Interview with Controllable.
Welcome to Insert Coin: Conversations - Edition 2
Hosted by elseifcameron, this interview series is all about shining a spotlight on the players and communities roaming the halls of Habbo. We go behind the pixels to discover what inspires players, how they’ve built their communities, and what keeps them coming back to the Hotel.
For our second edition, we’re excited to sit down with Controllable., aka Mark. With nearly two decades of experience in the game, he is best known as the Secretary of Defense and current leader of the United States Defense Force (USDF), one of Habbo’s largest and longest-running military roleplay communities.
From first discovering Habbo through a GameStop magazine in 2005 to helping shape its modern player experience through the Community Council and Collectibles Discord, Controllable. has seen the game evolve across generations. In this edition, we talk about the evolution of USDF, the real value behind military roleplay, and how he helps guide both his own organisation and the wider Habbo community into the future.
Main Interview - Controllable.
What’s your Habbo username and what are you best known for in the hotel?
My name is Mark, and my Habbo username is Controllable. Most people know me as the leader and owner of the United States Defense Force (USDF), one of Habbo’s biggest and longest-running military roleplay communities. I’ve been on Habbo since 2005, so it’s safe to say it’s been a big part of my life for a long time.Outside of leading USDF, I’m also known for being part of the Community Council, an active Sandbox Hotel tester, and one of the moderators for the Habbo Collectibles Discord server, where I help bring new players into the Collectibles community and share feedback directly with staff and the developers.
You're currently the Secretary of Defense for the USDF. For those unfamiliar, can you briefly explain what the USDF is and what you do within it?
The USDF is Habbo’s largest and longest-running military organisation. It takes inspiration from the real-world U.S. armed forces but is built around Habbo’s social environment. We focus on leadership, teamwork, and community, rather than strict or over-the-top roleplay.As Secretary of Defense, I manage the overall direction of the community, from policy changes to daily operations. My role is to make sure everything runs fairly and stays engaging for our members, while guiding our senior leadership to keep the professionalism and strong culture that USDF is known for.
USDF has been around for 10 years since its re-establishment. When did you first join and what drew you to join the community?
I joined in March 2015 after a year away from the game, a few months after our founder, Sycron, brought USDF back. I remembered him from the old Habbo days and really respected what he built back then. When I saw that USDF had returned, I jumped at the chance to be part of it.I never expected to eventually take over from him, but it’s something I’ve always taken seriously. I try to make sure we honor our history and stay true to the values USDF was founded on — respect, fairness, and standing up for what’s right.
You've served both as the 3rd and 5th Secretary of Defense. What have been some of your proudest moments leading the USDF?
Honestly, my proudest moments are when the community comes together and proves why USDF has lasted this long. Seeing people I once mentored go on to lead hundreds of people, win major awards, and reach goals they set years prior has always been something I've cherished. I’ve also been proud of how we’ve modernized over the years, from restructuring leadership to improving how we recognize people’s work and making USDF more transparent and fun!What’s a common misconception about military roleplay that you wish more Habbo users understood?
A lot of people think military roleplay is just about pretending to be soldiers or barking orders, but it’s really not like that. The structure is there to create purpose, but the real focus is on leadership, community, and personal growth. You learn how to work with others, how to communicate to your peers and leaders, and how to take responsibility — skills that go beyond well beyond Habbo.What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining USDF or starting their own Habbo organization?
If you’re thinking of joining USDF, just go for it! Come in with an open mind, be willing to learn, and give it time. You’ll find a structured but really supportive environment where effort pays off, and making friends is fairly easy. If you’re thinking about starting your own organization, my advice is simple: focus on quality of people, not numbers. Anyone can open a base/HQ, but strong culture and consistency are what make it last. Listen to your members, build trust, and remember that leadership isn’t about control, it’s about responsibility to lead your community through the ups and downs.
You’re also part of the Habbo Community Council. What has that experience been like so far?
It’s been a really positive and eye-opening experience. The Council gives players like myself a chance to have direct conversations with staff and represent different parts of the community, from furni and NFT collectors to game builders, fansite owners, and those in roleplaying or agencies. It’s been great to see Habbo listening more and taking community perspectives seriously again. I really give credit to Olsoweir, Dalmia, and several other staff who’ve taken our feedback to heart and made genuine improvements to the game.How do you balance responsibilities between running a major RP organization like USDF and contributing to the wider Habbo community
Both roles actually complement each other really well! Leading a big community like USDF gives me an easy sense of what players care about and what frustrates them, while being on the Council lets me take that feedback straight to staff who can act on it. I also have an amazing team that helps keep USDF running smoothly, so I can split my focus when needed.What kind of ideas or improvements have you advocated for as part of the Council? Any wins you’re especially proud of?
A major focus has been making sure every corner of Habbo’s community is represented fairly, especially roleplaying and agency groups that were often overlooked before the Council existed. I’ve been vocal about having equal attention between collectors, creators, and players who dedicate real time to building the social side of the game.What I’ve appreciated most is seeing how much more open the staff team has become to listening to players. Even small changes, like adjusting how furni are released or catching issues early, prove that our feedback really can shape the direction of Habbo.
Habbo has evolved a lot over the years. What keeps you logging in after 20 years of playing?
Honestly, it’s the people and the nostalgia. Every generation of Habbo players brings something new, and that’s what’s kept it interesting all these years. I’ve made friends on here who I’ve known for well over a decade, and it still amazes me how the game continues to connect people from all over the world. Whether it’s USDF or the Collectibles/Trading community, Habbo has always been a place where creativity and connection come together... and that’s what keeps me coming back!If you could implement one new feature or campaign in Habbo tomorrow, what would it be and why?
I’d like to see Habbo put more focus on accessibility and modernization... new features that make the game smoother, faster, and more enjoyable to use. I don't think the Unity client is the future, and the focus should be on making the AIR client the best possible experience with quality of life updates. I'd love to see more inventory management tools, profile customization, more creative controls for builders, and improvements to chat and moderation systems would make a huge difference. Habbo has such a strong foundation; it just needs those quality-of-life updates to make it feel fresh again without losing its charm. I think they are on their way.
Finally, you’ve built and led militaries, but if you could build a Habbo room that reflects you, what would be in it?
It would probably serve two purposes: a room filled with trophies and photos that capture my time on Habbo, and a memorial for my Shiba Inu, Yoshi, who was incredibly special to me in real life. That room would represent everything that matters most to me, both personally and as a player.
Thank you for your time, Controllable.! We’re grateful for the opportunity to explore your journey from nearly two decades in the Hotel to leading one of Habbo’s most enduring communities.Now we want to hear from you, the players! Join our HabboArcade Discord server to suggest who we should interview next and what questions we should ask. Your ideas could be featured in an upcoming edition of Insert Coin: Conversations, so don’t be shy, we want to hear from you!