Guest Posts

Branding do’s and don’ts, explained through Poptropica icons ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽค

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Mud Bub, whoโ€™ll be diving into some do’s and don’ts of personal branding from a Poptropica perspective. Enjoy!

Whether through local shops or worldwide figureheads, Poptropica is riddled with examples of personal and brand designs.

Brand design can be used in many ways. Businesses use them in order to stand out against competitors and to attract consumersโ€”that’s corporate branding. Even other entities can use corporate branding to stand out, like schools and sports teams. And people can use personal branding if they want to stand out as an influencer or on a resumรฉ.

But how do Poptropica icons use branding, and what can we learn from them? Let’s take a look…

Donโ€™t: Set a bad example

Who could forget Sir Rebralโ€™s clever moniker or Gretchen Grimlockโ€™s pink spunk? Memorable names and imagery are key to gathering an audience. However, while lovable villains may get publicity, they canโ€™t reap the benefits behind bars. Be humble, instead. Like Ned Noodlehead.

Do: Appeal to the masses

Talk about knowing your audience! These logos for the Tribes of Poptropica are all alluring in their own ways that is bound to attract players. Not only can players excitedly pick their own teams, but the designs certainly bring about a sense of identity with community.

Donโ€™t: Be a clichรฉ

We love Black Widow, especially that hair! But, really? She couldnโ€™t have thought of a more unique gimmick? Been there, done that.

Do: Be consistent, memorable and applicable

These icons representing Poseidon (trident), Zeus (lightning bolt), and Hades (skull) from Mythology Island are so well applied! Theyโ€™re found on the mirror, island logo, and even on the medallion and merchandise. On the other hand, while they โ€‹arenโ€™tโ€‹ the most original, they are still easily recognizable to all Poptropicans and make the trio of gods truly memorable.

Donโ€™t: Be afraid to expand your horizons

Because of Elf Archerโ€™s persona and multi-media presence, she is beloved by many Poptropican geeks and is recognized as one of the biggest faces of PoptropiCon Island. She prevails not just on paper, but on cardboard, plaques, and theaters.

Do: Pop EVERYWHERE

Not to preach to the choir here, but Poptropica does this best. The very vessel of transportation for the player โ€” the yellow Poptropica blimp โ€” is a giant free ad of Poptropica in and of itself. We donโ€™t just recognize Poptropica from its logo, but from its other iconography as well, from unique character designs to the tropical blue patterns and yes, the yellow blimp. These designs have truly stood the test of time.

Donโ€™t: Communicate a bad message

Sheesh, who would write something like that? Anyway, healthy competition is fine and all, but it is never appropriate to put others down or get a big ego in the process.

Do: Advocate for yourself

CJ on Shrink Ray Island is known for more than just being a science genius. She thought quickly on her feet and helped you return to normal size, fighting against evil! CJ’s noble character makes her the literal face of the island, on par with Big Nate and Greg Heffley on their respective islands. While CJ is not an overt example of branding like the other two, being the face of an attraction is certainly comparable and commendable.

Additional tip: Be inspired

There’s so much to see on Poptropica โ€” have a look around, and you’re bound to find some inspiration for how you want to portray yourself. Be inspired, but be uniquely you!

โ€“Mud Bub


Hope you enjoyed thisย guest postย by Mud Bub. If you did, you might also like her other posts, Museum of masks, Poptropica-style and Pop 5: Islands From an Artistโ€™sย Perspective.

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. You can find some tips and guidelines on our page on how to Write for the PHB, and share blog posts on the PHC, our Discord server.

๐Ÿ“ฐ If you have an idea for a PHB post, send it in! โœจ

PHB Parties

Recap: “Gone in a Flash” Holiday Party ๐ŸŽ„๐Ÿ’ฅ

Hey Poptropicans! This weekend, just two weeks before the end of 2020, the Poptropica Help Blog commemorated two things at our “Gone in a Flash” Holiday Party: the death of Adobe Flash, Poptropica’s longtime game engine; and celebrations for the holidays in Poptropica’s Flash-based common rooms โ€” for the last time. Here are the highlights! โœจ

We began the memorial on the PHC with a eulogy for Flash…

In Loving Memory of Poptropica on Adobe Flash ๐Ÿ˜”

In 2007, Poptropica was born
Bringing islands, costumes, friends, and more
A universe built on Adobe Flash
But now this systemโ€™s about to crash ๐Ÿ’ฅ

So much has changed, so much now lost
What to do as Flash turns to frost?
Gather round, and bring your flowers
Press f in chat for its final hours ๐Ÿฅ€

(A moment was given for everyone to pay their respects with an F in the chat, and later, Purple Paw lowered the coffin. RIP Adobe Flash, 1996โ€“2020.)

From the ashes, a new star rises
Haxe is bringing new surprises
In the meantime, let us cheer
After all, the holidays are here! ๐ŸŽ„

Now comes the time to celebrate
On Poptropica โ€” Flash, for old timeโ€™s sake
Get ready to party! Boom boom boom
Meet you in 24 Carrot’s common room! ๐Ÿฅ•

And thus we gave our last hurrah to Flash, with festive costumes and holiday cheer in the 24 Carrot and Mythology Island common rooms. The party enjoyed its share of fun Flash items that haven’t made their way to Haxe yet, from the lightning-fast Feats of Speed sneakers to the infamously lag-inducing Fart Gun. Plus, both the text and voice chats on our PHC Discord server were filled with laughter, thunder, and even a dose of language learning. A merry time! ๐Ÿฅณ

Though we’ll miss the many adventures we shared with Flash over the years, we’re looking forward to what Poptropica on Haxe will bring in 2021 and beyond. Thank you for joining us, and keep on poppin’! ๐Ÿ’™

Uncategorized

This year, give the gift of Grapple-Pap ๐ŸŽ

Heyo, Poptropicans! Big news: as promised, the festive Grapple-Pap side quest has appeared on Pop! After playing through it, I found it to be a very intriguing adventure. To begin, head across the wondrously snowy Home Island and speak to the man with a pile of presents.

Heโ€™ll ask you to deliver a gift to his sister. But before you accept the challenge, thereโ€™s one thing that needs to be set straight; what exactly is Grapple-Pap? According to the man, itโ€™s โ€˜the time of year Poptropicans give gifts and merrimentโ€™. So itโ€™s essentially the Poptropica version of Christmas! (I wonder what other holidays Poptropicans celebrate…)

If youโ€™re feeling ready to go Grapple-Papping, respond with a โ€˜sureโ€™ and youโ€™ll be whisked off to start the adventure! Keep reading for a full guide with pictures below.

Youโ€™ll be in a very festive-looking town. Everybodyโ€™s dressed up in traditional Grapple-Pap apparel. Walk on up the road. Youโ€™ll pass by several townspeople getting ready for the holiday, including three jump-ropers and an ice-skater!

When asked where Clareta is, they all come up with generally the same answers. Nobodyโ€™s seen her for years, and they think that the Grapple-Pap got her. After all, if you donโ€™t spread cheer, the great Grapple-Pap will get you for one whole year…very mysterious indeed. One will also tell you that the holiday is named after somebody called the Grapple-Pap! Finally, youโ€™ll find a Poptropican who will give you a clue about Clareta. The baker up at the Salty Nugget tells you that Clareta lives in Cold Cliff Pass. An NPC wandering near the Salty Nugget will also warn you that Clareta has become ‘mean’ over the years…that can’t mean anything good.

Following the bakerโ€™s advice, go right to Cold Cliff Pass. Thereโ€™s quite a bit of pretty winter scenery in this area.

It’s cold outside…

Keep walking down the hill until you reach a tunnel of ice with several floating platforms. Thereโ€™s a stone block with an engraving on it; push it all the way against the far wall of the ice cave, and jump on it to reach the last platform. From there, climb onto the top slope and exit the ice tunnel.

Walk up a second hill and you’ll find yourself in front of a ledge with another stone block on top of it. Hop onto the ledge, and push the block off of it. Keep pushing it until you reach a very tall snowdrift. Using the block as a boost, climb up onto the snowdrift.

Go down another ice tunnel, and jump up onto a second tunnel above it, this one filled with snow and holly. There’s another stone block wedged in this tunnel, so you’ll have to push it out before you can proceed. From there, you’ll see a rope. Climb up it, and you’ll be in a blizzard; dangerous, yet beautiful. Walk against the blizzard down a hill–and, hey, there’s footprints in the snow here! Clareta must live nearby!

It sure is winter here.

Sure enough, at the bottom of the slope there’s a (rather rundown) house. Enter it.

Whoa, this house sure is creepy…just look at that huge, uh, whatever it is, hanging from the ceiling! But there’s a fire in the grate, so somebody must still live here. Walk through the house as far as you can go, past a huge bed with a bearskin on it, and you’ll see a piece of paper perched on a windowsill. Click on it, and you’ll see…

Aw, it’s Clareta and her brother (the man who sent you on the quest) at a Grapple-Pap years ago! Just look how young and happy they were…and it looks like Clareta is holding a Grapple-Pap gift not much different from the one you were sent to deliver to her. The two of them must have lived here together, at least when they were younger.

Once you’ve finished admiring that cute image, close it, and something quite frightening will happen. The bed behind you begins to shake…there’s a lump moving under the covers…and a very angry and bedraggled Clareta will burst out!! (Apologies for the horrible screenshot. I definitely wasn’t expecting something like that to happen!)

“I have a Grapple-Pap gift from your–“

Wow, somebody’s feeling nasty today. Clareta will scream at you to leave her house, which you, quite willingly, do. That Grapple-Pap’ll always get you if you’re not careful, as Clareta clearly demonstrated. But you can’t let it end like this…there must be something you can do to remind Clareta of the holiday spirit!

And, indeed, an opportunity presents itself! A very large pile of snow outside the house falls away to reveal a huge stone block with what must be the Grapple-Pap himself engraved upon it. Click on the block, and it’ll slide down the hill and crash straight into Clareta’s house! Oops…

Another scream will issue from the now-broken house, and Clareta will come outside and sprint away, promising that she’ll spread cheer. Run along after her.

Follow her back into the town, where she’ll be dancing (sudden change in mood, huh?) while holding a Grapple-Pop. She’ll thank you for reminding her what Grapple-Pap is all about, and gives you a Grapple-Pop as your reward. Congratulations, you’ve completed the Grapple-Pap quest!

Equip the Grapple-Pop and press space bar to turn everybody’s heads green.

Welp, that sure was a wild ride! Even though it’s not a full island, this side quest has really given us some insight on Poptropican lore and traditions. Overall, I think it’s pretty cool (pun may or may not be intended). But what do you think? Let us know in the comments down below! Merry Grapple-Pap!

~Purple Paw

Advertisements, Fan Art Features, Membership, Pets, Social Media

Walking with wolves and our creatively festive pets

Hello, everyone! We’ll be checking out one magical advertisement, two wild prizes, three festive accessories, and four creative illustrations. But enough counting, let’s get reporting!

We have a new ad game for the Apple Original film “Wolfwalkers.” To start your adventure, go inside the tree and talk to apprentice hunter Robyn. You have three minutes to explore a dark woodland maze and hunt seven wolves as well as one wolfwalker (a human who can turn into a wolf). When the creatures pop out of their hiding places, walk over to them to capture them.

Once you find all eight creatures, you will be rewarded with the Wolf Follower and the Wolf Transformation. In order to transform, equip the Wolf Transformation item and press the spacebar to (temporarily) become a wolf.


We received a tip from PHB reader PercyJackson1010, who told us that members have received three new holiday items for their pets: Red Plaid Scarf, Reindeer Antlers, and Cozy Sweater. How could we have missed these adorably festive outfits!?


To wrap up this post, let’s take a look at some awesome creations that the Creators have featured on Instagram. We have pet designs by capax_infini aka GEAR, Game Show Island art by PHB author Lucky Joker, a Christmas illustration by happyclonetrooper, and Baby Dr. Hare drawings by adventurersnhunters.


That’s all for now, but there’s still a lot more to come! The new Christmas side-quest is promised to release later today, the Create Your Dream Island contest will be ending tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. Pacific, and we at the PHB will be hosting our “Gone In a Flash” Holiday Party on the PHC this Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern time. We hope to see you guys there!

Thank you for reading, and have a good day!

โ€”Gentle Dolphin ๐Ÿฌ

Sneak Peeks

Winter side-quest drops this week! โ„๏ธ

Hey Poptropicans, you donโ€™t have to wait much longer for a new Poptropica story, a wintry side-quest teased just last week. The Creators announced that it drops tomorrow! (This post has been updated with a new sneak peek since it was published.)

Sneak peek from the Creatorsโ€™ Blog. Looks like they could be villagers who live in the village scene depicted last week!

As Poptropica shared before, this is going to be a limited time event with a new story and new characters. Youโ€™ll also get to win special prizes!

And this week, they threw in a couple more details too: โ€œLook for your starting point on Home Island and help solve the mystery.โ€ So now we know thereโ€™s going to be a riddle on our hands!

UPDATE: The Creators shared another sneak peek for the upcoming side-quest on Instagram! Looks like weโ€™ll be delivering a Grapple-Pap to Clareta tomorrow…

โ€œAn old man has asked you to deliver a Grapple-Pap gift to his sister in a far off land.โ€

Stay tuned to the PHB too โ€” weโ€™ll be here tomorrow to share all you need to know with a guide to this new adventure. Be sure to check out the post below, too, to catch up on what else is going on in the Poptropica community this week! Pop on, Poptropicans. โœŒ๏ธ