Author: Agent Bubbles

Hello world! I'm MaryannTheConqueror, though if we're going on a Poptropican-name basis also Smart Bubbles! I am an aspiring professional artist and writer, as well as a self-proclaimed geek. I love games, from Stardew Valley to Genshin Impact, and of course our nostalgic pal Poptropica! You can find me on Instagram, YouTube (which I need to use more), and Tumblr..
Fan Art Features, Social Media, Store

Art and a more aesthetic store? 🎨

Agent Bubbles

Salutations! Maryann here with a recap of the most recent store update and Poptropica’s Instagram spotlight on fan art!

This latest store update was promoted by the Creators in a blog post, which shared a couple interesting future plans. But first, the costumes! The two newest additions are the return of the Orange Julius and Pretty Tough outfits. It seems as though the Creators are already moving towards spring/summer styles!

Their post also mentions Fairy Tale Island, on which the creators have “been hard at work without any breaks.” From the sound of it, we may be seeing a new island soon! They also mentioned working on some updates to the game, but didn’t elaborate.

Speaking of changes, we got confirmation of a store update! It’s supposed to make the shopping experience “easier and more inclusive.” I’m personally hoping for a better sorting system for items, but what do you think?

Now let’s get to the art! (Thanks Gentle Dolphin for the pics!)

Along with a promotion from Coolmath Games to play Poptropica on their website, the Pop Instagram also shared six pieces of fan art, some of which come from active members of the community and the PHC!

Here’s a closer look at that Poptropica Enneagram. You can take a free Enneagram test online to find out which number you are! The Enneagram post is quite fun and gives me vibes of the PHB’s Poptropican zodiac sign post from a while back.

If you’re an artist and you have social media, don’t be afraid to share your work and tag #Poptropica so the Pop Creators can see! Plus, many of Pop players love seeing creative work from fellow Poptropicans.

Well, I think that’s all. I’ll be off for…actually, you know what? I don’t think I’ll disappear just yet.

Keep your eyes out for a…wicked post soon. 😈

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles

Clubhouse, Creators, Store

A very bright clubhouse and store update 🎇

Agent Bubbles

Hello Poptropicans! Maryann here with a rundown of the latest updates to the clubhouse items, store, and Creators’ Blog!

You have no clue how hard it was to get Denali to pose for these with me.

Many of these new items take on a more modern style, including neon lights and a small vending machine. There’s also some gamer oriented decor, including a gaming chair and a neat little wall sign.

All we need now is a gacha system and I can replace my Genshin Impact addiction with a Pop one!

This recent store update included new outfits as well as the return of some familiar ones, including the Heart Astro Knight (a hint at the creators remembering the objectively best much-loved island?), as well as more Winter Girl/Boy sets. New additions include some cute t-shirts!

Along with a clubhouse update post, the Creators’ Blog made another soon after discussing the future of Poptropica in 2021. This post recalls the game’s creation by Jeff Kinney, as well as plans for “new islands… player requested updates to features, launching new side-quests and mini-games, and even giving Home Island a makeover.”

The post ends with dubbing 2021 the “Year of Stories” and hinting at another guest blog post about Paradise (Airport) Island. It also included this really pretty art!

That being said, mentions of new islands have encouraged a pressing question: Where is the news on the Dream Island contest? The most recent addition to the line-up was Goofball Island about a month ago. While outfits and accessories are fun, what makes Poptropica unique are its stories and islands, and it would be nice to have some idea of what is planned for the future, as well as what fan ideas can be achieved through the contest!

I don’t want to end this on a sour note though! So, what are your favorite of these new items? And what are your hopes for future Poptropica islands, both reboots and newcomers?

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles

Island Flash-backs, Monster Carnival Island, Uncategorized

Island Flash-back: Monster Carnival 🎡

Agent Bubbles

Here we are Poptropicans, with the first Island Flash-back! And this time I didn’t stall on the post until the end of the month! But in all seriousness, this island was high on my list, and considering this is its release month, it’s the perfect time. I know I already spoiled it in the title, but I’m going to do a dramatic reveal anyway! February’s island is…

Monster Carnival!!

I would be lying if I didn’t say this island has a very complicated history. It was actually planned to be released alongside Poptropica’s very first islands, but was delayed for years. Even some Creators seemed to think it was never going to be completed, as evidenced by the description for this old concept art found in the Daily Pop archives.

Early concept art for Monster Carnival (and its ringmaster?)

“The Wayback Machine: An early sketch for a long-rumored, never-completed Island.” -The Daily Pop

Monster Carnival takes its inspiration from many sources, from the horror genre, to the at times creepy atmosphere of circuses, and even the poem “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe, referenced by both the main villain and the trainee Edgar. Possibly over time the island’s story and atmosphere became more complex due to new inspirations over what appears to be many re-writes.

A really good example of how “creepy” and “pretty” can be conveyed in the same image

Of course, no Monster Carnival discussion can be made without mentioning it’s villain: Ringmaster Raven. This character has stirred many responses from fans, due to his tragic backstory that held so much potential, and his unfortunate (and quite ungraceful) end. That all being said, he is still much-loved, and like many other villains is one of the main reasons this island is so remembered.

It’s just the story of a boy who lost his way, into shadows strayed–wait wrong “Nevermore”

Now here comes your part, fans! Monster Carnival and many of its peers were the first to go in the Flash-Haxe transition, and the months (or in this case, years!) of work artists and writers put into it should not go to waste! Make fanart, fanfiction, videos, guests posts, chicken memes and essays on why Ringmaster Raven deserved better. Let the Creators know what you appreciate about their past work to encourage them to preserve it!

Until next time!

Corvus honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles

Island Flash-backs, Uncategorized

Announcing Island Flash-backs (and honoring a special fan creation)!

Agent Bubbles

Hello Poptropicans! With Adobe Flash having officially shut down, we have finally seen the loss of many beloved classic islands. However, there is hope with the Haxe conversion of these old favorites. Still, the Creators have A LOT to go through, so we thought we’d do something special in the meantime to remember some of the best islands that were in the game. Announcing an upcoming PHB series: Island Flash-backs!

The goal of this is simple: We’ll dedicate each new month to celebrating a classic island from the Flash era, encouraging the Creators to bring them back through all of your fan creations and a special post here on the PHB.

Through this we hope to honor beloved, awesome islands, whether well-known or maybe less popular, showing our love and support for these stories to the Creators! While I have several islands planned for the upcoming months, if there’s significant demand for one I haven’t listed, I will certainly consider it, so feel free to make suggestions!

I had Mocktropica planned for this month (January), but due to personal reasons I wasn’t able to fulfill that post on time. But I will be announcing February’s Island Flash-back soon, so stay tuned!

Before I leave, I would like to quickly direct you to one more thing: a fan project that deserves WAY more recognition: The Poptropica Dating Sim! It’s created by Jia/Magniventris from the PHC, our Discord server, and will continue to be updated.

Including music (lovingly) ripped off from Jeff Heim

It’s exactly what it says on the tin: You date some of Pop’s most infamous villains! It’s got awesome art, witty dialogue, voice acting including yours truly as Ringmaster Raven, and the most attractive Poptropica OC I’ve ever seen…I mean–

Please join us in supporting this fan game and begging for Dr. Morrigan to be an option!

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles

Creators, Uncategorized

A call for guest writers whips up more questions

Agent Bubbles

Greetings Poptropicans! This is Maryann bringing you a recent update from the Poptropica Creators’ Blog, an open call for guest writers!

The requirements are fairly simple: you must be 13 years old or older, and sign up through the usual submissions page with a “quick answer on why you think you’d be a great contributor to the blog.” You must also include your (or a parent’s) email.

Many fans (including myself) were thrilled about the news at first, and many members of our online community have submitted for the position! However, it wasn’t long before some questions arose, notably from the Dimension Bros’ video released soon after, discussing the Creators’ motives for how they approach their fans. (Disclaimer: Individual fan reactions do not necessarily represent the PHB’s views.) Fans have also questioned how writers would be credited, as this is not the first time Poptropica has asked for fan ideas to use and gain rights to, such as when they asked players to submit ideas for merch.

If you want to learn more and form your own opinions/ideas on this, and read through a bit of legalese, I suggest looking through the terms of use connected to the submissions page.

They state, among other things, that Poptropica may use your content anonymously (unless you give them permission to disclose your name otherwise), on third party sites (such as social media), and that you are not owed any compensation for what you submit. Rest assured, though, that Poptropica does not “claim any ownership rights to your content.” In the end, it’s up to an individual how they feel about their content being handled, but at the same time transparency is important, especially with a younger demographic.

In the end, hopefully this turns out in a positive way for both the fans reading the blog and those who are picked to be guest writers! Until next time!

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles