Interview with Gentle Dolphin from the Poptropica Creators 🎤🐬

Hello! Welcome to the next part of our series with the Pop Creators interviewing members of the PHB team. Meet Gentle Dolphin!

1. How were you first introduced to Poptropica?

I first discovered Poptropica back in 2008 (man, am I that old?). I watched my little sister play Poptropica on the family computer one day, and I wanted to play as well. Guess who kept playing the game long after that. 😉

2. Who do you think is the most underrated character? Overrated?

Poptropica has a large quantity of characters, so some are bound to get lost in the shuffle over time. I have to agree with Purple Paw and say that Captain Ziggs is probably the most underrated Pop character. He gave his life to protect the citizens of Steamworks Island, yet he isn’t talked about much in the community. Even characters like the Elf Queen and the Magistrate get fan art on occasion.

As for the most overrated, I feel like I’m beating a dead horse by saying that Dr. Hare is overrated. He became the face of spinoff minigames, merchandise, and even Poptropica itself! He got so much attention that could have shared with other characters.

3. What are your favorite scenes, aesthetically and to play through?

I loved visiting the dream worlds in Super Villain Island. They have some of the best scenery and provide interesting insight into some of Pop’s iconic villains. My favorite moment was hopping into the paintings in Black Widow’s dream. Talk about an immersive art experience!

I also want to mention the maze sections in Ghost Story Island. We’ve seen Pop from side-on and top-down perspectives, but this was the only time we could turn around and see every little corner of a location.

4. From your perspective, how have you seen the Poptropica Help Blog (PHB) and community change over time?

I joined the community sometime in 2017, when Poptropica was searching for ways to survive the death of Flash Player. There was a lot of uncertainty about Pop’s fate during that time, and the community changed along with the game. Older fans either stayed on board or left altogether, and new players joined the community. While the fandom isn’t as active as it once was, there are still dedicated fans creating fan art and crafting theories.

Backspace — the PHB’s “Blank Space” Taylor Swift Parody Music Video — with vocals by Gentle Dolphin! Read about the making of it here.

5. How has your PHB career surprised you?

First off, being invited to join the PHB was already a big surprise. 😆

In all seriousness, being part of the PHB taught me a lot about working with others online. I learned how to better communicate via text and how to plan online events like our annual Poppies awards. I still make mistakes every now and then, but that means there’s still room to grow.

Designing “Addo B. Flash”, a character for the PHB’s 2020 April Fools prank

6. What inspires you?

I get inspired by many things, from stories to music to real-life experiences.

7. What does the Pop community mean to you?

The Pop community is full of creative individuals with a shared passion. The PHB’s Community Creations series is a testament to that fact.

“PHB Tribe Reps for the Poptropolis Games” by Gentle Dolphin

8. How have your experiences with the community and Poptropica influenced you IRL?

You could say that Pop had a notable influence on my interests. Poptropica used to have a Daily Pop page that included comic strips like Peanuts and Big Nate. These comics inspired me to create my very own comics and set me on a creative path. I should probably get back into making comics, now that I think about it.

9. Outside of Poptropica and your PHB involvement, what are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about art and illustration. I’ve been working on a few projects, whether they be fully independent or with other people. Keep an eye out for them!

Favorites

Island: Ghost Story Island! It has a compelling story and a subdued tone not commonly felt in Pop’s other islands. I definitely want to see this island return in the future.
Backstory/Lore: I liked learning about Amelia during her side quest. While it doesn’t reveal any groundbreaking lore, it showcases Amelia’s character via casual conversation and set design. Her little apartment showcases her love of tea, her many adventures, and (of course) her obsession with unicorns. I certainly didn’t expect that last one, but I loved it!
Character: Fiona from Ghost Story Island. She is a sweet lady with a tragic history, and she is responsible for some of the island’s most iconic moments.
Villain: The Super Power Island crew. They’re a fun collection of villains to fight in a classic superhero setting.
Costume: I may be biased when I say “Pumpkin Punk”. 😜🎃