchases of Credits with real money. Diamonds are used to buy Habbo Club, buy rare furniture items or they can be redeemed for credits in furniture form.{{cite web |title=Diamonds have arrived! |url=https://help.habbo.com/entries/23693923-Diamonds-have-arrived- |access-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140812003655/https://help.habbo.com/entries/23693923-Diamonds-have-arrived- |archive-date=12 August 2014 |publisher=Sulake Corporation Oy |work=Habbo}}

At the start of 2022 a currency was added which is generated daily for NFT avatar holders (depending on the count and type of avatars held).

This currency can be used to buy exclusive furniture and clothes in a dedicated shop on the Habbo NFT website. Credits can also be exchanged for Credit Furni (NFT bank note items) which, together with the other NFT items, may be traded on Immutable X Marketplace for several common Cryptocurrencies.

Furthermore, owning a NFT avatar grants Habbo Club and Builders Club access (which both normally cost a monthly fee).

Habbo's parent company Sulake has automated online moderation, and only house Community Coordinators are available for all hotels. Habbo stated in 2011 that the in-game moderators were tasked with tracking some 70 million lines of conversation worldwide every day, and blocking inappropriate users and filtering links to black-listed sites.{{cite web|url=http://www.sulake.com/blog/entries/policing-and-protecting-the-habbo-community-a-message-from-the-ceo|title=Loading site please wait…|website=www.sulake.com|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602184014/http://www.sulake.com/blog/entries/policing-and-protecting-the-habbo-community-a-message-from-the-ceo|archive-date=2 June 2017|url-status=live}}

Sulake also worked with child safety organizations and local police forces to stop inappropriate behavior. Habbo's moderation and safety systems were recognized as making the service as one of the safest social networks in a 2011 European Commission report.{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/social_networking/eu_action/implementation_princip_2011/index_en.htm|title=Digital Single Market|website=Digital Single Market|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606042537/http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/social_networking/eu_action/implementation_princip_2011/index_en.htm|archive-date=6 June 2012|url-status=live}} In 2011, Habbo was also awarded the commendation of 'Safer by Design' from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).{{cite web|url=http://pixelweekly.com/2011/06/08/habbo-receive-ceop-commendation/ceop-commendation|title=CEOP Commendation -|website=pixelweekly.com|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621063031/http://pixelweekly.com/2011/06/08/habbo-receive-ceop-commendation/ceop-commendation|archive-date=2012-06-21|url-status=dead}} Sulake encouraged users to take responsibility for reporting any abuses or any bad behaviour on the site, providing education and rapid-response support to users who may experience uncomfortable conversations or questions.

As well as working within the Habbo online community, Sulake actively contributed to campaigns like Insafe and Safer Internet Day{{cite web|url=http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/blog?p_p_id=homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_action=detail&_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet_articleId=197415&#p_homeBlog_WAR_insafeportlet|title=Habbo Hotel campaign on passwords|date=May 9, 2011|publisher=Insafe|access-date=2012-06-12}}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} to be used on relevant user safety issues and collaborates in more than 30 charitable partnerships around the world to educate teens about a load of topics including safe internet use, trolling, the dangers of drugs, bullying etc. Partners include NSPCC (ChildLine), UNICEF, the Red Cross, the National Safety Hospital, Frank, Child Right, Power Child as well as many other market specific organisations.

Users in Habbo can report users breaking the Habbo Way (there are sets of rules on Habbo that everyone must obey){{cite web|title=The Habbo Way|url=http://www.habbo.com/safety/habbo_way|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809213613/http://www.habbo.com/safety/habbo_way|archive-date=9 August 2014|url-status=live}} by clicking on the offending avatar, scrolling through their information and clicking report then trying to highlight the offending pieces of chat. Users can also ignore their user by clicking on them and pressing ignore, and this will block every action and chat line that comes from that user into their view.{{cite web|title=Tools to safety surf Habbo|url=https://help.habbo.com/entries/25176068-What-tools-do-I-have-to-safely-surf-Habbo-|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807020611/https://help.habbo.com/entries/25176068-What-tools-do-I-have-to-safely-surf-Habbo-|archive-date=7 August 2014|url-status=live}}

Automatic moderation exists in Habbo's language filter, the "Bobba Filter", which replaces offensive text with the simple word "bobba". Replacement applies to anything from mild to highly offensive words, groups of 6 or more numbers, suggestive phrases, and websites.

From August 2000 to 31 December 2005, Habbo existed as a program for experienced members of each Habbo community to become a 'Hobba'. Hobbas were non-paid, volunteer moderators with limited powers that acted as Hotel Guides. On 31 December 2005, Sulake suspended the Hobba program completely due to major security issues and the rapidly growing Habbo community. It was decided that it needed a stronger, more professional moderation team, that would be followed by employees of Sulake.{{cite web|url=http://habboages.habborator.org/Habbo%20Ages%20-The%20Hobba%20Archive.htm|title=Hobba - Information and Archives|publisher=Habbo Ages|access-date=2008-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217012322/http://habboages.habborator.org/Habbo%20Ages%20-The%20Hobba%20Archive.htm|archive-date=2013-02-17|url-status=live}} The following requests for the program to be revived, in June 2012, it was announced that modernized Hobbas, called Guardians, would be introduced into Habbo.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/217268073613365248 |title=Twitter / PaulLaFo: @bubblejuice_org @MissyHynes |publisher=Twitter.com |date= 2012-06-25|access-date=2012-08-13}} These users will be limited and will be closely monitored to ensure safety is not compromised or advanced.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/217270071297458176 |title=Twitter / PaulLaFo: @Pandanized asked about |publisher=Twitter.com |date= 2012-06-25|access-date=2012-08-13}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/217274109539790848 |title=Twitter / PaulLaFo: @Nothematic Yes Guardians a |publisher=Twitter.com |date= 2012-06-25|access-date=2012-08-13}}

In June 2012, there was a two-month investigation by Channel 4 News that uncovered lapses in Habbo's online moderation, such as cyber sex, sexual frequences and sexual predation on minors, which subsequently led to withdrawals from two of the company's biggest investors.{{cite news|last=Bowater|first=Donna|title=Habbo Hotel investor pulls out over pornographic content claims|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/9330572/Habbo-Hotel-investor-pulls-out-over-pornographic-content-claims.html|access-date=15 June 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=2012-06-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614215948/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/9330572/Habbo-Hotel-investor-pulls-out-over-pornographic-content-claims.html|archive-date=14 June 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Peter|title=Habbo Hotel: NSPCC urges government and technology industry to act|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/jun/14/habbo-hotel-private-equity-stake?newsfeed=true|access-date=15 June 2012|date=2012-06-14|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104193804/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/jun/14/habbo-hotel-private-equity-stake?newsfeed=true|archive-date=4 November 2013|url-status=live}} In response to the news, the company globally muted all chat and text, and launched "The Great Unmute",{{cite web |url=http://blog.habbo.com |title=Behind the Pixels |publisher=Blog.habbo.com |access-date=2012-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803034930/http://blog.habbo.com |archive-date=2012-08-03}} which allowed users to express their views on the company's future, their experiences with Habbo, and their thoughts on the Channel Four News report.{{cite web |url=http://greatunmute.habbo.com |title=Great Unmute | Express your views about Habbo |publisher=Greatunmute.habbo.com |date=2012-06-20 |access-date=2012-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814104724/http://greatunmute.habbo.com |archive-date=2012-08-14 |url-status=dead}} Following this, launching The Great Go-Live, Habbo lifted the chat restrictions for Finnish users to allow testing on a new safety system. Chat restrictions were lifted for users in Brazil and Spain, followed by France, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands. A Parental Advisory Summit was also launched, to allow parents and users the chance to answer how Habbo can deliver a safer experience, have a safe environment and influence what content children view on other social media platforms.{{cite web |url=http://parentsummit.habbo.com |title=Habbo - Parents Advisory Summit |publisher=Parentsummit.habbo.com |date=2012-07-05 |access-date=2012-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628235353/http://parentsummit.habbo.com |archive-date=2012-06-28 |url-status=dead}} Restrictions on chat were lifted in Norway, Denmark and Sweden,{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/219801363780091905 |title=Twitter / PaulLaFo: @BronsHabbo Probably tomorrow |publisher=Twitter.com |date= 2012-07-02|access-date=2012-08-13}} and finally in the English hotel on 6 July 2012.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PaulLaFo/status/220520529147334659 |title=Twitter / PaulLaFo: Habbos, the Scandinavians now |publisher=Twitter.com |date= 2012-07-04|access-date=2012-08-13}}

{{See also|Patriotic Nigras#Habbo Hotel}}

Habbo has been a frequent target for organized raids by Anonymous. In 2006, a meme began circulating on 4chan boards regarding racist conduct by Habbo moderators and arbitrary banning of players with darker-skinned avatars. As a result, users signed up to the Habbo site dressed in avatars of a black man wearing a grey suit and an Afro hairstyle (usually known as the nigra; see Patriotic Nigras) and blocked entry to the pool, declaring that it was "closed due to AIDS",{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Net_users_insist_its_joke.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824174022/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Net_users_insist_its_joke.html |archive-date=2008-08-24 |title=Net users insist 'racist' sign is joke |publisher=KENS-TV}} flooding the site with internet sayings, and forming swastika-like formations. When the raiders were banned, they complained of racism.

In January 2021, the live-streamer Quackity and his viewers raided the game with the hashtag "#NOTMYHABBO", protesting the recent restrictions on item trading.{{Cite web |last=Winkie |first=Luke |date=2021-02-03 |title=#SaveHabbo: Inside the Struggle to Preserve a Beloved Flash Game |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/savehabbo-inside-the-struggle-to-preserve-a-beloved-flash-game |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=IGN}}

As a website geared towards teenagers, Habbo has attracted sponsorship from outside entities and organizations. This sponsorship includes visits by musicians{{cite web |title=Habbo: Celebrity Visits |url=http://www.habbo.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity_visits |publisher=Sulake Corporation |access-date=2007-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518015001/http://www.habbo.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity_visits |archive-date=2007-05-18 |url-status=live}} (such as Gorillaz,{{cite web|title=Sulake Press Releases - "Gorillaz live at Habbo Hotel" |url=http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2005-08-17-Gorillaz_live_at_Habbo_Hotel |date=2007-08-17 |access-date=2006-07-03 |publisher=Sulake Corporation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014025122/http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2005-08-17-Gorillaz_live_at_Habbo_Hotel |archive-date=October 14, 2007}} Skye Sweetnam,{{cite web|url=http://www.skyesweetnam.com/index.aspx#6138 |title=SkyeSweetnam.com - "Skye Chats LIVE on Habbo Hotel" |access-date=2006-07-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060522143106/http://www.skyesweetnam.com/index.aspx#6138 |archive-date = 2006-05-22}} Jamelia,{{cite web|url=http://mail.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=271140|title=Jamelia coming to Habbo UK|publisher=HabboxForum|date=December 1, 2006|access-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222124359/http://mail.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=271140|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=live}}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2015}} and Akon){{cite web|url=http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=256326|title=Something on Akon|publisher=HabboxForum|date=November 3, 2006|access-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222101343/http://www.habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=256326|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=live}}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Akon is in the house! Ahem.. hotel! |url=https://habboxforum.com/showthread.php?t=251751 |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=habboxforum.com}}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2015}} as well as various corporations.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} In 2014, Habbo associated itself with the company DitchTheLabel which hosts various anti-bullying sessions on Habbo.{{cite news|title=Ditch The Label association|url=http://www.ditchthelabel.org/just-checked-habbo-hotel|access-date=31 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507082703/http://www.ditchthelabel.org/just-checked-habbo-hotel|archive-date=7 May 2014}}

In November 2001, The Daily Telegraph listed Habbo as a top-10 chat and instant messaging site, describing it as "great-looking" and "proving popular with teenagers."{{cite news |title=Top 10 sites: chat and instant messaging |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/reviews/4767166/Top-10-sites-chat-and-instant-messaging.html |access-date=18 May 2007 |date=1 November 2001 |publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited |newspaper=Telegraph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211041854/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/reviews/4767166/Top-10-sites-chat-and-instant-messaging.html |archive-date=11 February 2013 |url-status=live}} In 2005 and 2006, Habbo Australia received the NetGuide Online Web Award for "Best kids'/youth website".{{Cite news |title=NetGuide Web awards 2006 – WINNERS |url=http://www.netguide.com.au/v2/webawards/06winners.php |work=NetGuide |access-date=14 May 2007 |year=2006 |publisher=ACP Publishing Pty Ltd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629154237/http://www.netguide.com.au/v2/webawards/06winners.php |archive-date=2007-06-29 |url-status=live}} In September 2006, Sulake won Deloitte's Fast 50 competition.{{cite web |url=https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/topics/technology-fast-500.html |title=Technology Fast 500™ |work=Deloitte |language=fi |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030230725/https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/topics/technology-fast-500.html |archive-date=30 October 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Sulake wins Deloitte's Technology Fast50 competition |url=http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2005-09-15-Sulake_wins_Deloittes_Technology_Fast50_competition |publisher=Sulake Corporation |date=15 September 2005 |access-date=12 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014024849/http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2005-09-15-Sulake_wins_Deloittes_Technology_Fast50_competition |archive-date=14 October 2007}}

Common Sense Media, a non-profit association advocating for children and families, and studying the effects that media and technology have on young users, reports that foul talk and sexy chat rooms dominate [this] virtual world, giving it one star out of five and not recommending it for kids of any age.{{cite web |url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/habbo |title=Habbo |date=June 27, 2012 |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=Common Sense Media |first=Dana |last=Anderson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019041111/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/habbo |archive-date=19 October 2018 |url-status=live}}

In 2009, Habbo won the Most Innovative Launch Campaign 2009{{cite news |title=Habbo wins Guardian Award |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/mar/25/megas-winners-2009 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=8 August 2014 |date=25 March 2009 |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010214/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/mar/25/megas-winners-2009 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=live}} in The Media Guardian Innovation Awards.

{{More citations needed section|date=October 2024}}

There are currently 10 websites in operation, with as many as 12 up until 29 April 2015. This date saw the closure of the Danish,{{cite press release|title=Habbo Hotel Denmark Closes|url=https://www.habbo.dk|access-date=May 9, 2015|publisher=Sulake|date=April 29, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508175726/http://www.habbo.dk|archive-date=May 8, 2015}} Norwegian{{cite press release|title=Habbo Hotel Norway Closes|url=https://www.habbo.no|access-date=May 9, 2015|publisher=Sulake|date=April 29, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501164011/http://www.habbo.no|archive-date=May 1, 2015}} and Swedish{{cite press release|title=Habbo Hotel Sweden Closes|url=https://www.habbo.se|access-date=May 9, 2015|publisher=Sulake|date=April 29, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507225259/http://www.habbo.se|archive-date=May 7, 2015}} language hotels, having been in operation from December 2004, June 2004 and December 2003 respectively.

{{Reflist|group="note"|refs=

Habbo Canada was only available in the English language. Guests who previously had a Habbo.ca account were able to transfer it to the Habbo.com website. Following the shutdown of Habbo Canada, French Canadians are invited to visit the Habbo.fr hotel.

}}

{{Reflist}}

Category:2000 video games

Category:Browser games

Category:Finnish brands

Category:Social simulation video games

Category:Video games developed in Finland

Category:Video games set in hotels

Category:Virtual economies

Category:Virtual world communities