Club Penguin Music #16 - System Defender

A glimpse into what could have been the dynamically-changing soundtrack of System Defender, Club Penguin's tower defense game.

[@arthur1102r]

How to be good in system defender: Just use orange guns.

[@keringolden9261]

True xD i used to do that all the time

[@redstone6301]

The call it "yellow" in game apparently

[@_GhostMiner]

Hell yeah. FOR some reason the game was easier in low FPS on my old rubbish laptop 🤔 Maybe cause the low fps made the game much slower.

[@saturnsghost]

true

[@MrsBlack88]

Game tutorial: Use red guns to get those red bots!! Me: ok anyways [stacks up on orange guns]

[@alessandrorizzi2871]

Imagine being able to hear the music This comment was made by the orange cannon gang *CHOOSH*

[@_GhostMiner]

Hello 👋

[@zambiealex8473]

Oh my lord, I just got the joke

[@Glory2Snowstar]

Imagine not hearing *FOOM* *FOOM* *FOOM* 25 times a second This post was made by the Upgraded Red Cannons Spam Gang

[@_GhostMiner]

@@Glory2Snowstar imagine hearing RATATATA every second.

[@_GhostMiner]

@@Glory2Snowstar btw. I did Red Cannon spam to get "use one cannon type only" stamp ;)

[@DanTheLoler_17]

''Get ready for... THE CENTIPEDE OF DOOOOM!!'' last words my old pc heard

[@jakeypearce]

Ahh Herbert's Centipede of Doom caused a nice lag experience lol

[@QualityDoggo]

jakeypearce Adobe flash mood

[@RockhopperRio]

You didn’t have a real childhood unless The Centipede of Doom slowed down your computer tenfold (JK, obviously)

[@_GhostMiner]

Ah yes, Flash just couldn't handle 100 Canons firing at the same time 👌

[@notaseat5934]

Yess 😂

[@DanTheLoler_17]

doom for your pc, of course

[@calebnissen]

That gosh dang centipede of giant red bugs always freaked me right out

[@astroian9616]

Notice that the 3 loops are titled "Virus Killer", I wonder if that was the placeholder name for the game. 🤔

[@ChrisHendricks]

I was wondering when someone would notice that! I believe I made the song before the final name was decided, so it was the name I gave the song.

[@bananadebilitada6844]

@@ChrisHendricks btw why is the microphone quality worse than the older videos?

[@dragonick2947]

Dr Gary and Virus Buster. Ha ha!

[@theflipflapchannelcreatedb8160]

@@dragonick2947 Or in this case, the CORONAVIRUS! LOL

[@Oddn7751]

Oh! You have no idea how good your music sounds to my nostalgic ears! Just think about that: Your music has been important to so many childhoods!

[@upesu]

The worst level in System Defender: THE TEST BOTS

[@burntbeanies7886]

Bruh on cpr it is practically BROKEN like ???? So hard to beat

[@BeYourselfNoOneElseD]

Upesu YES

[@fallingcrane1986]

@@burntbeanies7886 Bro, I beat the Test Bots level without losing any health. It took three days, but it was sure as hell worth it

[@zMikexd]

My computer got Damaged from this level. And I have windows 10.

[@Fupicat]

System Defender was always my favorite minigame. I remember it running at like 5 fps on my laptop lol

[@mouthwaterin]

Mine ran 1 frame per 2 seconds

[@jayrose-ham8834]

Since I was a very young kid, it's funny how none of the club penguin songs left my memory... Sometimes I even unknowingly use phrases or licks in my improvisation now! I think It's so great that we're getting all this insight into what was done to make all of this :)

[@birdie8006]

The trombones are so powerful, kinda gives me goosebumps! I feel like I'm a secret agent and a member of the royal family at the same time lol. I think the changing tunes would've really enhanced the experience so it's too bad they cut that idea! I don't know very much on music but I can really hear the dedication in every little note, the details, the timing, the rises and falls of everything. You always manage that perfectly. Great stuff. Nice to see your content again Chris. Love to hear the unreleased files. Hope your 2020 is going swell. :-)

[@MLGCaptainVirgil]

This is too good to not have been used, I was bopping along the whole time

[@TheGeladoo]

The B track alone sounds like something I'd hear as a Bowser theme for a Mario game

[@DDjivan]

Elite Penguin Force's System Defender is the best tower defense Change my mind

[@ChrisHendricks]

Have you tried Defender's Quest or Gemcraft Labyrinth? Those are my two faves.

[@DDjivan]

@@ChrisHendricks mind: *changed*

[@d_wigz6418]

Bloons TD5 is up there too.

[@thepebbleinstitute7702]

@@ChrisHendricks mind: *NOT CHANGED MY WORD THAT GAME WAS BASICALLY MY CHILDHOOD IT WAS THE NUMBER 1 REASON I PLAYED CLUB PENGUIN THAT FEELING WHEN YOU GET A LEVEL 3 PURPLE SO GOOD OH YES*

[@DDjivan]

@@ChrisHendricks wait, gemcraft labyrinth? I played this! but I sucked at it because I couldn't understand english lol

[@coynem9229]

This was my legit favorite game in club penguin. Thank you for recalling my fond memories of this game. It was so addictive and Im glad to have grown up with club penguin.

[@gadzooks6873]

Psst if you want to relive those memories try CPRewritten

[@SkinnyMood27]

@@gadzooks6873 Might wanna try NewCP instead since CPRewritten has unfortunately been closed

[@Classic36]

System Defender has the best minigame music after Sled Racing, great job!

[@KingMondoWWM]

This sounds amazing broken down like this. Thank you so much for sharing. This sounds so cool that I think it could easily be part of a movie or show soundtrack. It reminds me of Person of Interest and the 24 theme music.

[@Vortrox]

Welcome back bro! Glad to watch another video :)

[@ElizabethTheJedi]

Could you make one of these for Club Penguin Rewritten’s recent Festival of Lights, please? I’d love to see the creative process for it!

[@jamesbryan287]

@@monkeygaming2841 I think what is being requested is the behind the scenes of it with acknowledgement of that

[@boots997]

he liked your comment but he never did the vid, im still waiting for the halloween and festival of lights vid, better later than never!

[@SkinnyMood27]

he did do music for CPR's medieval party in 2019 I think, with custom rooms and stuff

[@RobertPenfiftygi]

Thank You for the insight into the creation of the System Defender music. Club Penguincellent video. 🎶🎶🎶🎥🎥🎥

[@nyuppo]

I played so much of this game as a kid that this song still gets stuck in my head to this day, love seeing a look into what was probably one of the biggest influences of my childhood, cheers man

[@birdie8006]

Right? I only played 2008-09, never got to experience System Defender til CPR, but some of the original Club Penguin tunes are ridiculously catchy. Sometimes I'm just doing my own thing, then out of the middle of nowhere -- blaow -- Thin Ice music. Huh?? Oh, yeah, 2008! Lol. It kills me every time.

[@tsukishimaheiwajima5168]

I really liked this form of it, I think that the loops are beautiful. The Club Penguin released version has so much added to it for dramatic intention, I'm not sure if it's overkill, but it's honestly amazing to hear this lovely composition at it's root!

[@ElectricFury]

I'm glad you're still posting these! I love watching them

[@tofudemaru]

The middle portion always reminded me of Buoy Base Galaxy from Super Mario Galaxy.

[@thennoth2860]

As someone who always loved system defender, I prefer this version. This would have been so epic.

[@CTGrell]

Our legend is back with another amazing soundtrack 🙌

[@franchocornejo4270]

Wow this just sounds so good! It definitely would’ve added a lot of intensity and emotion to the playing experience, thanks for sharing it! And as always impressive work

[@epicplaycp]

Great as always! I love the concept of the music that changes depending on the difficulty. 👍🏻 But I miss your fun facts about the creation process of the songs. 😅

[@middaysonata]

The basic theme for System Defender is just ingrained into my mind, and sometimes it just comes into my head for no reason at all. Probably because I enjoyed playing the game a lot

[@acceled]

I remember giving up on this game lmao

[@JaydenVarghese]

I MISSED YOU

[@Glory2Snowstar]

I adored this game! Cute killer robot computer viruses, tower defense strats, funny dialogue... This game was the best, besides Aqua Grabber! ...Man, I need to make a Smash Stage of Aqua Grabber!

[@PearangeProductions]

System Defender. The only game that I absolutely RULE at, and that I have gotten all the stamps for on Club Penguin Rewritten. Speaking of CPR, you made some KILLER tunes for that game! The Recon Room song & the Festival of Lights party OST are probably the most AMAZING songs I've heard on a CPPS, and I love all the work you've done for the CPR team.

[@westorin]

This was my favourite game in club penguin thanks for the epic music Chris!

[@AL-qe5bz]

This guy's literally just dropped remix stems for system defender lmao

[@keysontrains538]

every single one of your videos somehow manage to send nostalgia chills down my spine, thanks for making my childhood!

[@Dipwad_Omega]

Come back to us!! This is legitimately one of my favorite channels on all of KZbin, I love the stuff you put out and I can't wait for more! :)

[@frosty9750]

Yes! A new video! I love it when you upload! :D

[@DavidMcCary]

Kinda sounds like how Hans Zimmer did his inception songs

[@matthewbenedict3300]

Honestly, such an underrated game. It was one of the best games on the Island. I just wish the team continued to make events and scenarios with this game.

[@vodaz9109]

Hearing it here actually sounds more clear than it does in-game.

[@july4378]

I didn't play this minigame in club penguin to much because I wasn't too good at it, but the music hit me in the nostalgia anyways... Wow...

[@riskscratch]

this used to be my favorite minigame. also, i just noticed you use Studio One 6, that used to be my DAW of choice as well! it's cool to see someone like you using it

[@Bluestk]

Random trivia: the final version of System Defender was done by Rory O'Neill, mixing Chris Hendricks' work here along with some of his own additions.

[@GDOmegaT]

my favorite club penguin game no doubt. I just love tower defense games

[@LucasAndradeHD]

Oh yeeess!! You are back! What a pleasant surprise!! Love your videos and your dedication Chris! :D

[@ChrisHendricks]

Thanks. :)

[@xPanPan1130x_clips]

That game was hard asf

[@Yoke84]

Ikr

[@katzlang]

Glad the Club Penguin Music videos are back!

[@joenuts5341]

4:45 when you click on a pop up ad

[@TaterTotTunes]

That's really interesting how it all ended up different than originally envisioned, I'd say it works well either way. Loving this commentary series!

[@mahlong431]

Aaah, do you plan doing more of these? I just rewatched all of them again, they're super nice to watch and interesting, made me super happy.

[@tillychee]

Oh gosh i would love to make an evolving soundtrack like this- ive always quite liked them!

[@tjams3]

Hearing some M.Yokota dna in this one's chord progression, love it

[@lordnugget2870]

glad your still making videos keep it up!

[@enzoys]

THIS IS GENIUS

[@_GhostMiner]

The best Tower Defense game? *System Defender* _(sorry, ninja kiwi)_

[@VonTachyon]

:(

[@ladymcgonagall]

That top file has something that reminds me of the bbc countdown and I love it

[@tokyo9118]

I was reading the comments as the music part was playing, and almost didn't notice the music changing! Really loved getting on the computer to play system defender and other great mini games those years ago

[@cunkjunk]

sometimes i listen to club penguin music and cry from the sheer amount of nostalgia i have for this game

[@thewolfofthestars1847]

I loved this game as a little kid, but when I went back to play it years later on a much faster computer, it was nearly impossible to play lol. Had the same issue with the Pizza Parlor minigame. I'm reminded of those old Sierra point-and-click adventure games, where you'd have to cap the tick speed of the game, because otherwise it would run far too fast--the devs assumed that the player's computer would be slow enough on its own to limit the speed to a reasonable rate.

[@_GhostMiner]

I accidentally found a way to "break" system defender - load the first level and use red cannons only. It starts playing the ending dialogues before the level is actually done and even displays the "level finished" screen before all enemies are destroyed.

[@Ep8Script]

Please never stop making these videos, Chris!! They mean so much to me 🙏

[@christmasmusicenjoyer]

thank you cp for my child hood and for the memories with it thank you soo much i miss you

[@Barrowsbro86]

Im not a huge fan of post 2007-08 CP but System Defender was actually awesome and one of my favorite games.

[@0hhtecMusicianTheNotecianHero]

nice tritone substitutions, Chris! EDIT: and Neapolitan chords

[@0hhtecMusicianTheNotecianHero]

also, what DAW is that?

[@entropicvoxels]

To be honest, I'm perfectly fine with you making videos without the high-quality audio.

[@boots997]

Keep making this type of videos!, or if you can, try to analyze some other club penguin musics, that would be fun too.

[@theshadyraccoon1070]

Well, Now this changes a lot of stuff!! I love this version of The System Defender Music!

[@juan-sp]

Hello Chris! I just discovered your channel and, if I'm not wrong, you worked on Club Penguin. It was my childhood and will always have a place in my heart. I came here with a question for you to see if you can answer it (if you ever read it): One day I went to play System Defender but it kinda... glitched? I don't know. But it showed a small image of a robot enemy that was not in the game (like, a "big" angry-looking robot) and a crab with eyebrows that looked old and also evil. I know this crab is something a lot of people on the comunity know about but, could you give me further information about those two characters? Were more enemies/levels going to be implemented in the game? Who exactly was that crab supposed to be? If you answer me, thank you very much. But if you can't or don't there is no problem. I hope you have a wonderful life!

[@duckfilms3662]

YEAH! TDG OF THE MILLENIA!

[@m4rt_]

1:54 I like the metronome like stuff in it. Reminds me of Interstellar with it's clock ticking in the music. I don't remember if I noticed it back in the day, but I do now/

[@holidaypenguin]

So I've actually been trying to get the system defender stamps on CPR, just a few more to go. I'll say this: I wouldn't ever mute the audio if the tracks were this same quality in-game. I dunno if its .swf compression or the BLAM BLAM constantly blaring from the cannons, but it sounds a lot rougher in-game. And of course I've probably heard these tracks for 6 hours by now :p Great job though! Really sets the tone for what you described; a way to create tense lore-heavy "missions" after PSA missions ended.

[@oneunknown6659]

Hope you and your family are doing well right now in these harsh times, Chris. Best wishes!

[@Zack-ds9rs]

To this day, I still haven’t completed the Protobot or the Testbots level...

[@bensullivan6032]

come back sir we miss you

[@aramnolastname1301]

This song actually reminds me a lot of Bouy Base Galaxy from Super Mario Galaxy.

[@ChrisHendricks]

Good call! You're probably right, I was playing a lot of Mario Galaxy at the time.

[@iDunnoMC]

By far my favourite Club Penguin game

[@PickPig]

never realised how much of a Hat in Time vibe this has now

[@alexlee4806]

system defender was so fun to play

[@AmiiboDoctor]

At first I didn't remember what the System Defender soundtrack was. Then the three tracks played, and I was like "Yep, there's the Ultra Orangutan of Doom again".

[@3.6-57]

You are back with a great video again!! You are amazing and i really admire you. Greetings from Costa Rica

[@SuperT]

I loved this game

[@davi48596]

Reminded me the Power Puff Girls in some parts

[@ChrisHendricks]

"And so, the Powerpuff Girls were born!"

[@emmariley-baker8719]

idk why but this reminds me of the song from jak 2 that plays when you're being chased by the krimson guard

[@jackyjess7273]

Loved this video so much! I have a suggestion, would you be able to make a video on the recent songs that you have composed for Club Penguin Rewritten? It would be so cool to see how they came to be!

[@TheDjbroy]

Another amazing video, can't wait for the next!!!!!

[@stuckinatree45]

Top 3 club Penguin song imo

[@lustStar]

You’re a legend. Please do more!

[@BeYourselfNoOneElseD]

Loved this

[@enimo9241]

R.I.P. Club Penguin

[@Pigeonswain]

I hope you're doing well :) I can't wait to see the videos you produce in the future :)

[@Almateriah]

Absolutely 🔥🔥

[@amog8202]

Oh, yeah. Flash.

[@joacoyco8324]

Hello, chris! Are you okay? For the quarantine, i mean... Sorry i don't talk english too good xd

[@JsbergVR]

Thanks, I will go hugs trees now

[@YolkbytePNG]

F for Herbert

[@m4rt_]

If you don't already have a video on it, could you do a video on how you made the songs, for example what software you used and how you made it in there, kinda like the 3d penguin videos.

[@kromer3797]

My only question is how this would have been implemented in the first place, given the limitations of Flash at the time. The different intensity tracks remind me of Bejeweled Twist's panic music which plays when the game enters a near game-ending state. The way it handles the track is similar to the concept you pointed out in your video. All of the game's song data is stored in a tracker file, and the game has logic to trigger the panic state music. Given Flash's instability sometimes, I wonder how a procedurally layered song would have worked alongside different intensity states.

[@borby4584]

If you don’t mind me asking, did you do the Card Jiutsu theme? And if so, could you do a video on it?

[@ChrisHendricks]

Yeah, I will. I've been desperately hoping I could find a certain work-in-progress song that would complete the story, but at this point, I think I have to assume it's lost to time.

[@borby4584]

@@ChrisHendricks ah, well, that’s sad, but thank you for replying back to me, and thank you for giving so much insight into how a key part of my childhood was made.

[@thedorto]

The B loop reminds me of Core 2001 from Ace Attorney!