This is theĀ MyĀ Place in PoptropicaĀ story of Striped Cactus, a writer who likes to play Poptropica Islands for story inspiration.Ā See below for how to send in your MPIP!
Now there are about ten million and one ways I could start this, but I need something thatās going to hook my readers, so, umā
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far awayā¦
How I Discovered Poptropica
It mustāve been like 2009 when I first heard about Poptropica. I donāt remember where I first heard the name of it, exactly. But I remember that back then, when I was in elementary school, Poptropica was like āthe cool thing.ā
The kids I knew wore Poptropica t-shirts on a daily basis. They bragged about how they passed Astro-Knights Island by themselves to their friends (meaning they probably used the PHB, but letās be honest, who doesnāt?). They showed off their memberships and bought ye olde Poptropica guide book.
Now, I was a very cautionary child growing up. I felt superior to any and all people who played video games of any kind. Pokemon was popular, and so was Call of Duty (yes, even amongst mere third graders!). I warned the boys in my grade (the ones playing the video games) about the dangers of gaming: how it was bad for the eyes, the body, and the mind. And thenā¦
Well, one day at school I was on Funbrain, very obviously doing important school things, when I scrolled to the bottom, probably on accident, and saw a small blue link that said Poptropica. Instantly, I began freaking out. Itās that thing all the cool kids are talking about! Omigosh I found it!!!
Needless to say, that was the beginning of an obsession that hasnāt yet died out ā which, for me, is extremely rare, considering that my other obsessions at one time or another haven’t lasted quite as long.
My Only Source of Computer Entertainment
The first island I played was Spy Island. Advanced for a third grader? Probably. But man, I did not stop talking about it for weeks. I told all of my friends that I was a real spy, that I had defeated Director D, and that they should all be calling me by my Poptropica name, “Striped Cactus,” now. Poptropica was literally one of the only things I did when I opened my computer.
Then, I got stuck on Wild West Island, and I was so frustrated. But then an idea came to my fun brain and I thought, I wonder if the Internet has the answer?Ā Lo and beholdā¦ PHB had the answer. PHB had all the answers, in fact, to the next thirty or so islands I completed.
My dad and I played Mythology Island together, talking about Greek mythology as we did so (weāre both really big history nerds). He also helped me conquer Astro-Knights Island. People could brag about finishing it all by themselves to their heartsā content, but I took pride in telling people that I completed it with my dad.
A Source of Inspiration
Something I didnāt mention, but perhaps you’ve picked up on it: I amā¦ a writer. I write short stories, novelettes, articles, the occasional MUSICAL (that was a big one), and mini plays that get performed every other year at my local theater. As a writer, I get this virus every so often known as “writerās block.” And yes, it sucks. But the only way to hunt said virus (see what I did there?
Whenever Iām stuck in a story and want to get out (see what I did there, musical theater superfans? 
An Awkward Conclusion
Well, thatās my story. I know self-promotion is overrated, but follow me on Wattpad anyway (please?) or at least give one of my stories a nice big yellow star! š Iām @booky_wookiee.
Poptropicaās a great place, PHB is pretty awesome, and stay safe out there, everybody.
Hope you enjoyed this āMy Place in Poptropicaā story!
If you havenāt already, weĀ invite you toĀ send in your own. Please include your username and a minimum of 550 words, typed with good spelling and grammar, and divided into labeled sections. If you send in your story, we will continue to post newĀ community MPIPs!
~theĀ Poptropica Help Blog
10 years? Wow, thanks for making me feel old, Poptropica. š Anyway, I could never be any more grateful to be part of such an awesome community. Over the years, I have gotten to see numerous things, news, and such come and go as Poptropica evolved, and it has been great to get to experience it all.
The fact that itās been 10 years that these wide-eyed, formerly neckless characters have been around is still dawning upon me. I consider myself nothing more than privileged to have had this amazing game a part of my life for so many years. From mindlessly wandering around Poptropica in an elementary school computer lab, to secretly playing during the awkward years of middle school, and now to blogging on the biggest Poptropica fan site as an almost high school graduate, Poptropica has been with me all the way. It is with disbelief, but great joy as well, that Iām here today reminiscing on the huge impact Poptropica has had on my life, both online and off.
Poptropica is more than just a game, at least for me. Poptropica is an inspirational world that inspired thousands of people to make fan art, write fan-fiction, start blogging and writing, become more familiar with coding, and more. This game was what kept me sane through my teenage years (2014-2016, thankfully I’m much better now), my hard times, and whenever I wanted to be alone.
Poptropica has become a huge part of my life, and I even remember the first time I played it, which was about 9 years ago (I was in elementary school!). I didn’t become part of the community, though, until 2012, and that was possibly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I only know some of my best friends because of how we met on Poptropica chat rooms or blogs, and I’m so happy to have them in my life. Even my family asks how blogging is going, and it’s become a conversation piece with others offline.
I’m greatly indebted to Poptropica for its being the source of creativity by which I do much of my writing. After all, there would be no Poptropica Help Blog without Poptropica; no Poptropica fandom nor all the fan art, blogs, friends, and conversations it’s inspired for ten years now. So thank you, Poptropica, for giving voice to so many ideas… and for giving me something to write about.
If Poptropica was a kid, it’d be 10 years old today.Ā Funny that it would probably play Poptropica as a kid, too! It’s cool to see how time had flown by so fast. I remember myself many years ago going to a friend’s house just to play Shark Tooth Island, and nagging him about a new island’s release not long after. This game has been a big part of my life.
I still can’t believe it’s been 10 full years! I started playing Poptropica waaaay back in the early days and while I’ve taken breaks, I’ve never really stopped playing. Though I didn’t truly become part of the community until a few years after my very first medallion, I’m still amazed at how big our little fandom is. If I hadn’t started blogging, I honestly don’t know where I’d be in life right now!
š Poptropica Help Blog šŗ 