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Popular Poptropican: Noveen

July 11, 2021July 11, 2021 Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, welcome to another Popular Poptropican interview! ⭐️ Today’s guest is Noveen, an honorary winner of the title in the 2020 Poppies. As a longtime member of the community, he’s served in roles such as mod on the PHC, admin on the Poptropica Club Discord server, as well as rep of the Black Flags in the PHB’s 2020 Tribal Tournament.

Welcome, Noveen aka Quick Sponge! Let’s pop into it.

Which Poptropica community events do you enjoy?

Maybe these are a bit more underground, but I like contests and puzzles that people come up with. In contrast to parties, these tend to go on for several days while simultaneously creating hype. They also give something for my brain to chew on. Contests are always a great time for people to create art and other works. Pop Month, an event the Dimension Bros started last year, is also fun because it brings more fans to the community and I like watching everyone’s videos.

What do you enjoy about the Poptropica community?

I like that there are all kinds of people from all over the world. I have learned a lot about society and different communities, both good and bad. I also think it’s a bit funny or unexpected that a game like Poptropica can bring together people who are just so different, which in my opinion isn’t the case in other communities that may have a more homogenous demographic.

Meeting new people always gives you a new perspective and a chance to reformulate your outlook on things (or simply become more knowledgeable and concrete in what you believe), so that’s a good thing, and I think the original Pop Creators would be happy about it.

De Plane: This is, at last, a paradise island.

What do you hope for the future of Poptropica and its fandom?

Poptropica certainly isn’t the same today as when I was 8 years old. the best thing that could happen for me personally is Poptropica redeveloping their approach to the game, possibly targeting an older demographic (considering many fans have aged) or maybe even a spin-off project specifically designed for older fans. The most important thing is to increase the quality of writing in islands because most people aren’t happy with recent developments.

As for the fandom, people come and go all the time, but the people who’ve stuck around are some of my closest friends. I’m confident that no matter what happens, there will at least be people having fun talking to each other and sharing creative works. I’m excited to see where everyone will go in life once we’ve all grown up.

Liftoff: Up, up in my beautiful balloon.

What inspires your Poptropica original characters (OCs)?

I only have pretty much 2 OCs, including Quick Sponge and Short Gamer.

To be honest, I saw Short Gamer on an ASG page and kind of claimed her as my own, since no one else had. She was just sitting there like an orphan. I noticed she had a cybergoth look and went off that. My version of Short Gamer is a cute, short, goth Asian lady, like someone I would want to be friends with.

For Quick Sponge, I sort of based him off my personal style/interests without having a personality too close to my own. He’s supposed to be stupid, but in an endearing way. Not sure exactly when it started, but at some point I made him start dating Short Gamer.

How has Poptropica influenced you?

When I was a kid, a lot of my friends in the Pop community were developing artists and they really inspired me. Sadly I don’t talk to many of them anymore, but I’ll always remember their influence on me. The community in general has had a lot of people (mostly older than me) who have sort of acted like mentors to me. I’ve had opportunities to explore a wide variety of projects like helping with Bloody Shrink Ray (a fan-made island with lots of blood, and which was only playable with Flash) and watching the process.

Ready, Yeti?: An early sketch of Bigfoot for Cryptids Island. We decided to make him scarier!

As for the game itself, I learned a lot from the older islands when I was a kid. The goal was to educate kids in fun ways, after all. Some of it has stuck around, like having a basic understanding of Morse code in Shrink Ray or urban legends from Cryptids. There are probably a lot of things I know today that I don’t even realize I learned from Poptropica when I was young.

What is your favorite feature (still here or gone) from the many years of Poptropica?

There were a lot of fun features like the Costumizer, Colorizer, and Costume Closet, but if I had to pick one thing in Poptropica, it would be those little pop quizzes you took when you logged in and it showed up on your profile. I always thought it was a fun way to learn a little bit about other people while also sharing a bit about myself. Plus, it’s always fun to answer things about yourself.

Quizzical: Time for you to become a Poptropica icon.

What is your favorite Easter egg/reference in Poptropica?

I like the numbers you can call on the phone on Nabooti Island (911, 411, 1225, 1337).

(You can friend Noveen on Poptropica with the username partygame3)

🌟 Would you like to be the next Popular Poptropican? 🌟

To nominate yourself or someone you know, contact the PHB with the following:

the name of your nominee (a Poptropica name or other screen name)
a reason why your nominee should be the next Popular Poptropican

Thank you for reading, and stay awesome, Poptropicans!

~🐠

Merchandise, Reviews

Pop Merch Review: Funny Bunny Hat 🐰🧢

July 10, 2021July 11, 2021 Spotted Dragon

Originally published on the Poptropica Creators’ Blog.

Hey Poptropicans! Today, I’m bringing you a quick review of the Funny Bunny Farmer’s Hat from the official Poptropica Zazzle Store.

The cap costs US$14.95 and comes in one style: white/green. Though it comes in one size, there is an adjustable snap strap on the back ranging from 17″ to 24″. The front is made of 100% polyester foam and the back is 100% nylon mesh. It is a trucker style hat, so the mesh back is quite breathable.

The Funny Bunny Carrot Farm comes from 24 Carrot Island and is certainly a recognizable, classic design. Other than this hat, it is also available on a mug. I’m impressed with the quality of the print!

The foam front is a bit stiff, but not too bad. And the adjustable strap works well. The brim is strong, yet flexible, and the hat is overall pretty comfortable to wear.

I’ll be excited to wear my new Funny Bunny hat more this summer and see how it holds up against the brutal summer sun.

Thanks to the Poptropica Creators for sponsoring this post! They gifted the PHB a Zazzle gift card so we could share these reviews with you guys. Check out the PHB’s Merchandise Guide for more product info! 💫

Stay funny, Poptropicans!

~SD

Creators' Blog Guest Posts, Fan Art Features, S.O.S. Island

Call me Instagram—I mean, Ishmael 🐳

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021 Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans! In this post, we’ve got Instagram highlights of fan art and more, plus a guest writer looking into a Poptropica character with history. Let’s pop in!

First up, on Instagram this week, the Pop Creators shared an IGTV video showing off the brand new Baron’s airship. And as usual, it’s followed by lots of fantastic fan art, including costume contest entries, OCs, and even the PHB’s 2021 Poppies, where nominations are currently open! 🏆

Pop Creators’ video highlight of the Baron’s airship

Also on Instagram, the Creators shared a new graphic to celebrate the 4th of July, aka US Independence Day last weekend. It’s a little ironic that Dr. Hare, Poptropica’s resident carrot slave owner, is out here proclaiming freedom. But hey, villains do love a good fireworks show! 🎆

In other news, the Creators’ Blog recently shared a guest post from a new guest writer, Happy Starfish, who gave a deep dive into an old Poptropica character that’s been making a few comebacks: Ishmael, the boy in blue winter clothes.

You may remember the guy from Fairytale Island when you were carrying Cinderella to the ball, or sometimes spot him in ad spaces promoting the Arcade. But if you’re a real Pop veteran, you may recognize him as the whale lover you saved on the now-gone SOS Island.

Although the post doesn’t mention the kid’s name, it does have significance: Ishmael is a nod to the first-person narrator in the classic 1851 novel Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, on which the story of SOS Island draws inspiration. Anyway, you can read more about this beloved blue character on the Creators’ Blog!

That wraps up this post! Hope you enjoyed the fan art and archival look into the iconic Ishmael, and be sure to catch up below on all things Red Baron. Stay cool, Poptropicans!

~🐠

Baron's Airship, Clubhouse, Store

Airship brings Baron with game, exotic goods, and explorers’ greetings 🚁

July 8, 2021July 8, 2021 Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, something new is in the air, and it’s painted red! ✨

As previously teased, the Red Baron’s massive airship has arrived on Home Island, bringing a new mini-game, interesting items, a common room and more. You’ll see it first thing when you log in, with the Baron swinging from a dangling rope. Tap on the rope and click “enter”!

Pop-up notifications about online friends — that’s new

This Baron appears to be quite the gender-bending character. It’s interesting that she takes the male title of “Baron,” as she was formerly known as the Red Baroness (female title) when she first appeared on Monkey Wrench Island. The Creators’ Blog post announcing her arrival also alternates between using she/her and they/their pronouns for the Baron, further suggesting the character’s gender nonconformity.

Anyway, to the left of the ship, you can talk to the Baron, who introduces herself as the “greatest adventurer in Poptropica.” Seems like she’s taken over the title from Xavier in the Home Island starter quest! Perhaps she needs her own statue on Home Island too…

On the right, you’ll find the Baron’s plane, the Red Jenny, operated by her monkey Ack. Hop in and you can play a mini-game called Clear the Skies! This involves taking a joyride on the plane, smashing other airships you see to rack up points as you fly above the islands of Poptropica. Collect salvage (box with balloon) for a wind boost, and avoid the storm clouds — if you take too much damage, you’ll crash.

If you last long enough in the air, you’ll make it back to the Baron’s airship and win 50 credits! You can replay this as often as you like for more credits — after all, there’s shopping to do just around the corner!

Back over to the other side, next to the Baron, you’ll find the Cabin of Curiosities. It’s like Amelia’s Adventure Outfitters on Home Island, but cooler. Or so the Baron claims, anyway.

Inside, you’ll find the winning designs from the monthly costume contest available for free! June’s winners were the Love Potion Demon and Movie Geek. You can even see the original drawings on the shop walls! Remember, July’s contest is open until the 16th.

The shop floor also offers various other fascinating items, though not free. Among them are costumes: Binary Bard (previously only available from ASG tricks), Cosmic Noble (which can switch between galactic purple and fiery orange and comes at a costly 700 credits), Cyber Hunter (also in two shades), and Dragon (long lost from the stores of yore). You can also buy clubhouse decor from across the islands: a bonsai tree from Red Dragon, portrait of Mordred from Astro-Knights, and Hercules statue from Mythology. All available to non-members!

You’ll also find the Baron lounging on a red throne, being fed grapes by her loyal monkey. Ask about it and she’ll throw shade at Amelia’s Home Island store by calling it “quaint.” (Btw, the answer to “Don’t you have one?” might be yes! The Monkey Follower, which is Ack’s twin minus the goggles, was a member gift back in 2019. Thanks to Silver Horse for that tip.)

And hey, Amelia’s shop downstairs isn’t doing too badly. This week, she’s offering two new costumes inspired by summer’s water balloon fights: the Water Fight and Water Battle, both available to all. 💦🎈

Back onboard the airship, you may find some other players roaming around — that’s because the Baron’s base also serves as a common room, like the Arcade! 🚀 You’ll find the usual chat and emoji buttons in the bottom left corner, but they’ve both been upgraded: the chat buttons are bigger and the topics are now in blue, plus there are new emojis to enjoy, including a frozen blue Poptropican and purple devil.

There’s also a new invite button, which takes you to the friends page. From there, you can invite your friends to join your own private party room, aka your clubhouse! It didn’t load for me, but Silver Horse on the PHC kindly shared a pic (and besides, his clubhouse is pretty rad).

If all this is getting to be too much, you can run right and just jump right off the Baron’s airship into oblivion. You’ll hear a scream (is it you or Ack?) as you descend, and soon find yourself teleported back to the ledge where you jumped from. There’s no escape…

…just kidding. When you’ve had your fill of fun, you can leave through the way you came, down the ladder marked “exit.”

Remember, the Baron comes by for a limited time (how brief, we don’t know), so enjoy the airship while it’s here! They’ll be back once a month with new player-designed winning costumes and other cool things from their travels around Poptropica that you can pick up.

RIP to all the islands lost in time. Bring them old islands back, Poptropica!

What are your thoughts on the Baron and her wares? Are you enjoying the new interactive features with other players? Share your thoughts in the comments, and maybe find a new friend or two to hang out with on the flashy red Poptropica blimp! 🎉 Keep on popping on!

~🐠

Island Flash-backs, Uncategorized

Island Flash-back: Counterfeit 🖼

July 7, 2021July 7, 2021 Agent Bubbles

We are halfway through the year, and this series! I probably should get this post finished ASAP because I finished a workout earlier and will probably be sore in the morning.

One thing that helps many people get through the long, hot summer months is doing art! And it just so happens that there’s a Poptropica Island centered around that–along with a mystery that only you can solve. July’s Island is…

Counterfeit!!!

Counterfeit Island is one that a lot of people from the pre-Haxe days loved and remembered. The story revolved around a museum in an idyllic French city, and the thief who planned to ruin it all. (Plus, check out our Pop Places IRL take on the setting!) Of course, I think we can all agree that the Black Widow is the most remembered aspect of this island, like many other villains. 🕷

Sadly, there was little concept art to be found this time. I scoured the Daily Pop archives, but as Counterfeit was released before its creation and they never uploaded past art for it later, I only managed to find this sketch from an old Creators’ Blog post.

Concept art for the design of the secret puzzle to the museum

That doesn’t take away from the impressive design work though! While simplistic, it’s also chic with a lovely bright color palette and great designs of the locations such as the museum and the Black Widow’s lair.

This island should be brought back for those cool spider designs on the bunker walls alone.

Unlike its more fantastical and less educational predecessor Astro-Knights, Counterfeit includes many famous paintings with information on art history, as well as the art forgery that collectors and museums have to deal with.

(Small reminder that using the name “Inspector Veuvre Noire” in a FRENCH TOWN should prove that we would be a lot safer from these villains if only the all the other NPCs didn’t have a single shared brain cell.)

Before I say my closing words, I would also like to showcase this Skullduggery fanart for our previous Island Flash-back made by Dangerous Dragon! Thank you so much for your participation in this, DD! 😁

Now comes your turn, Poptropicans! Let’s remind the Creators why this island became so memorable, and why the efforts that went to create it should not go to waste! Encourage them to preserve their past stories and the potential they held!

Until August! (Hint: Olympics)

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles