Tag: poptropica

Community Creations

Community Creations: July 2021

Spotted Dragon
community-creations-logo

Hello once again everyone! Spotted Dragon here bringing you the July recap for Community Creations! July’s theme was Fancy (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

Fancy Poppies Couple by BrittScarlet

Now, this elegant couple is in perfect attire for the Poppies, wouldn’t you agree? BrittScarlet captions the image on Instagram with “Breaking News: Smart Sinker a infamous adventure was seen at the 2021 Poppies with Binary Bard rocking out in their fancy outfits,” which adds all the more story to the scene. I can easily imagine all the flashing lights of cameras and pop-arazzi at this blue carpet event! And to think, a hero and villain couple? Scandalous! I love the smooth coloring, line art, and, of course, the fancy outfits. Find her Instagram here.

Awards Show by Midnightoilstudios

Another carpeted event (this one more red than blue) is quite the fancy setting. But what really stands out here is the villain-inspired clothing! Original character “Aria” is sporting a Dr. Hare inspired look while “Sean” showcases a Black Widow themed getup. I love that sort of creative design work, and, I gotta say, I’m a bit jealous of that spider-web suit jacket. You think I could pull it off? Either way, this is a fantastically fancy scene and I love the glitter texture added in many elements. Find her DeviantArt here.

Most Likely to Succeed by Barefoot Knuckle

Here we may have another carpeted awards show, but the awards themselves are a bit different. CJ from Shrink Ray Island is featured in this scene receiving a trophy for an invention. It’s a bit of a step up from first place at the local science fair, huh? I love how even in this fancier-than-average setting, CJ’s personality still shines through in her expression. And Barefoot Knuckle even researched science trophies and formal hairstyles/dresses when crafting their composition! Excellent work was put into this creation and it shows. Find the artist frequently in the comment section.

Getting Ready for the Poppies by Golden Heart

Ooo la la! This gown easily caught my attention. The shimmering blue dress paired with those elegant gloves just screams fancy! Or, perhaps politely whispers it? Let’s be mannerly here, of course. Anyway, I asked for glitter and I sure got it in this piece. But I also have to commend the pose of the character, as the closed eyes and bent arms seem to elevate the grace of the design. Simple, put certainly poised and well executed! Find her frequently in the comment section and the PHC Discord.

Month of Fancy Short Story by Shy Scorpion

The party that makes history, at least that’s what the invitation said. You look at the castle in awe. How did you get an invite into a fairy-tale ball on Fairy Tale Island do you ask? This ball is being held to celebrate the one year anniversary of We-Didn’t-Get-Out-Happy-Endings-Sucked-Away, and since you defeated Rumplestiltskin (the guy responsible for almost taking away all the happy endings) they invited you. That’s why you are walking up the red carpeted stairs in your fanciest, sparkliest, most expensive outfit you could find.

Wow, the place looks… Well, fancy! Massive chandeliers, bejeweled vases, and everything is shiny, right down to the people. Floor length gowns with so many flounces and pressed suits with expensive looking bow ties. But while all these things are nice to look at, you are really hoping to see your friends.

You look around and finally are able to spot Snow White looking stunning in a purple ball gown and an exquisite bun and tiara. “Hi Snow, how are you doing?” you say as you run over. “Adventurer Kid, hi, I’m doing great.” Then you notice the man standing next to her. Ringmaster Raven!

KEEP READING HERE!

This story takes our suggestion of a Fairy Tale Island fanfiction and truly brings it to life. I always love seeing what you guys can do with written submissions. Revisiting these characters a year after the ending of the island is super fun, especially with the addition of other fan-favorite characters like Ringmaster Raven. Maybe we should listen to the fans about rewriting the ending to Fairy Tale Island after all… But anyway, it suits our fancy theme quite well. I can just imagine the sparkly dresses! Find Shy Scorpion frequently in the comments, and read another fanfiction of theirs here on the PHB.

Honorable Mentions

  • Olympian Gods Dinner by AdventurersNHunters
  • Fancy Nyah by Kid Whom Has a Hat
  • Popover Masked Singer by Smart Icicle
  • Poptropica Fancy Entry by 1234rose18
  • Princess Scheherazade by Barefoot Knuckle
  • Cute Outfit for the Poppies by Dangerous Dragon
  • SB Poppies by Sporty Boa
  • Fancy by Friendly Feather

My, my, everyone was quite fancy this month, indeed! I applaud all your dapper designs and chic creations. And I hope that everyone enjoyed the Poppies as much as I did!

August: 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 August’s theme? August’s theme is…

Flight!

With the arrival of the Baron’s airship on Home Island, the idea of flying (or piloting a huge airship) has been on my mind. The classic yellow blimp has been a trusted mode of transportation for all Poptropicans since the birth of Poptropica itself, so I’m sure you’re all familiar with it. But it isn’t the only mode of flight in-game, as we’ve seen!

Whether it be our blimp, or the Baron’s airship, or the hot air balloons, kites, planes, wings, and other devices that have been featured on different islands, or even… well, Balloon Boy himself! Flying is no strange feat in the world of Poptropica. So this month, I challenge you to use the power of flight in your creations. Perhaps design your own blimp or airship? Or write a story about the Baron piloting through the clouds? The sky is your limit! Literally!

  • Submit: Comment below with a link to whatever you’ve created, email it to the PHB team on our Contact page, OR share it with me (SydVC aka Spotted Dragon) on DeviantArt, Twitter, or Discord.
  • Results: Next month, I will feature 5 submissions that stood out to me the most as well as some honorable mentions.
  • Limitations: Just make sure you relate to both the theme and Poptropica (and nothing NSFW or otherwise inappropriate).
  • 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

Merchandise, Reviews

Pop Merch Review: Funny Bunny Hat 🐰🧢

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.

  • Zazzle hat model
  • Funny Bunny Carrot Farm on 24 Carrot

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.

  • top of hat
  • bottom of hat

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

Community Creations

Community Creations: June 2021

Spotted Dragon
community-creations-logo

Hello once again everyone! Spotted Dragon here bringing you the June recap for Community Creations! June’s theme was LGBTQ+ (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

Ace by Midnightoilstudios

Kicking things off with a theatrical Ringmaster Raven is perfect for pride month! The asexual community is largely underrepresented, so I love seeing it in the spotlight here. The gradient on the cape is beautiful and provides lots of movement in the scene. That dynamic pose paired with the bright background shapes makes for a really fun design! Find her DeviantArt here.

Beach Date by GEAR

So cute and wholesome! What more could you ask for? Dr. Hare and Dr. Beev are fan favorites, and it’s always fun to see them in more casual outfits. That beach setting is absolutely stunning and I love the positive energy of the scene! Lovely design that features the less dramatic side of pride. Find their Instagram here.

Rumpelstiltskin by pinklightningmc

Recognize this piece from our LGBT info post? It’s a fantastic addition to pride month. The bisexual flag gradients in the background, hair, eyelids, and earring are stunning. And the colors pair so well with the genderfluid flag in the shirt, tail, and ring! Not only is this a colorful masterpiece, but it also shows great personality. Fans have really embraced Rumpelstiltskin as a new Pop villain, and I love the punk aesthetic he brings to the table. And it just makes sense that a shapeshifter would be genderfluid, right? Find their Instagram here.

Gonna be Ace at Being an AroAce by Cool Star

Okay, you guys know by now that I am a sucker for puns. And that title? They aced it. I love the colors in this drawing and the use of painterly brushstrokes. Those rainbow kicks are so cool! I definitely picked them up in-game too. The inclusion of the “ace” playing card symbol is also a great addition, both in the flag and the flag post. And the stars really allow the Poptropican’s personality to shine through! Cool Star is pretty cool, huh? Chat with them on the PHC.

Pride Month by BrittScarlet

Another wonderfully colorful submission! Did you really think we could get through pride month without a ton of color? I love the bold gradient of the hair and eyelid. The colors’ soft transition contrasts the sharp rainbow of the background quite nicely. And the white dress makes the colors pop that much more! Who doesn’t love a drag queen, anyway? The design just screams pride. Find her Instagram here.

Honorable Mentions

  • E.Vile & Dr. Cumulonimbus by BrittScarlet
  • Flying Together in the Sky by PegaKidTheArtist2012
  • Pride Month by Purple Paw
  • Non-Bi-nary Bard by Purple Paw
  • Ace Copy Cat by Purple Paw
  • Lesbian Moreau by Purple Paw
  • Pride Month 2021 by AdventurersNHunters

I’m so proud of all your submissions this month! Even though Pride Month has come to an end, I hope that you will all continue to spread positivity and kindness. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and to love themselves for who they are. ❤️💛💚💙💜

July: 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 July’s theme? July’s theme is…

FANCY!

As we enter the month of July, many of you may know that the Poppies will soon be upon us. The annual PHB event is a favorite within the Poptropica community. And you know what comes along with that event? Fancy outfits of course! I’m talking award-winning tuxes and gowns.

So, extending the celebration of the Poppies into Community Creations, let’s get even more fancy! Perhaps make a drawing of your favorite Poptropica royalty? Or give your favorite villains a fancy makeover via your painting skills? A scene of Black Widow amidst her fancy stolen paintings, or Captain Crawfish amidst lots of a fancy stolen treasure could do the trick too. Maybe write a fan-fiction of the Fairy Tale Island characters all attending a fancy ball? Or just submit your fanciest in-game outfit!

Whatever you come up with, I’m sure it will be great as long as it glitters, is made of the finest silk, or is in any way expensive looking. Just remember to keep those pinkies up when you’re drawing!

  • Comment below with a link to whatever you’ve created, email it to the PHB team on our Contact page, 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 some honorable mentions.
  • Limitations: Nothing NSFW, and make sure you relate to both the theme and Poptropica.
  • 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

PHB Specials

The ABCs of LGBT with the PHB 🏳️‍🌈

Spotted Dragon

Our header features artwork from Criaha.

Happy Pride Month, Poptropicans! 🏳️‍🌈

June is a month of celebration for the LGBTQ+ community, and the PHB is bringing that celebration to Poptropica. But we recognize that not everyone is familiar with what this is all about, so we wanted to make this post to explain the ABCs of LGBT in a kid-friendly way (with brief mentions of mature forms of attraction).

This post will be using the terms “LGBTQ+,” “LGBT,” and “queer” interchangeably, though it’s worth noting that “queer” has historically been used as an insult and only recently been reclaimed as a positive catch-all term. We’ll be going over some basic concepts and common LGBT identities — and tying them to the world of Poptropica!

Please remember that everyone is different, and identities are complicated, but we are all deserving of acceptance, love, and support. If you feel uneasy about the topic of LGBTQ+ identities, I encourage you to be open-minded and patient. Though you may not currently understand the perspective of a queer individual, they are important people nonetheless. And if you are LGBTQ+ and feeling misunderstood by people who don’t quite get it, I encourage you to demonstrate patience even when it is challenging, because the PHB aims to be an accepting place for all viewers. All that being said, let’s unpack this!

Continue reading “The ABCs of LGBT with the PHB 🏳️‍🌈” →
Clubhouse, Pets, Store

Brand new screen with character and a Costumizer controversy

Spotted Dragon

Hey there, Poptropicans! Yesterday, the Creators gave us a sneak peek of a new “Character Screen” coming to Poptropica, and it is officially here!

With this update, you can mix and match individual costume elements from any costume. Though this may seem similar to how costumes already worked, this new feature allows it all to happen in one place without having to find a new costume each time.

There are three tabs that you can browse: your costumes/items, your closet (members can save up to 30 outfits), and your pets.

Have a lot of items? You can also sort through those items by outfits, powers, pranks, followers, misc, prizes, and gifts if you don’t want to see them all at once. A similar sorting system for your pet includes pet, body, eyes, facial, and hat.

More than that, the Colorizer is now easily accessible on the same page! With it, you can change your hair and skin color without the extra hassle. And it even works on your pet!

The character screen can be found in your drop down in the top right, just above your map. And, as you can see, the items option has been removed.

Messing around with the new features so far, I will say it is nice to have everything in one location. People generally seem to view this update in a positive light, particularly regarding the return of the Colorizer, but it is not without flaws.

First off, the character screen has already been very glitchy for me. For example, most of my closet items beyond the first page are inaccessible, despite them showing up as available when first loading. The screen has also frozen for me numerous times already, and some of my items are totally blank. Was this update rushed like other projects have been in the past? Has anyone had similar issues?

It is also frustrating that some of my most recently purchased items appear at the very bottom/last screen of my inventory, making them difficult to find.

Another grievance I have is the lack of a “cancel” button when choosing accessories. Often times, I will accidentally click on an outfit part or dislike how it looks, but when I take it off I am also missing the accessory I was previously wearing. This wasn’t a big problem for me in the past.

That brings me to another big concern for fans: What about the Costumizer? Will we ever get it back? Unfortunately, chances are looking slim. In their announcement post, the Creators explain that they “were receiving many complaints about the feature,” so it will not be returning. Here’s why:

Older players had to spend the credits to purchase a costume or they may have had a discontinued outfit from the early days that is unavailable in the store. Meanwhile, a new player would be able to instantly copy and wear the same items from any older profile, sidestepping the other player’s efforts.

Alas, some fans are not content with this explanation…

It is true that this reasoning doesn’t feel fully justified. Even when the Costumizer was available in the past, some items were still not fully customizable (such as store costumes that cost other players credits). Was this failsafe not enough? Similarly, what if they just made NPCs customizable and not other players?

Either way, the Costumizer has always been a fan favorite despite whatever drawbacks the Creators may see regarding fairness, so I am sad to see it left behind.

Pop HQ also claims to have “a few special projects in the works,” so maybe we can look forward to other updates in the near future.

In other news, the Creators also announced two new costumes available in store. They include Loose Twirl (250 credits) and Soccer Champ (200 credits with membership, in yellow, green, and blue).

Oddly enough though, these aren’t the only two new outfits I see in the store. On my end, there’s also an Acidic Dinosaur, Volleyball Allstar (in teal, grey, and red), Overall Shorts, Striped Romper, Choose Love Shirt, and Hedgehog Head Rider: all for 0 credits! Is this a mistake on their end?

I also wonder if the “choose love” shirt a subtle nod to Pride Month. Though that’s what comes to mind when I hear that phrase, the shirt is not the colorful spectacle I would expect if that was their intention. Am I reading too much into that?

I also see some returning outfits, and a glitch where the Slice of Pizza Tee and King & Queen Hoodies appear much larger than the rest of the costumes. Moreover, the 5th screen appears completely empty for me aside from a Zomberry character peeking out on the right side.

Such glitches leave me unsatisfied with these rushed updates, but maybe that’s just me.

Lastly, we have a few new clubhouse items to share. For non-members: a hammock chair, instant camera, LED bonsai tree, and LED photo clip. Looks like the Overall Shorts outfit is in this picture too? For members: a Popcorn Maker, Indoor Tent, Egg Chair, Punching Bag, Figure Display, and Salt Lamp.

Not gonna lie, these items do look super cute. I’m totally jealous of the members-only figure display! Who wouldn’t want a little Rumpelstiltskin in their home?

And with that long post, our updates come to an end. How do you feel about this new feature? Do you miss the Costumizer as much as I do? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

~SD