Arabian Nights Island, PHB Sneak Peeks, Popspiracy Theories

BTS Overview & Theory: Arabian Nights, Ep. 2

BTS - Arabian Nights 2

Hey everyone, and welcome back to our BTS Overview & Theory series! This time, we’ll be covering Arabian Nights, Ep. 2: Lair of Thieves, written by myself (Spotted Dragon), Samwow5, and HPuterpop. Plus, in honor of Slippery Raptor joining the team, he will be helping us with this round! Click here to read the theory for Arabian Nights: Ep. 1, written by Slanted Fish. 🙂

WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW (but that’s what you want, isn’t it?)

Overview of evidence

The next installment of Arabian Nights Island is just around the corner – we mentioned earlier that early access for members starts Nov 25, and it opens Dec 11 for all… HOWEVER, as of a more recent tweet, it looks like the Creators have pushed this back in their schedule: early access for members is now set for Dec 11, while everyone will get to play starting Dec 30.)

Episode 2 is called “Lair of Thieves“, and the official tour page was recently updated with this description:

In the den of the forty thieves, danger lurks around every corner. To outwit the most dangerous thieves in the desert, you’ll need a little help evening the odds — and you’ll find it in the form of an incredible magic power!

Oddly enough, the behind the scenes files show that this episode is called The 40 Thieves.

arabian nights title 2

Strange, right? Well, let’s just continue with the name being “Lair of Thieves.”

Let’s take a a look at some of the major Arabian Nights themed Daily Pop sneak peeks. Click to enlarge all images featured in this post.

Also, check out these two images in the same scene… very similar, but if you look towards the top, you can see a little difference. Could that added Poptropican be us, spying in the lair of the 40 thieves?

Maybe some dialog will hint at what’s to come? Here is all the text we could gather up:

Now this reveals a lot! It looks like we will have to disguise ourselves to fit in among the thieves, as well as break out of/into some jail cells! We already knew that we would be in search of a magic lamp, but something bigger seems to have popped up. Hmm…

Hopefully the items we found will reveal what’s really going on? Sadly, we are not able to view entire images, since they are protected files.

Well, the magic sand and/or gunpowder may help us break in to/out of cells… and on that note, it seems like the viper skin will aid in creating the magic sand! …And on THAT note, since we have a formula containing “viper skin,” “borax,” and “quicksilver“, maybe those three items (plus more?) will create magic sand when put together! Oh, the suspense! Of course the cell key will help us unlock a cell and we will have to make the white robe black to fit in with the thieves. Looks like everything fits together! 😀

All that’s left is to put together some scenery. Below are the scene layers of the lair’s entrance.

There is nothing much to say about these images, considering it is just the entrance.

Next up we have some of the scene layers for the Treasure Keep. Here are just the relevant ones:

In the interactive layer, you can see part of the floor crumbling. Could this be the result of our magic sand?

Next up are the scene layers for the cells.

Again, we see some unstable floors and what may possible be the magic sand bomb-like things.

Last, we have the scene layers for the Sanctum.

Well, we see an oil can in the interactive layer, and if we math it up with the other layers, it looks like it is inside a barrel. That might be a useful thing to remember in the quest.

Final theory

In “Lair of Thieves,” our Poptropican will be searching for the magic lamp that the Sultan requested (in episode 1), while trying to outsmart the thieves in the lair we entered at the end of the previous episode. We will disguise ourselves to fit in with the surrounding thieves and try to gather up ingredients to make “magic sand”, which will help us navigate their lair. While sneaking around, we stumble upon a huge supply of lamps and possibly something more.

That’s what we think of Arabian Nights Episode 2, but what do you think? Comment below! The episode will be released to members on Tuesday in three weeks (on Dec 11), so be ready (and it comes out Dec. 11 30 for everyone)! 🙂

~SD, HP, SW5, and… SR!

Hellos & Goodbyes

New author: Slippery Raptor!

Greetings Poptropicans! I’m Slippery Raptor, the newest author here at the coolest blog ever, the PHB!

oie_transparent (11)Before you react, please take time to read this awesome post. I thank Slanted Fish for adding me here. By the way, I was really excited when I got the email and invite from Fishy. I’m still nervous about Fuzzy-B’s departure because I know it’s pretty rude to squeeze in during a time of sadness. Please don’t be mad at me.

Moving along, this blog inspired me to create my own blog, Slippery Raptor’s Blog. This blog also inspired me to continue Poptropica until now.

Here’s a poem I created for all of you. I hope you like it!

 I am very honored,
  To be in this great team,
Special thanks to Fishy,
It was my only dream.

To all of the authors,
BT, SD and Blake,
Then to Sam and HP,
You are all so great!

Lastly, to the readers,
I hope you will like me,
Thank you for your support,
Here at the PHB! 

I know some of you know me but here’s a little info about me:

I’m Slippery Raptor! I’m thirteen. I love books and listening to music (and poetry). I have read The Hunger Games, some books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and so much more. I listen to Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, Paramore, Owl City, and A LOT of other artists. Above all, I’d like to thank God for giving me this opportunity and I’m so happy! I’m also a couch potato every Saturday, watching Disney Channel. 😀

I will give you the best posts in the best way I can! I think that’s enough for an introduction. I hope you’ll like me as the newest addition to the PHB!

-Slippery XD

Labs (Land), Popspiracy Theories

The Poptropica Land public preview has dropped!

What’s popping, Poptropicans? Blake here, with a post announcing that the public preview of Poptropica Land has dropped! Now non-members can join in the fun of Poptropica Land from now until October 30. The Creators are challenging everyone to submit a Land creation for several themes:

land public previewThis weekend’s theme, from October 16 to 19, is Dream Home, so I’m just gonna link to this little tidbit here. Anyway, for upcoming themes, check out the graphic above! Note: you don’t have to follow any specific theme when you play around with Land. It’s your Land, so do what you want with it! 🙂

To get started, just visit the map and click on Land, or get the Poptropica Labs gold card from the Store. You can submit your Land to the Creators’ contest through the in-game menu. For a walkthrough on how to use the Land feature, check out our Poptropica Labs (Land) Guide!

—–

Now, here’s a little extra for this post. My friend Captain Spencer had a bit of a theory. Let’s discuss this – here on “Blake Pops a Theory”!

BLAKEHEAD3

This theory is called the Poptropica Parallel Theory. What if every Island exists in another dimension? This would explain how no matter what you do on other Islands, nobody recognizes you whatsoever on each separate island. Greg Heffley on Wimpy Wonderland doesn’t, Van Buren on Survival doesn’t, and even the PASE crew (the Poptropica version of NASA on Lunar Colony) doesn’t recognize you!

This theory basically states that each Island by itself exists on its own dimensional plane, and the blimp allows you to travel between dimensions (separate, parallel worlds unaware of each other). It’s plausible, except for the fact that somehow, we’re told to travel to Early Poptropica Island during the Counterfeit Island quest.

Also, how/why did we get our blimp for free at the beginning of the game, when a device that lets you go to other dimensions could cost thousands? Well, one guess is that our blimp was a present from our Poptropican’s “parents” or some guardian wanting us to go through the different dimensional planes; someone who wants us to keep saving every Island in crisis.

Poptropicans, the world just got a whole lot more wibbly wobbly, timey wimey. 20 points for Gryffindor if you get that reference.

Well, that’s it for today! Stay popping and multiverse-travelling, Poptropicans.

Advertisements, Arabian Nights Island, Labs (Land), Mission Atlantis Island, Poptropican Portraits, Store

Bobbleheads from ads, Land public preview, free Halloween costumes, & more!

Hi Gs,

What isn’t happening in the world of Poptropica? Prepare to have your mind blown with all the new things happening in the Poptropica universe!  😀

New ads: Star Wars Rebels & Skylanders Trap Team

Ads have been getting a lot of hype recently – what with banners, cards taking you to the ads, carousel slots, and mentions on the Creator’s Blog – and the funny thing is that the actual ads themselves are just billboard ads. The two newest are for the Star Wars Rebels and the Skylanders Trap Team.

hypeAd2

Upon logging in, you’ll obtain two cards that will take you to each ad. After watching the trailer videos for both campaigns, you’ll collect a Snap Shot Costume from the Skylanders ad, and a Stormtrooper Helmet from the Star Wars ad.

hypeAd1

My favorite out of the two is the Stormtrooper helmet, as it has a bobblehead effect – and while the teal dragon costume does as well, I think the helmet looks cooler. 😀

Thinknoodles mention

I recently sent in some fan art to Thinknoodles (a popular YouTube gamer who plays Poptropica), and he gave me his “Golden Noodle Award” on his Minecraft Survival series! 😀 The idea of this is that in each episode, someone who sent in an awesome idea or cool fan art gets a sign on Thinknoodles’s tree with their name on it. Watch the video below and skip to 0:52 to see my mention. 🙂

As for the artwork, it’s a drawing of his Poptropican, Speedy Catfish (his username is thinknoodles), and I put a lot of effort into this one. I also have a new drawing software, which I think will improve the quality of my art, and thus the quality of your Poptropica Portraits. 😉

thinknoodles

Poptropica Land: public preview

The Creators recently announced that a two week long public preview for Poptropica Land will be commencing October 16th (in 6 days!), and will end October 30th. There’s even a countdown to the big day on the front page!

land public countdown

During this period, everyone, including non-members, will be able to access Land. This is a big opportunity for non-members to send in their creations to the Creators. They’ll be posting their favorites to the blog as mentioned in the post. 😀

If you want to prepare for the preview, be sure to check out our Poptropica Land guide and overview here, as well as check out the recent happenings with Land – stay tuned to the PHB for more updates on this event. 😀

Upcoming big launches

Poptropica recently tweeted a “behind the scenes” email from Poptropica HQ about some upcoming big launches. (Oh look, they use Gmail! 😛 ) As mentioned above, next Thurs (Oct 16) they plan to release public access to Land for a Poptropica-sponsored contest. On the same day, we’ll be getting a “New Start World” and some “polish and bug fixes” to Land as well! We’ll have to wait to see what’s new.

upcoming big launches

The Thursday after that (Oct 23), the first episode of Arabian Nights (How Bazaar) will be released to all! And finally, coming soon to Poptropica’s mobile app is Ep. 1 of PoptropiCon (no date mentioned).

Mission Atlantis (Ep. 3) concept art

Yet more concept art has made its way to Poptropica’s Twitter feed – this time, some beautiful black & white sketches for Mission Atlantis, Ep. 3: Out of the Blue. (Click to enlarge the pictures!)

Poptropica Pioneers

I’ve recently started a new video series on my Youtube Channel similar to Thinknoodles’ Road to Captain Thinknoodles series, entitled Poptropica Pioneers. The idea is that a few days after I release my video walkthrough for the newest release, I upload a recording of me trying to figure out the island/episode for the first time.

From the feedback I’ve been getting, people are really seeming to enjoy it, so check out the first episode below and tell me what you think. 😀 Of course you’ll be able to view new releases of walkthroughs and Poptropica Pioneers on my channel, so go subscribe to that if you’d like. 😛

Free Halloween costumes

If you remember a few weeks back during Poptropica’s 7th birthday, a couple of ghastly costumes popped up in the Store and then strangely disappeared. They have now returned for Halloween spirit – and if you don’t remember, they are the Egyptian Mummy and the Scarecrow from the Haunted House quest, now made into gold card items. You can get them for free in the Store!

halloween2014 free costumes

In addition, you can get some more free Halloween-themed costume cards from the bottom half of the Store page! These aren’t new, but they’ve never been free before today either.

Girls can get the Furry Monster 1, 2, and 3, Werewolf Girl, Bride of Frankenstein, Vampire Girl 1, and Little Demon; boys can get the Furry Monster 1, 2, and 3, Werewolf Boy, Frankenstein, and Little Demon – all for the great price of 0 credits! >:D

Pnurple. 😀

TAFN.

-HPuterpop

Ten things you DIDN'T know about Poptropica!

10 more things you DIDN’T know about Poptropica!

Hi Gs,

One of the first posts that I ever made here on the PHB was titled “10 things you DIDN’T know about Poptropica!“, and from the looks of the title, you probably have gathered that this is the sequel. Hope you enjoy it. 😀

1. Lunar Colony: Flag of Poptropica

This was mentioned by deviantArt user “Child-Of-Hades“, so you can check out the original post here. In Lunar Colony you can see the first instance of Poptropica’s official flag, somewhat like one of the United States’ numerous flags from over the years — after counting the stars, you will find that there are 28 stars in total — and Lunar Colony was the 29th island! Well played, Creators. 😛

Poptropican Flag by Child-Of-Hades

2. Meeting the CYOA Book’s Author

You can meet R. A. Montgomery, author & founder of the Choose Your Own Adventure books, in the CYOA hut on Main Street of Nabooti Island.

dk1

3. Customizing Secret

On Time Tangled Island in Timbuktu, you can customize the silhouettes from inside the buildings!

dk2

4. Wimpy Wonderland inspiration

The scene in Wimpy Wonderland island where you climb the Leisure Towers building is inspired by a Simpsons game called “Bart’s Nightmare”, in which he is “Bartzilla” and climbs a tower while people throw random items down on him from windows.

dk3

5. S.O.S. Common Room

While this may be known by some, it may surprise others — S.O.S. Island does in fact have a common room on the far left corner of the Main Street entitled “Daggoo’s Fish Market”.

dk4

6. Vlad the Viking

The old Creator, Vlad the Viking, had a Poptropican account with an unknown username. It is the only known account to have three prefixes (Vlad the Viking) instead of the regular two. Here’s a picture of him (on the right) from one of his old Creators’ Blog posts, when he ran a series called Snapshot Sagas:

b1c5f-shyspeck

7. Job Requirements: Poptropica flash developer

According to this Google Forum post by Poptropica Creator Jordan Leary (Dr. Hare) from 2010 (one of Poptropica’s most active years), you must meet the following requirements met in order to be a flash game developer at Poptropica —

  • Submit a strong portfolio demonstrating solid game development experience.
  • At least 3 years experience in AS2 or AS3 with expert level skills.
  • The ability to work well both on a team and independently.
  • Experience using object-oriented design methods.
  • Good code organization and knowledge of ActionScript best practices.

AS is the acronym for ActionScript, the code that Poptropica used to run on (I don’t know for sure if it still does). Read the full job posting here, it’s pretty interesting!

8. The Origin of Poptropica

According to an interview with Jeff Kinney by Words on a Limb, he got the idea for Poptropica one day while mowing his lawn! Here’s his exact quote:

I was mowing my lawn one day when the idea for Poptropica sprang up. It’s changed a lot from its initial conception, but the basic idea is still there. We publish every story we come up with that feels like it has merit.

9. Strange Poptropica cityscape

This photo, released by Poptropica Creator Nate Tufts back in 2009, shows an apartment building with an insane-looking Poptropican in front and a leaf monster on the top. The image document is entitled “CityScape”. What could this have been made for? Monster Carnival? Or another unreleased island?

CityScape

10. Ad Creator

Coralee Lazebnikova is a 2D animator, and if you read all of her profile, you’ll find that she’s previously done work for Poptropica and Family Education doing advertisement design. Like Nate Greenwall (senior graphic artist at Poptropica), she may have had a hand in designing ad games for Poptropica!

poptropica ad chars

That’s all the cool facts I have for you today! 😀 Tell me in the comments your thoughts on these – did you know them? If so, how many? The person who knew the most facts gets a cookie!

TAFN.

-HPuterpop