Tag: villain

Web Development

An Alternative, Chinese Poptropica: BoKe Travelogใ€Šๅœๅ…‹็Žฏๆธธ่ฎฐใ€‹ ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ๐Ÿ๏ธ

Slanted Fish

Hold onto your blimps, Poptropicansโ€”we’re about to take a deep dive into an alternative universe. You’re looking at a Chinese Poptropica!

Shout-out to Pink (popping-tropics on Tumblr) for the discovery.

ใ€Šๅœๅ…‹็Žฏๆธธ่ฎฐใ€‹โ€” which translates to BoKe Travelog โ€” was a PC browser game made by TaoMee Inc, a Chinese company creating children’s entertainment. The game ran from 2011โ€“2013, though it was only recently discovered by Poptropica fans now, over a decade later!

Though this Poptropica-inspired game is no longer playable, it was once hosted online at boke.61.com. We used the Internet Archive to explore what the site used to look like and grabbed some screenshots:

Prizes for joining game beta
Islands
Login
Homepage with news and forum links

Unlike Poptropica, BoKe Travelog came with a background story, as found in this Chinese wiki. The lore goes that due to climate change, human life gradually moved from land to sea. As water levels rose, cities were submerged, and mountains turned into islands.

People known as BoKe lived happily on the islands, each with their own unique styles. One day, a mysterious black fog appeared on the southeast side of the ocean. As it continued to thicken, the islands faced various troubles, with people disappearing and economies collapsing.

The attacks came from the evil and highly intelligent Dr. Hedra, whose face no one had ever seen, and who wanted to rule over the world. But the brave BoKe people chose to unite to solve the crises of each island.

Welcome screen
Balloon travel, like Poptropica’s blimp

Inside BoKe Travelog are many visual similarities to Poptropica, as documented by Simon Cai ่”กๆ€ๆ•, who played both games in 2011. While BoKe Travelog puts its own spin on designs, many of the mechanisms such as the map layout and island adventures are clearly inspired.

Island map on Chinese Poptropica
Island map on OG Poptropica
Cave on Octopus Island
Cave on Shark Tooth Island

BoKe Travelog had eight islands that closely followed many of Poptropica’s classic adventures, as outlined and documented in videos which you can watch by clicking on the BoKe island names below.

Confronting the villain on Potato Island, who resembles Dr. Eggman Robotnik from Sonic, as noted by Pop fan Sleepy Biker
Confronting Dr. Hare on 24 Carrot Island
Ned Noodlehead (left) in BoKe Travelog
Ned Noodlehead (right) in Poptropica
Party room at the end of BoKe Travelog’s Haunted House (peep the Chinese fai chun)
Party room in Poptropica’s Haunted House

Also like Poptropica, BoKe Travelog released a book series with more stories unrelated to the in-game islands. They were called Mystery Island Adventures (่ฐœๅฒ›ๅคงๅ†’้™ฉ) and some details are on Amazon.

What an interesting glimpse into an alternative version of the game we know! Though this green Chinese Poptropica is now lost media, its existence is a testament to the inspiring power of Poptropica. ๐ŸŒด

Did you know that there’s another alternative Poptropica? Check out our exploration of Our Discovery Island (Orange Poptropica)! ๐Ÿฅ•

What do you think of BoKe Travelog ใ€Šๅœๅ…‹็Žฏๆธธ่ฎฐใ€‹? Would you play it if you could? Share with us in the comments! ๐Ÿ‘€

~๐Ÿ 

Guest Posts, Popspiracy Theories

Popspiracy: Amelia is a Villain โ˜•๏ธ

Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, this is aย guest postย by Dizzy Feather.ย Enjoy!

Dizzy Feather again, continuing with my theory about the Red Baron and Amelia. (Read part oneย on why the Baron is not the Queen of Fairytale here!) Anyway, in this post I will be discussing how I believe Amelia is a villain. I know it sounds ridiculous, right? But trust me, it’ll make sense.

Let’s start in Amelia’s clubhouse. Right at the doorway lies my first piece of evidence: the deed to Home Island. Although she says she got it to set up her shop, let’s think about it: who else owns a whole island? I can’t think of one in all of Poptropica, and if you ask me, owning an island sounds like something a villain would love.

On the shelf, we see a tea box with a silhouette of E. Vile, the villain fromย Legendary Swords. It’s probably nothing, but could it also be a hint of its return? Anyway, let’s get back on track…

In her home, we also see a picture of Amelia holding a trophy, with an angry Baron waving a wrench behind her. Another photo shows Xavier and Amelia flying in the plane we rode on in Monkey Wrench Island.

But look the way Amelia’s looking at Xavier and smiling… is it just me, or does she look nervous, like she just did something she doesn’t want him to know about? I think these two pictures are telling a story: Before we came along, Amelia’s co-pilot was Xavier, and one year during the great race, Amelia threw a wrench in the Baron’s plane, which is why the Baron threw one in Amelia’s later on.ย If I’m right, could that have been what started their rivalry in the first place?

Now over at the Baron’s cabin, there is a picture of the Baron throwing money from a bank down to a group of Poptropicans. If the Baron was a full-on villain, then why wouldn’t she keep the money for herself? Perhaps the bank was stealing money from the people and the Baron was returning it?

My final piece of evidence is in the Baron’s dialogue. After you completeย the Baron’s Crusade, you can ask her three questions. When you ask if it’s just her and Ack, the Baron responds, “Mate, when you’ve been in the game as long as I have, you find trust is hard to come by.” I believe she is referring to Amelia breaking her trust at some point.

The Baron has been labeled the villain in the rivalry, but I believe that is wrong. As it once was said inย Mocktropica:ย “There should be an enemy who’s been hiding in plain sight, but who could it be?”ย 

Hope you enjoyed thisย guest postย by Dizzy Feather. If you did, you might also enjoyย part one of her theory about how the Red Baron is Not the Queen of Fairytale Island.

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. Interested in writing for the PHB? Weโ€™d love to hear from you!

Arabian Nights Island, Guest Posts

Different POV: The Sultan is exposed ๐Ÿ‘ณ๐Ÿฝโ€โ™‚๏ธ

Slanted Fish

Hey Poptropicans, this is a guest post by Emu, who will be offering a different point of view on a Poptropica story: who is the real villain in Arabian Nights Island? ‘Cause that Sultan is looking real suspicious. Enjoy!

Welcome to my first DPOV (or “deepawv” in my Southern accent)! This series takes a look at Poptropica plots and characters from a less heard of, non-traditional, different point of view.

Today we’ll be looking at Arabian Nights, a Poptropica tale where (spoilers) Samhal the genie and Scheherazade the princess-turned-thief are often thought of as the villains. But now, let’s turn the tables!

He’s just a poor mixed up sฬถoฬถuฬถlฬถ er, genie.

We’re going to look more closely at the Sultan. Now, I know many Pop fans have confirmed that the Sultan is a bad man, but oh, he’s a BAD bad man. Let’s get started. ๐Ÿง Remember this diary entry from Scheherazade before she ran away from home?

I would read this book, would you?

So, after reading that, you can obviously tell that the Sultan has a HUGE greed problem. ๐Ÿ˜‚ He has quite the obsession problem also. Plus I gotta say, it’s pretty shady of him to let his daughter get almost kidnapped while he was caught up with finding out the name of a little green man.

Why’d he even hang these?

Plus… HIS. POOR. WIFE. She must’ve gone through so much! She looks sooooo done with this in the family portraits! We never find out what happened to her, but I mean it’s reasonable to assume she just left! Sad.

Donโ€™t hate me for what Iโ€™m about to say.

Here’s my takeโ€”get ready for itโ€”I don’t think Samhal is bad. Are you glaring at that sentence? I get it, but here’s why I think the opposite.

The Sultan was an insanely greedy, self-centered, inconsiderate man, and I do believe that he bribed Samhal into dealing with him. Of course, by nature of his being, the genie did have no choice. We will never know what Samhal was like before the Sultan obsessed over tracking down this genie, and put his family on the line just to grow wealthy with his help. Besides, I think it’s pretty sad that even after the Sultan’s wife probably left, he still wasn’t scared of losing his daughter.

Had to include this!

Thanks for reading my first DPOV! What are your thoughts on this post? Drop your suggestions for another DPOV in the comments.

Keep at it, Poptropicans!

โ€”Emu ๐Ÿค™

Hope you enjoyed this guest post by Emu. If you did, you might also enjoy her other guest post โ€œAll aboard for alternate endings to Poptropica islands.โ€

The Poptropica Help Blog welcomes interesting Poptropica insights from anyone in the Poptropica community with thoughts to share. Interested in writing for the PHB? Weโ€™d love to hear from you! ๐Ÿ“ฐโœจ

Fanfiction, The Villain Saga

Announcing “The Villain Saga,” a Poptropica fan series (with prologue)

Smart Bubbles

Long, long ago, there were rumors of a Poptropica movie or TV series. Fans speculated on what it could be about, from a whole new story to a Mystery of the Map spinoff. Flash forward to today, and that dream never became a reality.

So in my traditional fashion, I decided to do it myself!

As much as I would like to see an epic, shiny, animated finished product, there’s no way I (and my carpal tunnel) could do all that, so I’ve decided to just release the script in episodic form! Stay tuned for a sneak peek of the first episode!

I’m going to try to update this fairly frequently (perhaps every week), but I won’t make any promises currently. I do have the plot all figured out from beginning to end, and plenty more script to release!

But enough with my rambling! Let’s get to the story!

FADE IN:

EXT. EREWHON PRISON — EVENING

We see the tall prison from a worms-eye view, near the ocean. Even though it is still evening, dark storm clouds surround the sky, shrouding the prison in night. A few windows glow as lights from inside the building are turned on.

A HELICOPTER lands, hovering a bit and billowing clouds of dust on the small landing pad next to the prison. It finally finishes its descent as we get a closer look at the area. Several prison guards are standing nearby, and a bearded man, DR. JUPITER, is waiting to greet whoever is inside the HELICOPTER.

A MAN jumps out from the side door. The darkness hides most of his face from view, along with a WOMAN who jumps out behind him.

MAN

Well, this isnโ€™t quite what I expected!

DR. JUPITER

(chuckles)

Did you expect a luxury hotel?

MAN

No, I just didnโ€™t think the weather would be soโ€ฆ

He looks down at the stormy waves, crashing against jagged rocks.

MAN (CONTโ€™D)

…clichรฉ.

DR. JUPITER

It helps protect us from onlookers, at least!

(He looks at the WOMAN)

And hello, Missโ€ฆ

The WOMAN extends her gloved hand. DR. JUPITER takes the cue and kisses it.

WOMAN

Lesser. Camille Lesser. Iโ€™m his assistant.

DR. JUPITER

You seem awfully dainty for this line of work.

WOMAN

Trust me.

(She grins. Thereโ€™s something a little suspicious about it.)

I have experience with these sort of people.

DR. JUPITER steps back. His friendly smile leaves his face.

DR. JUPITER

I should hope so. Weโ€™ve had many psychologists analyze our prisoners…few were able to help much.

MAN

They should be willing to work with me, if we give them time.

The smile returns to DR. JUPITERโ€™S face. He steps aside, motioning for the newcomers to enter the building.

DR. JUPITER

Well then, letโ€™s get started.

The two enter as the HELICOPTER ascends. DR. JUPITER remains behind with the GUARDS, discussing something with them.

As they cross through the doorway, framed with lightning-bolt decorated pillars, the WOMAN turns to the psychologist.

WOMAN

Well, that was certainly easier than I expected, Mr. D.

They enter a lit area, revealing the faces of notorious criminals DIRECTOR D. and MADEMOISELLE MOREAU. DIRECTOR D. smiles.

DIRECTOR D.

Trust me, miss Moreau, my plans are all very simple.

We look from the outside, as they head deeper into the prison.

FADE OUT.

“Erewhon contains some of the most notorious criminals in all of the world of Poptropicaโ€ฆbut could their abilities be used for someone’s advantage?

Director D., a cunning and charismatic spy, and Madimoiselle Moreau, a sweet yet spiteful Frenchwoman, are both villains who have managed to avoid the long arm of the law. They have teamed up to start their grandest plan yet, but they will need a little help.

Will justice and peace prevail above these many conflicting schemes, or will these villains be consumed by their own ambition and follow a murky path as the world collapses due to a plan they may not even be aware of?”

Castori honorem ~ Maryann/Smart Bubbles