`  == poptropica ==     Poptropica is an online game, targeted at children ages 6 to 15, where players can travel, play games, compete in head-to-head competition, and communicate safely with each other. There is a role-playing component as players are encouraged to finish ``island missions`` and get medallions. Poptropica was developed by the Family Education NetworkPearson Education description, a division of Pearson, which also owns kids’ site FunBrain.com. Poptropica has an Alexa Internet rating of 2,169. Alexa ranking Its official launch date was in September 2007.  It now has over 75 million registered users, 35 million of whom are in the 15-25 age group.  ==Gameplay elements== ===Characters=== When players first arrive at Poptropica, they create a character avatar that can be customized immediately, or modified while playing.CNW news report.  Such modifications include changing hair color, clothes, hair style, and skin color. Characters' names are automatically generated from lists of nouns and adjectives, in the interest of user safety (i.e. Fierce Paw, Magic Hippo, etc.)   Players can interact with other players through scripted chat in special ``multiplayer`` rooms. Players can also interact with NPCs as part of their current island quest.  ===Clothes=== Most of the clothes found in Poptropican characters (both players and NPCs) are obtainable by players with a tool called the Costumizer. Such clothes include hats, hair, mouths (i.e. if and how the character smiles), neck items (jewelry, scarves, ties), shirts, belts and pants/skirts. The Costumizer is represented by a green T-shirt icon.  Additional clothes may be obtained from the Poptropica Store. Some costumes from the Poptropica store allow special actions (i.e. the Pop Star costume makes a character sing when the space bar is pressed).  Handheld items are usually not Costumizable. However, they can be purchased from the Poptropica Store, as part of costumes. An exception to this is in the Haunted House, where most of the Halloween costume items can be copied.  ===Items=== In Poptropica, a backpack icon is used to represent the inventory of a player. By clicking on it the player can view the items they have acquired. Items are obtained from quests on different islands, many of which allow special actions on the associated island. Players are awarded a special medal each time they solve a quest. Some items picked up on one island cannot be used on other islands.  Players can also ``buy`` items from the Poptropica Store such as special costumes and gold cards that allow various actions like turning smaller (Minimizer) and chewing bubble gum (Bubble Gum).  ===Islands=== Poptropica has various ``islands``, each with its own ``quest`` for the player to complete. An island is a collection of different rooms where the player can interact with NPCs, engage in mini-games, obtain items, costumize clothes, etc.. Each island also has a multiplayer room where players can chat and play games with each other.  Players travel to different islands using a blimp. After climbing aboard the blimp, the player selects one of the mapped islands.  ===Store=== On May 30, 2009, the Poptropica Store opened. name=Poptropica StoreAnnouncement on Poptropica Creators' Blog In the Poptropica Store, special items can be bought with ``credits``, including costumes(non-costumizable)and special gold item cards with certain abilities, such as the ability to change the player's character's hair or skin color quickly. Credits are earned through completing island quests or through purchases.  ===Daily Pop=== On Monday, November 22, 2010, Daily Pop was released.  With Daily Pop, there's something new to enjoy on Poptropica every day. Read comics, play games, and see sneak peeks of upcoming Islands that you can only find in the Daily Pop. Plus, there are a few added improvements that we (creators of Poptropica)  think will make your Poptropica adventures even better. .  1st Daily Pop Announcement  2nd Daily Pop Announcement  ==User safety== Poptropica uses pre-scripted chat which allows players to communicate without sharing personal information.Review at Parenting iVillage.  This also keeps the communication profanity free.  Character names (such as ``Fierce Hippo`` or ``Magic Feather``) are also pre-constructed Hub Canada review and news article to prevent any profanity or personal information from entering the virtual world. Players can only interact with each other in special multi-player rooms.  ==Synopsis== Once a player enters Poptropica, he chooses an island to explore; as noted before, each island has a central mission. To travel between islands, the user boards a blimp with the Poptropica logo, which shuttles between the Main Streets of the various islands.  ===Early Poptropica=== Early Poptropica was the first island created. Players encounter the original settlers of Early Poptropica who are in distress. They are 8 bit arcade characters much like pilgrimsand Review on Parenting iVillage.  who are missing items from their village. While finding the various objects, the player encounters a large spider and a purple giant. On Main Street, there is an art museum with works by artists such as  Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and Georges-Pierre Seurat. Before Shark Tooth Island came out it was possible to enter the side where there were two buttons: Start Over or Play.  ===Shark Tooth Island=== Shark Tooth Island was the second island released in Poptropica. The scenario revolves around the inhabitants of the island who are being troubled by a fierce shark. The player must help the citizens by exploring the island's ancient temple ruins and subduing the giant shark, named Booga, with a special concoction. The player then must rescue a boy and a professor from an island where they were marooned by Booga.  ===Time Tangled Island=== Time Tangled Island is the third island released for Poptropica. The scenario revolves around a malfunctioning time machine made by Professor Peter P. Pendulum 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, and Leonardo Da Vinci. Once the player has restored the future, they can go forward in time to see what the future holds, and visit themselves 50 years older. This island was created in conjunction with the editors of Fact Monster to maintain historical accuracy.Review and article on Gainesville Sun.  Professor Pendulum can also be found on Shark Tooth Island in the Tourist Center. The island was initially called Time Twisted Island.  ===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, which appears to be based on carrots, is in ruins. The player has to face an antagonist named Dr. Hare, who built a giant robot bunny inside what was formerly a carrot cake factory. Dr. Hare is apparently using the carrots to make fuel for a rocket that will send his giant robot into space, from where he can control everyone's mind. The char