![]() ![]() I remember feeling like, though it was clearly targeted towards kids, the game developers respected its audience and allowed us to partake in some childish fun while also making some of the challenges actually… difficult! No other children’s online game like this (Webkinz, Club Penguin, etc.) had intricate storylines and puzzles like this, and therefore, in my experience, kids grew out of them pretty quickly. ![]() I really appreciated this blog, because Poptropica was probably my favorite online game growing up. 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. In return, the diversity of interaction between avatars offers a game experience tailored to a variety of different types of 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-game screenshot of Shiny Crush in a local arcade room I think this is especially important for children who need a realm of safety and ability to disconnect from 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. It isn’t until you enter a specific building on the island that you are visible and can interact with 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. Every island can be completed without the need of help from other players. However, the narrative driven side of the game allows for a rich single player gameplay. In-game screenshot of a local farmer explaining the dilemma I am tasked to solve I think this large physical player base created small close-knit communities of kids who played before, after, and even during school. 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). 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. Unlike many adult MMOs, this game was being played by large groups of kids who knew each other before entering the game. I think it has much to do with the intricate narratives and types of community the game presented. In-game screenshot of the mayor of 24 Carrot Island lamenting the disappearance of their carrots ![]()
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