Poptropica Creators' Blog

Four-wheel drive

2010-09-01T18:00:00.001-06:00

Yesterday you saw an overhead shot of a vehicle from a new Poptropica Island. We've managed to get in a little closer to show you a more detailed picture.

Looks like fans of Poptropica have some off-roading in their future! But... what will you find off the beaten path?

HADES

Top down, in more ways than one

2010-08-31T18:00:00.003-06:00

We've got a sneak peek at some more development work being done on the newest Poptropica Island.

It's a top down view, and it looks like that SUV has its top down, too! What do you suppose is happening here?

HADES

Spare parts

2010-08-30T18:00:00.004-06:00

Master Mime has told you about the Steam Robot on the loose in Poptropica. Don't forget about the other robot Costumes you can get in the Poptropica store.

The Retro Robot sports sleek wings and big yellow eyes.

The Renegade Robot makes his own rules.

Don't forget, with the power of the Costumizer, you can mix and match costumes from the Poptropica Store!

I call this the "Retrograde Robot."

"Steamgrade Robot."

You don't even have to combine similar costume parts for a cool new outfit. Here's a Mech Pilot head on a Renegade Robot body.

This is the, er... "Renemech Pilograde Robot?" We'll work on that one.

You can use multiple powers at once, too!

What crazy costume combinations can you come up with?

VLAD THE VIKING

House party

2010-08-27T18:00:00.003-06:00

This week, we've shown you four different sketches of mansions. But only one will be able to make it into a new Poptropica Island. It's so hard to decide which it should be. Let's take another look:

Mansion 1

Mansion 2

Mansion 3

Mansion 4

Decisions, decisions...

Which one do you like the best? Vote in our poll on the sidebar!

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

Steam Robot on the Loose!

2010-08-27T14:24:00.003-06:00

Several Poptropicans have reported that a Steam Robot has recently escaped from Steamworks Island!

We have this image to show you what it looks like. Take a look in the Poptropican store. It may be hiding there.

MASTER MIME

In the big house

2010-08-26T18:00:00.002-06:00

Before we move onto the next phase of the design, here's one more approach to the big mansion that will serve as an integral part of a new Poptropica Island.

Those columns certainly are regal. You'd have to be a pretty big hotshot to have columns like that around your front door.

But which of these designs will ultimately make it into the new Island?

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

A cozy country estate

2010-08-25T18:00:00.000-06:00

Here's a different approach to the big houses that we've been sketching for an upcoming Island.

This one's a little more modest, wouldn't you say? Not enough skulls and crossbones, if you ask me.

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

Takin' it to the house

2010-08-24T18:00:00.003-06:00

How many different ways can you imagine a big, fancy house in the country? If you were a Poptropica Creator, you'd have to imagine several. Yesterday we showed you one such sketch. Here's another.

This isn't even all of them! We'll show you a couple more of these early designs as the week goes on.

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

No rest for the wicked awesome

2010-08-23T18:00:00.002-06:00

Steamworks Island has been a smashing success! We're all very proud of it. Poptropica Members are already exploring the mysteries of the Island, and the Island will be available to all before you know it.

So, what do the Poptropica Creators do after a new Island launches? Surely we've earned a little R+R, right?

Not on your life. We're already hard at work on the next Poptropica adventures. Here's an early sketch of something we've got cooking.

That's a nice-looking house! What kind of a person do you suppose lives there?

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

Power switch

2010-08-19T18:00:00.002-06:00

Here's a simple tip to help you make your way through Steamworks Island. If you're getting stuck, take a look around for one of the long, blue-handled switches.

They're everywhere, and most of them will help you get to somewhere that looked out of reach.

So if you're stuck, just look for a switch!

SHARK BOY

Leaving my mark...

2010-08-18T18:00:00.002-06:00

As a Poptropica Creator, I try to leave my mark on Poptropica whenever I can. Like on a blackboard on Steamworks Island, say.

Shh! Don't tell anybody, or they'll erase it!

HAZMAT HERMIT

The Future of Poptropica!!!!

2010-08-17T15:18:00.009-06:00

The Fortune Cookie has just arrived in the store. Pearls of wisdom from the minds of the Poptropica Creators have been carefully placed inside each of these cookies.

This fun, new item has two purposes:
1. Crack open the cookie to understand your own future
2. Place the cookie in common rooms to provide the future for unsuspecting Poptropican users.

Follow these simple guidelines to place a fortune cookie among others then wait for them to click.

MASTER MIME

Poptropica Tips and Tricks: Advanced mech piloting

2010-08-17T18:00:00.002-06:00

Piloting the mech around Steamworks Island is tons of fun! It also presents its own challenges, especially because of its size. Did you know that the mech can crouch, just as your Poptropican can?

This can be helpful in many situations, especially against the Bolas plant.

See? Duck, and the seed pods will sail safely over your head!

You can still use your weapon attachments from a crouching position.

Of course, when you're ducking, you can only aim downhill.

What other neat things have you found to do with the mech?

SHARK BOY

Steamworks premiere party!

2010-08-16T18:00:00.004-06:00

Poptropica Members have been having a blast on Steamworks Island. Besides trying to solve the mystery of what happened to the Island's inhabitants, Poptropicans have also been spending a lot of time at the Steamworks Gear Shop -- that's this island's common room.

It's been fun to see Poptropica Members hanging out on a new Island, with all the zany combinations of costumes and items they can imagine. Check out this motley crew!

I dropped by, too, but nobody told me there was a dress code! I felt out of place not wearing a Mech Pilot costume.

Always a wallflower...

Keep an eye out for the Poptropica Creators in the Steamworks Island common room. Maybe we'll see you there!

BLACK WIDOW

Congratulations to the first 10 finishers of Steamworks Island!

2010-08-13T13:12:00.005-06:00

It's no Poptropica secret: Steamworks Island is tough to beat! This is definitely one of the most challenging Poptropica adventures so far. (For my money, the hardest is still Astro-Knights. Why not? It's got the best villain!)

Despite the difficulty, lots of Poptropica Members, with a full head of steam, have already worked their way to the end. See what I did there?

Congratulations to the first 10 Poptropicans to complete Steamworks Island! Your reward: your name in lights!

1. Bronze Monster

2. Hyper Popper

3. Mighty Flame

4. Popular Jumper

5. Shy Fire

6. Cool Owl

7. Friendly Shell

8. Angry Dragon

9. Shiny Crown

10. Short Flame

We'll hope to see many more of you crossing the finish line in the days and weeks to come!

BINARY BARD

Steamworks Island is online NOW!

2010-08-12T09:15:00.000-06:00

Attention, Poptropica Members! You can begin your adventure on Steamworks Island starting RIGHT NOW!

Can you uncover what happened to the inhabitants of this ancient island? There's only one way to find out. Log on to Poptropica and get started!

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

Steamworks Island available for Poptropica Members tomorrow

2010-08-11T18:00:00.005-06:00

We're continuing our countdown to the Early Access launch of Steamworks Island, which will be available for Poptropica Members -- oh gosh, look at that -- tomorrow!

If you're going to solve the mystery of Steamworks Island, you'll need to know where you're going. Just between us, here's your first look at the Steamworks Island map.

My, my. These Islands get bigger and bigger, don't they?

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

T-minus 2 days until Steamworks Island launches

2010-08-10T18:00:00.004-06:00

Like a massive, steam-powered gear, the Early Access launch of Steamworks Island turns ever closer. Poptropica Members have but two days to wait before they can set foot on this vast island of metal and machines. As promised, here's another snapshot of the danger that awaits you.

That looks like a tricky maze! You might need some help finding your way through there.

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

The final countdown to Steamworks Island!

2010-08-09T18:00:00.003-06:00

The wait is almost over. Poptropica Members will have Early Access to Steamworks Island beginning this Thursday, August 12. We think you'll really like this one.

There are plenty of surprises in store for Poptropicans, and lots left to discover about Steamworks Island. So, as we count down to the launch of Steamworks Island, we'll be sharing just a few more snapshots of what you have to look forward to.

This appears to be a shop of some kind. I wonder if there's anything useful in there?

CAPTAIN CRAWFISH

The robot struts its stuff

2010-08-06T18:00:00.001-06:00

I cut a rug. I boogied down. I busted a move. Yet my new robot friend was unimpressed. When I challenged him to show me something better, he paused for a moment. I could hear a whirring sound behind his eyes.

Then, a surprise!

This little fella apparently has a few tricks up its sleeve.

"What else can you do?" I asked, a little bit uncertain of whether I wanted to know the answer. The machine extended another appendage that had previously been hidden. It was beginning to remind me of a Swiss army knife.

I wasn't quite sure what it was doing, but I knew it looked useful. "Say," I said, an idea forming in my mind, "you wouldn't want to come along with me on Steamworks Island, would you?"

He nodded his assent, and we were off on a great adventure!

Poptropica Members will be able to join Sprocket when Early Access to Steamworks Island begins on Thursday, August 12. Steamworks island will be open to all on September 9.

BINARY BARD

Psychedelic Shirt

2010-08-06T13:05:00.002-06:00

Check out this crazy new shirt inside the Poptropica store. It looks like it's moving!

MASTER MIME

Getting to know you

2010-08-05T18:00:00.001-06:00

The robot and I eyed one another warily. It seemed we were each waiting for the other to make the first move. After a few moments of awkward silence, I attempted to break the ice with a joke.

"Why was six afraid of seven?" I asked.

(Dramatic pause.)

"Because seven eight nine!"
Success! The robot grinned. Clearly he was programmed to understand humor. Maybe he was capable of other emotions, as well.

Perhaps this little robot would be impressed, or even moved, by the arts. I don't often admit this, but I've got something of a background in dance (three years of jazz, six years of modern). Hoping to entrance the robot with my charm and grace, I busted out some acrobatic maneuvers, finishing with a flurry of high-leg kicks.
Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for.

Pride got the better of me. "I'd like to see you do better!" I huffed. "Stupid robot."
And then, well -- the robot did something better.

BINARY BARD

Steamworks robot: Friend or foe?

2010-08-04T18:00:00.001-06:00

All right, so the question is: If you come across a strange robot lying dormant in a wasteland, should you poke it? 9 times out of 10, it's probably not a good idea. But I poked this one. It unfurled some crazy robot arms.

Then the visor over its face started to slide upward. I braced myself for its evil mechanical visage.

Well, not bad so far...

Look at that! He's smiling. Maybe we're going to get along.

BINARY BARD

It's the official Steamworks Island trailer!

2010-08-04T08:59:00.001-06:00

Steamworks Island is coming very soon!

SHARK BOY

A Steamworks Island mystery: It moves!

2010-08-03T18:00:00.005-06:00

Imagine my surprise when I came across a strange-looking machine on Steamworks Island. The place is full of old gears and pulleys and things, but most of it is rusted out and hasn't been used for years. This one looked a little different -- different enough to pique my curiosity.
I don't know what you do when you're in an unfamiliar place and you come across some strange being that's curled up in a defensive position, but I know what I do: I poke it. So that's what I did.

Whoa! It moved. And there were a lot more surprises in store.

BINARY BARD