🦄 Ponytropica 🦄

A galactic load of store updates

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020 Gentle Dolphin

Hello, everyone! Gentle Dolphin here with the latest Poptropica news. We have few things to cover today including not one, not two, but three store updates! Let’s start things off with the typical weekly Pop store rotation.

Aside from the followers section, everything is different from last week. We have fun summer outfits including Nature Lover, Gone Fishing, Navy Raglan Outfit, Rib Wrap Outfit, Chomper Outfit*, Red Heart Outfit*, Ice Cream, and Big Burger. (* = members only)

Let out the power within with Flower Power, Torch, Phantom*, and Electrify*. (Side note: The Torch and Electrify powers look different in the Haxe version compared to the Flash version. The glowing effects don’t appear, so your avatar just has a color filter with some animated fire and lightning.)

You can get a little mischievous and transform people with the Troll, Zombify, and Medusa pranks. Finally, you can buy some miscellaneous items such as the Marshmallow Roaster, Hiking Boots, and a Colorizer Tool*! The Colorizer lets you quickly color your hair or skin tone, but you can already do that for free at the New You shop on Home Island. 😜

The Pop store isn’t the only place receiving changes. The Pet Barn has gotten a similar treatment. The pet store now has a smaller selection of new and old items, regardless of which version of the game you are playing.

Some familiar pet accessories are present including: Yellow Pigtails, Rainbow Horn*,Blue Tiara*, Pink Sunglasses*, Pilot Mask*, Eye Patch, Spike Collar*, Pink Tutu*, Butterfly Wings*, Flower Necklace, Zomberry Eyes, and Star Eyes*. All players can buy their pets new items such as the Buccaneer Hat, Monocle, Yellow Dead Eyes, and Dizzy Blue Eyes.

The clubhouse store also has a new lineup of furniture you can use to decorate your virtual home. We have 23 furniture items, with 10 being for members only (that’s twice as much as last time!).

Man, that’s a lot of store updates. Looking at all this makes us ask, “Will the pet and clubhouse stores also receive weekly updates?“

There hasn’t been any official announcement regarding this, and frequently updating three stores is pretty ambitious. Probably not, but we’ll keep an eye out just in case.

Now, let’s move on to some other game-related updates. You may come across some new loading screens while playing the Haxe version of Poptropica. These screens highlight some of the things you can do while playing the game such as buying items, customizing your look, and pampering your pet.

Poptropica has also been promoting the graphic novel series Galactic Hot Dogs, which was made into its own island back in 2015. When you log in, you automatically receive three interstellar gifts: three Galactic Hot Dogs books, a Mega Dog Costume, and an Ice Blaster (which was a store item last month).

The publicity doesn’t stop at prizes. On Home Island, you’ll find two Galactic Hot Dogs promos on the billboard. I wonder why Poptropica is promoting the Galactic Hot Dogs series now? The last book came out in 2017, and Galactic Hot Dogs Island was released in 2015. There doesn’t seem to be a new book coming soon, so are they building hype for the island’s release on the Haxe build? We’ll have to wait and see…

That’s all for now. What do you guys think about this week’s store lineups? Do you think the other stores will receive weekly updates as well? Have you read the Galactic Hot Dogs books? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Thank you for reading, and have a good day!

—Gentle Dolphin 🐬

Guest Posts, My Place in Poptropica

My Place in Poptropica: Tall Storm

June 10, 2020June 10, 2020 Slanted Fish

This is the My Place in Poptropica story of Tall Storm, an 8-year-old who found Poptropica from Jeff Kinney’s author blurb on Diary of a Wimpy Kid. See below for details on how to send in your MPIP story to be published here on the PHB!

Welcome, Tall Storm here! In this post I will explain how I came to Poptropica.

Discovering the old-school way, with Diary of a Wimpy Kid

So, it all started when I got a copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School. After seeing this book, I wanted the rest of the series. (To this day, I love reading these books. But anyway, let’s get back to Poptropica.)

I can’t remember when, but one time when I finished one of the books, I saw the blurb describing the other stuff that Jeff Kinney, the author, has done. One of these things was that he created Poptropica. So, one day I decided to play Poptropica.

Biting off that 24 Carrot — and more islands

I didn’t really play the game until a long time after I discovered it. But anyway, I first played Monkey Wrench Island, which was the tutorial island at the time. After that, I went on 24 Carrot Island…

And that’s where I got stumped. I didn’t know what to do. I looked on Google for guides on how to beat 24 Carrot — and that’s when I came across this very blog where you are now reading this post.

Thanks to the Poptropica Help Blog, I was able to complete 24 Carrot and get its medallion. And Time Tangled Island, which I completed, again, with the help of this blog.

Recently, I saw a post here on the PHB talking about the old islands returning. It was very exciting news for me, and for the second time, I got my own membership to access them! So far I’ve played Wimpy Wonderland, and of course, used the PHB’s guide to help me beat it.

By the way, my Poptropica username is Coolclam98 — so if Poptropica ever brings back the feature to add friends by username, you can add me! That’s all I have to say. Bye!

Hope you enjoyed this “My Place in Poptropica” story! If you did, you’ll probably enjoy our other MPIP stories here on the PHB.

If you haven’t already, we invite you to send in your own. Please include your username and at least 500 words, typed with good spelling and grammar, and divided into labeled sections. If you send in your story, we will continue to post new community MPIPs!

Interested in writing for the PHB under a different Pop-topic? Take a look at our Write for the PHB page for ideas, guidelines, and more. We’d love to hear from you!

~the Poptropica Help Blog

Bonus Items, Haxe Javascript, Member Gifts, Membership, Store

Classic Islands are back, but not forever

June 6, 2020February 28, 2025 Slanted Fish

Hey, Poptropicans! From the (temporary) return of classic islands (!!) to hot new summer items, there’s a lot to cover in this post. Let’s get started.

Players have been requesting the return of the classic, old school islands since they vanished from the map last July. Although there’s a backdoor way to access them, the popular demand ever since their disappearance has always been to officially reinstate them into the game itself. And now, they’re back!

*Four monochromatic, nostalgic pages of glorious classic islands await.*

The Creators have been listening, and this week they finally decided to bring back the classic islands. Though the team is still busy porting the islands to the Haxe Javascript build of Poptropica, they figured they would let us play the old islands while Flash is still available. To get started, find Early Poptropica Island on your map in Poptropica. Either the Flash or Haxe version will do…

…But as you can see, there is one major catch: it’s for members only. (Non-members, fear not: we’ll get to how you can join in on the fun, too.)

If you are a member, though, you’ll get a screen inviting you into Early Poptropica Island. Clicking “Play” will redirect you to the old Flash login page, where you’ll need to enter your login again to be brought to Early Pop.

From there, you can hop onto the blimp to travel across the various classic islands, as pictured earlier in this post. (And if you need them, we’ve still got guides for every island.) Keep in mind, however, that since this is old technology (Action Script 2), these islands can sometimes be buggy.

Why members only? Reddit user theodoor03 reached out to Poptropica support to ask this question, and shared the following response he received: in short, “Because of the islands’ age, they require a good deal of extra maintenance per player. [Poptropica] simply would not be able to support every player trying to access them right now.”

If you’re a non-member, don’t worry. You can still play the classic islands with the aforementioned backdoor method, which is to use idk’s Old Island Directory (also listed on our Glitching page). There are just a few more steps you’ll have to follow compared with before Poptropica’s members-only update, which are all outlined in the notes of the teleporter tool.

Happy exploring—while you can! Since Flash will be gone at the end of 2020, there’s only about half a year left before these islands are no longer playable, membership or not. Make the most of this moment!

Some players have reported seeing a new cinematic trailer video for Poptropica when logging into the Haxe build. The 30-second clip animates a sea of familiar islands, from iconic ones like Mythology and Arabian Nights (where Scheherezade is summoning… herself?) to classic ones like Twisted Thicket and Zomberry Island. You can watch the epic video here.

Could this be reassurance that some of these older islands will return in the future after Flash? (Hopefully for all players, too.)

Another week, another store update! Here’s what’s in on the first week of June. In total, we have 21 items in stock, 9 of which are for members only. Most notably, the Graduate costume is free for all! (And while you’re flapping about in these robes, take a moment to read the PHB’s 2020 commencement address as a note of encouragement for all Poptropicans!)

This week’s costumes are: Graduate, Spring Fling, Unicorn Girl*, Clover Kid, Lilac Star, Hiker Cutie*, and Wild Child*. (Lilac Star and Clover Kid are relatively cheap at 75 credits.) For followers, we have the Deer*, Chick, F.R.E.D. (from Galactic Hot Dogs), and Classic Pack*. Just two powers this week: Snow Fall and Flower Planting*. In pranks, there’s Hypno-Powder*, Silly Streams, Squirrel Prank*, and Bunny Wand. Finally, in miscellaneous: Marshmallow Roaster, Hiking Shoes, Classic PopGum*, and Balloons. (* = members only)

According to the Home Island billboard, store items will continue to rotate weekly, just as they have for the past couple of months. Huzzah!

And finally — it’s not only a new week but a new month, which means member gifts! June kicks off summer in the northern hemisphere, so the three flavors of Popsicles are quite fitting here. Members can also throw it back to 2015 with the Hover Scooter and Drone Flying Follower.

Like its real-life counterpart, the Hover Scooter (also known as a hoverboard) doesn’t actually hover, but simply glides, as shown in the gif below. Your Poptropican also suddenly puts on shoes to ride it.

*The Hover Scooter and other June member gifts in action.*

That’s it for this post! Share your thoughts in the comments—what islands do you want to see return in post-Flash Poptropica? what stands out to you in the new cinematic trailer? why is Poptropica bringing back a dead trend?—and we’ll see you next time. Stay safe, Poptropicans. ✊

Gentle Dolphin contributed reporting to this post. Thanks also to Purple Claw (former PHB staff) for tipping us off on several news items.

Uncategorized

A commencement address to Poptropicans of 2020

June 3, 2020December 12, 2020 Slanted Fish

This post is going to be a bit different from our usual news updates and fandom spotlights, but we want to take a moment to toast and encourage you, Poptropicans of unprecedented and tumultuous times. Here’s to you!

To the Poptropicans of 2020,

It’s been a strange year. We’re living in a global pandemic, yes, but that hasn’t stopped us from playing Poptropica. That threat lies elsewhere, in the impending end for Adobe Flash. But more on that later.

In some parts of the world, now’s about that time of the year when students graduate and have ceremonies to celebrate the occasion—gatherings which now, of course, may not happen in person, or at least will look different than usual. So if you’re graduating this year (whether from elementary, middle, high school or college): congratulations! 👩‍🎓 And even if it’s not your turn yet, what follows is still for you too.

Here at the Poptropica Help Blog, we want to commemorate with you with a commencement speech of sorts, to remind you of the times we’ve had, to give you hope, and to send each other into the world to come. So we’ve donned our caps and gowns (from the Graduation costume available now in the store!) and prepared a celebration for you. Let’s roll.

Some of you have discovered this game only recently, and others of you have been around for literally a decade. Either way, we’re all part of the Poptropica fam, and that’s worth celebrating! 🙌

As Poptropicans, we’ve ridden on gryphons, been chased by blueberry-infected zombies, trolled some lumberjerks, and had lots more adventures. (And when you were stuck, we were right here with illustrated island guides to help you through. 😉 ) How many of these moments in Poptropica do you remember?

It’s been a good long run, but things are different now. There’s uncertainty. We know that Flash will not be supported by the end of this year, and it’s resulted in drastic changes for Poptropica as they prepare for this future—it’s meant islands disappearing and cosmetic and structural changes to the game. A fresh, challenging, solid island adventure seems a long way away.

And offline, there’s uncertainty too. Plans have changed, and perhaps you’re not sure what the next year or even the next few months might look like. But it’s okay not to know. What you can hope in is this: the world needs you, noble Poptropican.

Remember your adventures in Poptropica, and all that was gained from them. Love sacrificially, as the Vizier did for you in Arabian Nights. Find joy in wonder, like Salerno with her alien structures in Lunar Colony. Live patiently, as with your grind for the Phoenix Warbird in Skullduggery. Even when these islands fade, their legacy remains. So know that the giants you’ve faced, and the friendships you’ve formed, have prepared you to take on the world with courage, kindness, and yes, even greatness.

Have hope, because you’ve come this far. Have faith, because you are surrounded by people who believe in you. And take heart, brave ones, because you’re just getting started.

*Life is made up of the everyday moments, and your part matters.*

A new world awaits. Poptropicans, may you rise up to meet it.

—the Poptropica Help Blog—

p.s. While you’re here, consider sharing in the comments about how Poptropica has shaped you as a person! ⭐️

Community Creations

Community Creations: May 2020

June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 Spotted Dragon

Hello once again everyone! Spotted Dragon here bringing you the May recap for Community Creations! May’s theme was Wild West (and the featured work is not in any particular order). Be sure to check out all the featured artists!

No clue what’s going on? Go see our intro post.

TOP 5 PICKS

In the Desert by happyclonetrooper

Wow, right off the bat I love the ambiance of this work. The warm hues and brilliant lighting really add to the western atmosphere. The composition is well arranged and there are lots of details that fill up the scene! Finding that sort of variety in an otherwise plain landscape can sometimes be a difficult task, but the textures here were nailed. And the presentation leaves me wanting more! Will our hero find her way home, or succumb to the harsh temperatures of her environment? Very smooth execution! Find her DeviantArt here.

Snake Oil Salesman by Gentle Dolphin (aka JordynGowens)

Oooh, now this is an interesting take on our theme! While most of us think of El Mustachio Grande when we imagine the Wild West, that’s not the only villain of the desert! Hardcore Poptropica fans will certainly remember R.J. Earl, the infamous salesman of Wild West Island. The tonics and mixtures that he offers may seem “too good to be true,” but… what do you think? Anyway, the attention to detail in this piece is wonderful, making for another vividly atmospheric scene. The lighting is gorgeous, the lineart is smooth and crisp, the items in the shop add great easter eggs, and the colors are brilliant! A truly unique entry with an intriguingly symmetrical composition! Find her DeviantArt here.

Lone Coyote’s Fond Memories by Perfect Fish (aka jaekelopterus3)

Lots of detail in this submission too! The busy composition here presents a lot of information, but truly represents the fun of Wild West Island! With the changes in Poptropica we’re all facing right now, this piece definitely reflects the nostalgia and perhaps worry that we are all feeling. The work has a ton of brilliant energy, making for a whimsical, childlike mood (perfect for Poptropica of course). I love the elements of text, the bold colors, and the vivid texture. Plus, we don’t often get to see Poptropicans portrayed with fingers! Attention can be found in every inch of the paper, for sure! Find the artists in the comment section and on Discord.

Staring Down the Barrel of a Gun by ray-of-flight

Ah, yet another piece with brilliant lighting! The warm hues, once again, are very appropriate for this month’s theme and make for a particularly interesting color palette. I love the drama found within this scene, especially given the angled lighting and the perspective of the viewer. The foreshortening required in the pose is a difficult one to pull off, but the view of the gun certainly makes the effort worth it. The composition is more straightforward, but that certainly adds to the drama! Excellent work! Find their DeviantArt here.

Ready for the Showdown by AdventurersNHunters

Here, we see “Sheriff Jackson ‘Red Hunt’ Smith and Deputy Darcy ‘Yellow Stone’ Stone Versus El Mustachio Grande and The Grande Gang.” How exciting! According to the artist, “Red was just visiting his home island while Yellow went there due to what is happening there. Suddenly, Yellow and Red run into eachother and have no choice but to work together, they still hate eachother. Jackson only did to hunt down El Mustachio and claim his reward.” Dun dun duh!!! This piece is definitely filled with drama and excitement, perfectly showcasing a true western showdown. It’s as if it were a movie poster for an old western film! I love all the different characters, the colored blocking within the composition, and the dark shading. Wonderful! Find her DeviantArt here.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Lots of Grande fan art this month, which was super cool!

JUNE: HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

Community Creations is a cool series for anyone in the Poptropica community to join in on. To sum up what it’s about, it’s basically a chance to show off your artwork, creepy fan-fics, Pop clubhouses, costumes, and anything else that pops into your mind.

If we really like the piece you submit, we will feature it here on the PHB! As long as it relates to that month’s theme. So what is June’s theme? June’s theme is…

Monochromatic

With June kicking off Pride month and the continued fight for equality, the significance of color never ceases to be prominent. Luckily in art, color is an element for self expression and pride rather than something that divides us. So this month, let’s showcase some color in our amazing community, but with an added challenge!

Monochromatic, if you aren’t familiar, means “one color.” Therefore, I challenge you to submit work that you make using only one color! Remember that different shades and tints of that color, as well as neutrals are allowed. So get creative, and maybe we will be able to feature work from EVERY COLOR OF THE RAINBOW! And if you aren’t into drawing, remember that you can still participate. Perhaps write a story with one color being particularly important, write a poem about all your favorite purple things in Poptropica maybe, or even put together an outfit in Poptropica that’s all one color. It’s all up to you, so let your color shine with pride!

Comment below with a link to whatever you’ve created OR share it with me (SydVC aka Spotted Dragon) on DeviantArt, Twitter, or Discord.
Results: I will feature 5 of the submissions as well as 3 honorable mentions.
Limitations: Nothing NSFW, and make sure you relate to the theme.
Due Date: I will take any entries before the end of this month. Submit as many things as you’d like!

I will be sure to let you know I have seen your creation. While quality counts, I’m mainly looking for something to simply catch my eye, so don’t be afraid to join in!

So what are you waiting for? Go make something awesome!

~SD