Poptropica
 |
| Poptropica | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Family Education Network |
| Publisher(s) | Family Education Network |
| Platform(s) | PC and Mac |
| Release | It was made available online July 2007, but its official launch date was September 2007. |
| Genre(s) | Massively multiplayer online game, single |
Poptropica is a massively multiplayer online game and virtual world in which children ages 6 to 15 can travel, play games, compete in head-to-head competition, communicate safely with each other, and complete their "island mission" and get rewards.
Poptropica was developed by the Family Education Network[1], a division of Pearson, which also owns kids’ site funbrain.com.
Characters / Citizens / Poptropicans
When players first arrive at Poptropica, they are given a character avatar they can either customize immediately, or modify while playing with the costumizer tool[2]. Once a player enters the Poptropica virtual world, they can choose an island they want to explore. Currently, there are four virtual islands on Poptropica, and each island needs help. Poptropica is a fun, safe, online experience for ages 6-15. On every island players can visit multiplayer buildings to chat or battle with other live players.
Items
In Poptropica you start off with any clothes you choose from the begining menu and can get different items from different island's quests. To view your items, you can click the backpack icon at the top right corner. Every island has it's own pocket so you can keep your items organized. Many items like the viking suit ( Not from the "Costumizer Tool" ) are rare and are fun to use to brag.
User Safety
Poptropica uses safe, kid-friendly, pre-scripted chat[3].
Character names are also pre-constructed[4] to prevent any profanity or personal information from entering the world. You can choose made up names like, "giant spider" or "crazy comet".
Island Synopsis
Early Poptropica Island
Early Poptropica was the first island created for Poptropica. Players encounter the original settlers of Early Poptropica who are in distress. They are 80’s style characters[5] who are missing items from their village. While finding the various objects, the player encounters, among other characters, a Purple Giant and the Sneaky Spider. On Main Street, there is an art museum with works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and Georges-Pierre Seurat.
Shark Tooth Island
Shark Tooth Island was the second island released in Poptropica. The scenario revolves around the inhabitants of the island that are being troubled by a fierce shark. The player must help the citizens by exploring within the island`s ancient temple ruins and subduing the giant shark, called Booga, with a special concoction. The player then has to rescue a boy and a professor from an island formerly seperated from the mainland by Booga.
Time Tangled Island
Time Tangled Island is the third island released for Poptropica. The scenario revolves around a malfunctioning time machine that has distorted history. It is the player’s job to go back in time and set things right. During the quest, users encounter major historical figures such as Thomas Edison, Lewis and Clark, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc. Once the player has restored the future, they can go forward in time to see what the future holds as well as a version of themselves 50 years older. This island was created in conjunction with the editors of Fact Monster to maintain historical accuracy.
24 Carrot Island
24 Carrot Island is the fourth island released on Poptropica. The Poptropicans on 24 Carrot Island are in trouble. Someone has stolen all their carrots, citizens are disappearing, and the economy is in ruins. The user must solve the mystery of the missing carrots and citizens in order to restore the island to its former greatness.
Super Power Island
Super Power Island is the fifth Island in Poptropica. A meteor has crashed into the island's prison and criminals have escaped and received super powers (hence the name). Only a true hero can save the day. Currently there is no specific release date for this island; all that is known is it will probably be released sometime during July 2008.
Multiplayer Buildings
Each island on Poptropica has a Building on its Main Street that offers Multiplayer Chatting and Battles, they are as follows:
- Soda Pop Shop - Early Poptropica
- Coconut Cafe - Shark Tooth
- Party Time Tower - Time Tangled
- 24 Carrot Island Cinema - 24 Carrot
Mini-Games
There are currently 8 mini-games, they are:
- Paint War (Multiplayer)
- Sky Dive (Multiplayer)
- Star Link (Multiplayer)
- Balloons (Multiplayer)
- Sudoku (Multiplayer and Singleplayer)
- Hoops (Multiplayer)
- Switch (Singleplayer)
- Race to the Bowl (advertisement) (Singleplayer)