PHB Specials

PHB Sunday Special: Why You Should Like SUIs

Hi Gs,

Before you think I’m going crazy, let me explain:

I’m going to initialize the official name of the updated/sound improved islands.  I’m sick and tired of not knowing what to call them whenever I need to… so without further ado, the name shall be “S-U-I”, for sound updated islands.  I’m counting on you viewers to pass it on. 😉

Time Tangled1

So, onto the main subject of this post: why you should like SUIs.  I know most of you don’t.  I certainly didn’t at first either.  Virus Hunter really did it for most people.  It was such a bomb that you guys are scarred for life.  But I hope I can explain to you why I am now rooting for these new islands.  And it’s NOT just because they have soundtracks. 😛

We all know that SUIs are different from the old islands.  Most of you don’t really like any change, and I’m with you.  It takes some time to get used to.  But you really have to open your eyes and try something new to get anywhere.  Poptropica is  an experiment, and one that is working.  And, I acknowledge that the experiment is very popular, and that in most cases the creators don’t really listen to us (the player).

But we also have to acknowledge that the whole game, to most of you guys, is free.  Of course, you can buy extra stuff, but most don’t spend money on this game.  For the most part, Poptropica is a free game.  There are 35 islands to explore and enjoy for free.  You get a whopping 75 credits when you sign up, and you don’t have a barrier if you don’t.  It’s popular because it’s genius, and you can’t deny that.

At first, I was sort of shocked about the new player.  It seemed as if they had made a better game 6 years ago than they did now.  They’re really getting the hang of it, though.  I mentioned in another post that the new islands are becoming stabilized.  It’s starting to feel like Poptropica again.

Pros

happy

  • The new screen really helps.  The islands are supposed to be stories where you are the main character, and thus theatrical, and one way to do that is a bigger screen.  They fixed the “fuzziness” of it in 24 Carrot, and it really lets you appreciate the art more.
  • The gameplay is smooth, and getting more and more life-like.  One major switch with the format is that the islands are separated (the backgrounds and objects have separated layers and overlays now).  This is fun to look at, but it also gives a smoother feel.
  • The soundtrack is amazing.  A page will be up soon with the complete soundtracks of everything.  Stay tuned for that.  I don’t think I need to elaborate on this much, because I’ve expressed my enthusiasm in other posts– and many. 😉
  • The dialogue speed can be adjusted, which is a MAJOR pro.
  • Also, you can access the blimp at any time, which is very nice.

Cons

sad

  • The inventory is not as fun as it used to be, and it’s also very glitchy.  I like the old one better!  Who’s with me?
  • The costumizer STILL isn’t working, and that’s super annoying.  Hopefully they’ll get it up and running soon.
  • Also, the skip dialogue cheat doesn’t work anymore, which really is annoying.
  • And, SLANTING PLATFORMS.  The feet don’t slant when the platform does!  It doesn’t really affect the gameplay, but it is so annoying!

platformmadness

~

Basically, I think we all need to chill.  I think we all need to sit down, read this post, and forgive those horrid creators for giving us something new. 😆  But in all seriousness, I want the community to settle down.  I DON’T want a war to be started, with two sides; one being for the new format, the other for the old. 😛

-HP

PHB Sneak Peeks, PHB Specials

PHB Sunday Special: Hacks, Music, and Genius

Hi Gs,

A while ago, Strange Cat (or Christmas Clown) mused that I may become the new Codien…

I didn’t really take it seriously, but now, I sort of wonder.  I think I may have hit the jack pot, I can prove it to you with a link.  Maybe even a couple links.  Anyway, let’s break this down into parts.

static.poptropica.com-game-assets-scenes-poptropolis-mainStreet-interactive.swf

Gamer Guy

The talk of the town is that Gamer Guy got fired.  Well, I’m pretty sure he didn’t get fired.  I have my theories, but I also may know who he really is. I don’t know for sure, but Kyle Fox sure fits the description: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kyle-fox/14/190/587

I believe that Kyle did a one time job for Poptropica, and the posts were just part of that.  They took advantage of the situation, and made it into a sort of publicity stunt.  When the job was over, his fun was over. This seems to be slightly forced though, so what do you guys think?

The Music

If I haven’t told you before, here it is:  if all else fails, I will root for the new improved islands JUST because of the amazing soundtrack. Jeff Heim is a genius, his music is genius, and you can hear the actual original soundtracks from their original files. This is only the beginning.  More will be revealed later.

The Backgrounds

As well as music, you can view the backgrounds of scenes just like you can view items!  Sadly, you can’t save them to you computer, as they are shockwave files, and some of them are off of the screen.  Maybe in the future we can have a page dedicated to the backgrounds, as there are key words to reveal them.

The Body

You can also view parts of the Poptropican body!

The Sounds

You can also hear the sounds!

~

In  all, I think that this is a major breakthrough, and it’s not just for the sound islands.  To file away everything together will be a huge undertaking, but I think that it can be done!

There is more than just what I showed you today; the possibilities are endless!  I will post more some time or another. 🙂

-HP

PHB Specials

PHB Sunday Special: Poptropica Doodle!

It’s tiiiime for another PHB special! You may have seen my Poptropican in the header or sidebar, but have you seen her doodled? ‘Cause I’ve got a speed drawing video of exactly that right here…

I started out with a rough sketch, traced it in black, and under that layer I colored it in – all that took about 50 minutes, but it’s been condensed into less than 3 for the video. Digital artwork was done by me on Sketchbook Express using a pen tablet. Also, if you’re interested, the PHB has a guide called How to Draw a Poptropican under the Cool Stuff tab.

For more Poptropica videos, please check out the PHB’s YouTube channel, the PHV (Poptropica Help Videos)! The user is MyPoptropicaHelp.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the video! 🙂

PHB Specials, Pop-over

PHB Pop-over Special: Bazinga!

The Big Bang Theory in Poptropica

Welcome to another PHB Sunday Special! Here we are at the comic book store with an engineer, theoretical physicist, blonde waitress, experimental physicist, and astrophysicist – ie. the main cast of the TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory! Here’s how you can dress like one of the nerds (left to right):

  • Howard: Shirt from guy in the Queequeg’s on the left (Back Lot, Main Street), hair & pants from goth guy on Reality TV (Main Street), belt from Masks & Capes Store (Super Power)
  • Sheldon: Lightning shirt from signup, belt & pants from Masks & Capes Store (Super Power), hair from lodger guy in front of Ghost Story Island graveyard, lightsaber from Sky Hawk Warrior (Store)
  • Penny: hair, lips, & skirt from girl on Cryptids Island (Main Street, right side), bangs from girl outside Mike’s Market (Reality TV, Main Street), apron from waitress in 24 Carrot diner, shirt from girl outside Astro-Knights planetarium (idea from here)
  • Leonard: Earth Day shirt from Don’t be an Energy Hog game, hair & glasses from people in the line outside the mall (Night Watch), jacket from superstitious salt guy on Ghost Story
  • Raj: Argyle sweater from innkeeper at Hemlock Inn, jacket from tent guy (Ghost Story), hair from signup (dye it black at 24 Carrot)

Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, we’ll leave you with one final word…

PHB Specials

A PHB Special: the Ongoing Story Creation

8mil ongoing story creation
In celebration of this Poptropica Help Blog recently reaching 8 million hits (thanks everyone!), we’re going to do something fun! In the comments section, ANYONE is welcome to join in as we weave an ongoing story, a Poptropica fan-fiction of sorts, told in second-person narrative. It begins here…

“Um, hello. I’m here to register for something called, uh, ‘Poptropica’?” Amidst the realm of blue vines in front of you, a crate, small and wooden, bounces out, shaking blue dust and spitting out a question of your gender. You stare incredulously before you finally manage to respond. “I’m a boy,” you tell the little box, and then it erupts a circle of numbers in individual bubbles as it asks you the next question. This is a very strange sign-up process, you think to yourself, as you decide to tell the box etched with a curious question mark that you are 9 years old.

“Your name is Jumpy Jumper. When you are ready, hop into the blimp and travel to any island.” You ponder the map for a while, but decide none of the islands suit you. “There’s got to be something better…” you mutter to yourself. Just then, you see it. Out of the corner of your eye, there’s another island, shrouded in mystery by layers of smog and unidentifiable smells. Island X.

“But no one’s ever been there before,” the voice warns, the voice of the box that had guided your creation earlier. “Jumpy Jumper, JJ, you can’t… how did that even get on the map anyway? It’s not safe… please no… JJ!!” But it’s too late. You’re gone.

What happens next? Will JJ survive the unknown dangers of the mysterious Island X? What is the island’s secret, its true name, the people, the villain(s), the setting? You and your fellow PHB readers get to decide what items he collects and uses, other places he visits, and the adventures that await…

RULES: Make sure it follows what others have written before you, makes sense, and if you wish to add a comment that is not part of the story itself, use parentheses, for example: (I think we should…) Your comment can be as long or short as you like and you are definitely welcome to contribute as many times as you like. Be creative!

Where will these words take us? Continue the story in the comments!