I know I cannot be the only person who regularly thinks back to the time in my childhood when the realm of online games was in its prime. The golden age of the early 2000’s was characterized by internet gems such as Club Penguin, Webkinz, Fantage, ToonTown, Wizard101, and Poptropica, need I say more? If you, like me were just hit by a nostalgic flashback (That’s So Raven style) at the mention of those names, you know what I am talking about. This era of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) geared towards children was a time to be alive and dare I say the kids now are missing out on a ton of fun given most of these online platforms have been shut down or abandoned. However, one that still remains innovative to this day is Poptropica, which is what I want to discuss. Why was Poptropica so popular when it first came out and how does it maintain this legacy today?
When I set out to answer this question, I took the time to do a little digging which had never mattered much to me when I was younger. To my surprise, I found out that Poptropica was made by Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney and was developed by Pearson Education’s Family Education Network. Of course, when finding this out it all made sense—the complex storylines, whacky cartoon characters, silly names, and bright colors that speak to kids in all the right ways. But why were we all hooked and running back to this game?
I think it has much to do with the intricate narratives and types of community the game presented. Unlike many adult MMOs, this game was being played by large groups of kids who knew each other before entering the game. My sister, my neighbor, and I all would all huddle around one computer and set a timer to take turns completing islands and earning medallions. It quickly became a competition to see who could complete an island the fastest by themselves without looking up a walkthrough (I used the walkthroughs the most, I admit it). I think this large physical player base created small close-knit communities of kids who played before, after, and even during school.
However, the narrative driven side of the game allows for a rich single player gameplay. Every island can be completed without the need of help from other players. When first logging on and entering the game space, you can only see your player on the screen as well as the computer-generated characters. It isn’t until you enter a specific building on the island that you are visible and can interact with other players. A distinct separation of individual and community spaces gives players the choice to determine their level of anonymity and engagement with others; this is a luxury not afforded to all players in other online multiplayer games. I think this is especially important for children who need a realm of safety and ability to disconnect from other players.
The creation of these “arcades” and “common rooms” on every island harbors connections between random players through mini games and pre-generated conversation text bubbles. In return, the diversity of interaction between avatars offers a game experience tailored to a variety of different types of players. It suits the social butterfly who is always hanging around the arcade waiting to play mini-games, the sleuth who goes from island to island seeking to solve every mystery alone, and the player just looking for a good time.
Poptropica has stood the test of time and still remains playable unlike many of its online platform friends. The rotation of islands is ever-changing, and the puzzle storylines remain challenging even for adults (I logged on the other day and I had to look up a walkthrough again, old habits never die I guess). If you are looking to revive old memories or are just interested in checking out this rich world full of whimsical storylines and adventures, I urge you to log onto Poptropica and give it a chance, you won’t be disappointed!
New Media: Storytelling in Literature, Films, and Games 
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