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thetarotwitch111 · 4 months ago

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How people are perceiving you right now? - Pick a card purple pokemon

Since i absolutely love pokemon I picked three purple ones, and just like choosing your starter, you’ll pick one to uncover how people are seeing you right now. So grab your Poké Balls, dust off that old Game Boy, and let’s see what your chosen Pokémon reveals about you.

✨I hope this reading brings you some clarity and guidance. If it resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it!

✨ And if you’re looking for something more personal, I also do individual readings—just DM me anytime or check my ko-fi

🌟TIP JAR🌟

Breathe, clean your thoughts and ask your guides and the Universe lead you to the message that’s meant for you.

Let’s get into your reading!

💜 1. Gengar

They’re noticing this big shift in you. You’re really starting to let go of things that used to hold you down, and that’s pretty powerful. It’s almost like you’ve decided, “I don’t need to control everything,” and that’s making you come across as way more open and chill. People can see that you’re getting better at going with the flow, even if it’s a little scary sometimes. But they also see that you’re super careful with your decisions. You’re not the type to just jump into something without thinking it through. You’re weighing all your options, and while that might make you seem a little stuck, it’s really just you being smart about where you’re headed next. And sure, they might pick up on the fact that you’re dealing with some tough stuff (maybe some temptations or situations that feel a bit restrictive). But what they really admire is how you’re not letting that stop you. You’re determined to break free from anything that doesn’t feel right, and that’s pretty inspiring.

The good things they see in you:

First off, they totally admire your resilience. You’ve been through some rough times, but you always manage to come out the other side even stronger. It’s like no matter what life throws at you, you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving. And people really notice that strength in you.

They also love your independence and this amazing ability to make choices that are totally in line with who you are. Even if that means you’re taking a path that others don’t quite get, they respect that you’re doing what feels right for you. You might seem a little cautious in relationships, but that’s just because you’re making sure everything aligns with your true self. People really respect that about you.

Witch’s advice:

You’re in this awesome phase of letting go and embracing change, so let’s boost that energy with some crystals. Grab a smoky quartz, cause it’s perfect for helping you release anything that’s no longer serving you. Think of it as a little nudge from the universe to let go of the old and welcome the new. And then there’s labradorite, which is all about transformation.

For herbs, sage is your best friend right now. It’s amazing for clearing out any negative or stuck energy around you. Pair it with lavender, which is super calming and will help you feel more at peace, especially when things get a little overwhelming.

And because we all need a bit of comfort, let’s talk tea. A blend of peppermint and chamomile is just what you need. The peppermint will help you think clearly and its perfect for those moments when you’re at a crossroads. And the chamomile will calm your nerves and help you relax about the future. If you want an extra boost, add a little lemon balm to the mix. It’s uplifting and will keep your spirits high as you move forward.

💜 2. Koffing

People see you as someone who’s really starting to break free from some heavy stuff. It’s like they’ve noticed you’ve been through a period where you felt really stuck, maybe even a little trapped, but now they can see you stepping out of that and finding your strength. It’s as if you’ve taken off the blindfold and are beginning to see all the possibilities that are out there for you. There’s a sense of admiration for how you’re learning to navigate through challenges, taking control of your life, and not letting fear or doubt hold you back anymore.

However, there’s also an understanding that you’re still working through some deeper, more personal struggles. People can sense that you’re dealing with things that might still have a hold on you, like old habits or negative thoughts that are tough to shake. But they don’t see this as a weakness; instead, they recognize the strength it takes to confront these inner battles. They know you’re doing your best to overcome them, and they respect the fight you’re putting up to not let those things control you.

At the same time, others notice that you’re someone who avoids unnecessary drama. You’re not one to dive into conflicts or get caught up in petty disputes. Instead, you’re focused on keeping the peace and finding solutions that work for everyone involved. People see you as someone who values harmony and is willing to go the extra mile to make sure things stay calm and balanced, even when it’s not easy. This makes you someone they can rely on to bring a sense of calm and reason into tense situations.

The good things they see in you:

One of the biggest things is your ability to move on from tough situations. They see you as someone who doesn’t let past disappointments or mistakes define you. Instead, you focus on what’s still possible and what you can still achieve. You don’t get down for the negative, but instead, you find a way to keep moving forward, and that’s something people really appreciate.

People also admire how you’re starting to open up more. Maybe you’ve spent some time reflecting and keeping to yourself, but now they see you sharing more of what you’ve learned. You’re willing to let others in, to show your vulnerabilities, and to offer the wisdom you’ve gained from your experiences. This makes you relatable and wise in their eyes, someone who’s been through a lot but is now ready to connect and share with others.

There’s also something about your creativity. Even if you don’t always show it right away, people sense that you have a rich inner world. When you do express your feelings or ideas, it’s something really special that others value. They see you as someone who brings a unique perspective to the table, and they love how you bring your imagination and emotions into everything you do.

Lastly, people respect your thoughtful approach to life. You’re not someone who rushes into things and take your time to consider your options and make sure everything is just right before you move forward. This makes you seem deliberate and careful, which others really appreciate. They know that when you do make a decision, it’s something you’ve really thought through, and that brings a sense of confidence and trust in your choices.

Witch’s advice:

First, consider working with amethyst. This crystal is great for helping you stay clear-headed and keeping any negative energy at bay. It’s also wonderful for breaking free from old patterns and embracing the new opportunities you’re creating for yourself.

For herbs, basil and rosemary would be particularly helpful right now. Basil can bring protection and peace, helping you maintain the calm and balanced environment you’re striving for. Rosemary, on the other hand, is excellent for clarity and focus, giving you the mental boost you need to keep moving forward with confidence.

When it comes to teas, a soothing blend of lemon balm and chamomile would be perfect. Lemon balm is uplifting and can ease any lingering anxiety, while chamomile helps you relax and unwind. Together, they create a comforting, calming vibe that supports your journey toward balance and peace.

💜 3. Nidoking

People see you as someone who’s in the middle of a pretty intense moment. It’s like they can tell you’ve been thinking a lot about whether to stay in certain situations or move on, but there’s a part of you that’s still holding back. Maybe it’s because you’re not quite ready to let go of something that has been important to you, or perhaps you’re trying to find closure before taking the next big step. Either way, others sense that you’re in a bit of a back-and-forth, trying to figure out where you truly want to be.

They also see that you’re someone who might be feeling a bit stuck right now, like there’s something unfinished in your life. It’s as if you’re so close to reaching a major goal or completing a big chapter, but there’s still a loose end or two that’s keeping you from feeling like you can fully move forward. And you have this drive to wrap things up and reach that sense of completion, but they also understand that it’s not easy when you’re dealing with things that are beyond your control.

At the same time, you’ve got this energy that’s just contagious. You’re curious, excited about new ideas, and you bring that spark wherever you go. Even when life gets tough, they see that you’re still standing strong, ready to take on whatever comes your way. You’re like a warrior who’s been through a lot, but you’ve still got that fire inside you.

The good things they see in you:

One of the first things that stands out is your sense of independence and self-sufficiency. People see you as someone who’s really got it together, someone who’s worked hard to build a life that’s stable and fulfilling. You have this air of confidence and self-reliance that others find incredibly inspiring. They admire how you don’t just sit around waiting for things to happen. You go out and make things happen, and know your worth and you’re not afraid to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Another thing is that you have a way of bringing your dreams to life that really impresses people. And they also think that you’ve got this deep well of emotion and love, even if you don’t always show it right away. They admire how you’re able to care so deeply and how you’re not afraid to be vulnerable when it really matters. You have this gift for making others feel valued and appreciated, and that’s something they truly treasure in you.

You also lift others up, to bring joy and happiness wherever you go and they see you as someone who can find the good in almost any situation and help others see it too.

Witch’s Advice:

Grab some citrine. It’s the perfect crystal for you. Citrine is all about boosting your confidence and bringing in that joyful, abundant energy that you naturally have. It’s like a little battery for your positivity. And clear quartz is another good one for you; it helps you stay focused and amps up your intentions, making it even easier to manifest all the amazing things you’re working on.

For herbs, rosemary and bay leaves are your go-tos. Rosemary is great for keeping your mind clear and your energy protected, especially when you’re dealing with those frustrating, unfinished things. Bay leaves are awesome for setting intentions and making your wishes come true—write down what you want on a bay leaf, burn it, and let the magic happen.

And let’s not forget about tea! A blend of jasmine and green tea is perfect for you. Jasmine brings in that sweet, loving energy, helping you stay connected to your heart. Green tea keeps you motivated and focused, which is just what you need to keep moving forward. Together, these teas will help you stay balanced and energized, ready to take on anything.

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alexanderkrizak · 10 months ago

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Pokémon Legends Z-A Starter Speculation

I got this into my head, so fine, let's cook. And we can repurpose this image that was used for a starter ranking meme recently.

Okay, so first of all, while you technically need two points of data to establish a trend, we can still try to extrapolate from the original Pokémon Legends Arceus.

PLA excluded the starters of the region it was set in, giving the player an opportunity to catch those starters in the wilds. PLA also excluded the starters of the current generation, probably to avoid overexposing them.

Speaking of Pokémon Legends Arceus, we're also quite obviously not going to have the same starter Pokémon as it had, so we'll have to say goodbye to two of the best starters ever created... and Oshawott.

Alright, now for something actually speculative... I believe that Game Freak will exclude Gen 1 and Gen 3 starters. Why? Mega Evolution. All six of them have Mega Evolutions, and I feel that Game Freak will want to give the Z-A starters all new Mega Evolutions. (Will said Mega Evolutions replace Kalosian forms for the starters? I'm gonna say yes, though that doesn't mean other Pokémon won't have Kalosian forms.)

And now we're at a point where we are operating on 100% Pure Bullshit™. I think this'll be another set of incredibly popular starters, drawn once again from three different generations, and that they'll try to get a representative from every generation that wasn't represented in PLA but wasn't also disqualified for other reasons. Which does still mean one generation will get represented again.

So why do I think Game Freak will choose?

But what does everyone think? Have I made assumptions you find to be wildly off? Let me know how silly my speculation is, and we'll find out how wrong I am in 2025! (Or much sooner, actually, they'll reveal the actual starters sometime this year.)

#pokemon #pokemon day #pokemon legends z-a #starter pokemon #snivy #scorbunny #piplup #I do have other thoughts #if the starters do have Kalosian forms for their final evolutions #then having a Mega Evolution of that Kalosian form is sufficiently exciting #even if the original form already has a Mega Evolution #still don't think any Gen 1 starters would be in though #their popularity is just too great

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vincentcipherstrange · 10 months ago

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As an XY enjoyer, I was holding out hope for new Kalos games rather than Unova remakes. And Apparently I was right to do so! Now with the new game announcement, it means some things to me and I have predictions/thoughts.

(more under the cut in case.... future spoilers)

1. It seems like it's set in the modern day, potentially not long before or after the originals. So We probably get to see more Sycamore. Which. Yes please. Gimme. I would like to see my boy.

2. If it's set not long after the originals, Potentially a Lysandre return. Or mention. There's no way he's DEAD dead. So they better do him justice. He got flubbed in the original games.

3. MORE KALOS LORE! FINALLY! 11/12 YEARS (when Legends ZA releases) AFTER XY PROPER!

4. The cancelled event Pokémon, AZ's Floette, might ACTUALLY be obtainable this time around! (Which also means the return of event mythicals like Volcanion, Hoopa, and Diancie)

4.5 which also means if you have Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde from either the original games or the shinies from Go, USUM Ultra Wormholes, or SWSH Dynamax Adventures, they can probably be brought over!

5. Zygarde might be the big bad you have to defeat this time around, using Xerneas and Yveltal to stop them. Probably controlled by someone like Xerosic. (think like Ultra Necrozma in USUM, or Eternatus in SW/SH)

5.5 that being said, Xerneas and Yveltal may get new powered up forms (potentially Megas) as a boost to calm the rampaging Zygarde

6. Sycamore actually participates in Story Events with the player. Because he might feel bad for asking so much of them the first time. (It's a stretch but a Sycamore lover can dream. I want to see him be a badass like in the anime. Give him his Garchomp)

7. Team Flare might still be kicking around, though subdued a bit depending on how long after the originals it's been. Maybe some new faces in there. Malva is probably the one running things with Lysandre being MIA.

8. It might be revealed that Kalos and Paldea did have beef in the past, which is where Paldea's crater came from. Bringing Paldean pokemon into Kalos may strike up new dialogue. (If paldean 'mons can be transferred over, that is. If that's the case though Terapagos, Ogerpon, and the Sandwich Dragons are going to be nerfed. HARD. Especially the small Terastal Turtle.) (i wanna see Sycamore's reaction to a Clodsire or Terapagos. He'd love the little guys.)

9. New megas, but that's kinda obvious. I'm thinking some i want to see are going to be Rapidash, Talonflame, and the original Box Art Legends.

10. It may be revealed that Sycamore and Lysandre did have a little fling, if not a full on relationship before the weapon incident. They gave us Brassius and Hassel in SV. And implied one with ORAS Maxie and Archie. You know what we want, Gamefreak.

(bonus) 11. A Paldean character might appear for a side quest.

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I'm holding out hope. But just the fact we're getting more Kalos stuff at all is enough to make me happy. It gets glossed over far too much.

#pokemon #pokemon presents #pokemon legends za #professor sycamore #augustine sycamore #lysandre #team flare #kalos #kalos region #pokemon xy #xerneas #yveltal #mega evolution #lumiose city

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cookieblobber · 10 months ago

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what the fuck | Y Pokémon Legends Z-A is an Xtremely Important Game

how

HOWWWWWW

EVERYONE THOUGHT THIS WASN'T EVER GONNA HAPPEN...THE FRANCHISE MOVED ON SO QUICKLY FROM GEN 6, XZ AND YZ WAS ALLEGEDLY CANNED WHEN 3 YEARS PASSED, ZYGARDE WAS SO HAPHAZARDLY FORCED INTO SUN AND MOON

WHAT DO YOU MEAN POKEMON Z IS A REAL TITLE????? IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST A LEGEND (haha see what i did there), A PLAYGROUND RUMOR, LIKE POKEMON WATERBLUE, POKEMON GRAY, POKEMON DELTA EMERALD....ARE WE NOW GETTING SUPER MARIO 64 2 WITH A PLAYABLE LUIGI???? IS SONIC AVAILABLE IN SMASH MELEE NOW??????? IS MEW ABLE TO BE FOUND UNDER THE TRUCK???????

ALL THE RECENT RUMORS DEBATED ON GEN 2 OR GEN 5 REMAKES HAPPENING, SV DLC HINTED AT GEN 5, THE PRESENTATION THAT HAPPENED TODAY HINTED AT GEN 2, HOW WAS THIS NOT LEAKED PRIOR?!?!???!!?!?!?!!?!? AND IT'S A LEGENDS ENTRY!?!?!??!!?!?!?!??!?!?!?

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The fabled Pokémon Z

Backstory: After BW2 was made, Game Freak had to start working on X and Y. X and Y was the first mainline Pokémon games to fully be in 3D, but it also came with the cost of a potential "definitive version" not being possible. Now, I'm not too familiar with what Pokemon would do after Gen 4 (not cuz I wasn't interested, I just never had the money to keep up with this franchise fully), but from my knowledge over the years (and watching a bit of DYKG), there were plans for a "definitive version" being like Black and White's, where it's not just only an expansion of the two games, but it changes the story and characters so much that it's practically a sequel to the story that was already made.

They wanted to do similar with X and Y for this fabled "Z Version" possibly titled Pokemon XZ and YZ. Of course though, it never happened. What remains are the fact the anime calls itself “Pokémon XYZ” and having episodes involving Zygarde, the fact Zygarde and it’s whole ordeal got shifted into Sun and Moon, and two random new X and Y games hidden in the source code of X and Y. They would eventually get to do it again with Sun and Moon ala Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the DLCs for SWSH and SV would serve more as epilogues of the stories that came along (less full experiences worthy of being sequels and more so add-ons to the initial games), and that’s about it. X and Y…left in the dust, no expansion or anything….until now.

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Pokémon Legends - Awkward Position

Pokémon Legends was introduced with Pokémon Legends Arceus, and it looked to be the massive change up the franchise was desperately needing after how lackluster SWSH felt, showing that Game Freak does want to actually do greater things and take advantage of this new hardware (contrary to a lot of popular belief). Many agreed it was a little rough in some areas but, that barely mattered when the game just felt so refreshing and fun to play. A lot of worries still were afoot with this franchise, mainly if it will truly pave the wave for a new way to enjoy Pokémon.

Legends Arceus released on January, a month after the Diamond and Pearl remakes, which those games were clearly saved for holiday releases (and we all know holiday releases mean easy money from parents wanting to get gifts), so theoretically a lot of people into Pokémon or wanting to get a new Pokémon game for their child probably would’ve spent some money already on BDSP in time for Christmas. The game would also then…basically be forgotten as it would receive its last update next month and on top of that, the new generation of Pokémon was revealed for this holiday year (not to mention since both games were huge projects developed by Game Freak and BDSP was from ILCA, it only put the quality of SV into question).

You can guess after the release of SV, it made many skeptical about what’s next for the franchise. While SV offered some great ideas, Legends Arceus felt like it was truly a brand new foundation to look into for the franchise going forward, and it seemed like it did really well for what it was. As of right now it’s reached 14M sales, to put that into perspective: SWSH made 25M, theoretically both versions making around 12.5 each, so Legends Arceus may have made just as much, if not more, sales than a version exclusive title, which really shows how hyped people were to see what this game had to offer. So suddenly having the franchise move on from it, almost as if they weren’t confident in the game to begin with, it seemed a bit worrying.

Until now

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Pokémon Legends FUCKING Z-A

this is a real title. It is insane they pulled a Metroid and just revived a well known canceled name to make something completely new out of. I think what’s most wild is how not a single rumor or alleged insider ever hinted at this being a possibility, it was either claims of Gen 2 remakes ala Let’s Go style, or Gen 5 remakes because obligatory remakes of games from half of whatever generations we have now ago. I mean Gen 9 hinted at constant relations with Unova, especially in the game’s DLC iirc. And as we all saw, they kept teasing constant Gen 2 Pokémon and events in the Pokémon Presents, all to just throw a massive curve ball and introduce Gen 6. All those jokes about Paldea being based of Spain, being near France (which Kalos is based on) implying Gen 6 remakes were coming were just suddenly true I guess??? It’s almost as if within the team behind all this they made up the idea of Gen 2/5 remakes just to mess with potential leakers.

Now, confession: …I have yet to still play Legends Arceus. Again, not because I don’t want to, I just don’t have the money, so take some knowledge on gameplay and the like with a grain of salt if brought up 🥲. However, I am certain there’s still plenty of other stuff to bring up in other ways, starting with: What kinda game is this?

Many assumed if Legends was ever going to be a series, it was supposed to involve exploring past of a region. Many people making their “Legends Celebi” or “Legends Kyreum” mock-ups would believe it would give us an interesting look in what Johto/Unova respectively used to look like back then. Makes sense since speaking of legends as a word usually involves the past, what was widely believed long ago and the like. However, nothing about the trailer of Z seemed to imply this is supposed to be the ye olden days of Kalos, it all looks more like our times.

I think Tahko put it the best

They’re essentially remixing these games old themes in a fascinating new way. Usually when we see the inevitable Pokémon remakes every 2 generations, they’re obviously made with the intention to port an old almost barely accessible game to modern consoles (When Gen 3 came out, you couldn’t trade Gen 1/2 Pokémon. When Gen 4 came out, you couldn’t play GameBoy games in DS so you couldn’t migrate Pokémon with the GBA slot. When Gen 6 came out, GBA Pokémon games were not playable on 3DS). They have their own merits and reason to exist, they’re usually sorta reimaginings of these older experiences with a modern take on them with new features and such, and honestly that’s all they need to be: familiar, yet still new enough to be worth experiencing all over again.

These Legends games on the other hand seem to be attempts at revisiting these old regions and themes but put them in a completely new perspective/world and having a bigger focus on a possible legendary Pokémon that didn’t get enough time to shine. The reason why Pokémon Legends Arceus was all about time travel and the past wasn’t because “Legends means past,” rather Gen 4 had themes of time and space, so ofc it makes sense for this game based on Gen 4’s region to have a plot line involving well, time and space. Similar to how Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers, the PMD games that came out in Gen 4, were about time traveling and saving the future and the fabric of space and shit, Legends Arceus follows suite and is supposed to be viewed as if it’s an entry to the Gen 4 titles. Honestly, this is a really great thing, as while it’s nice to explore the lore or history of these different locations, it could get a little boring and possibility limiting if every Legends games was solely about Pokémon history and the like. It’s a concept worth revisiting sometimes, but not as the defining identity of the Legends series.

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The themes of Gen 6 seem to have a focus on Life and Death. It’s not easy right now to determine how exactly these concepts will be involved for Z, but seeing how this game will take place entirely within a massive more in-depth version of Lumiose City, the best I can assume is how there will be more focus in the lives of Pokémon in a more domesticated setting ala Ryme City from the Detective Pikachu series; the polar opposite to being out in the wild and seeing how feral and savage Pokémon can act towards humans back in Legends Arceus. The death side…is unknown, maybe I need to play the X and Y games to get a better idea 💀

Ah yes, I forgot, it was announced the main setting will be Lumiose City

And as shown in the trailer…it is definitely way larger than what X and Y initially had.

I’ve seen some people feel a little worried that this game will take place solely in this one city, as Pokémon is well known for having to travel setting to setting, and being stuck in one city could maybe make things feel boring with little variety in environment. But, if games like GTA and Yakuza can be city games so well beloved by many, I don’t think it’d be hard to pull off making a really compelling environment with just one city for Pokémon, it just needs to have interesting and varied landmarks, which shouldn’t be any different from practically any other Pokémon game ever, it’s just making a whole new region but surrounded constantly under this one city.

Again look at Detective Pikachu, specifically the movie, it’s whole setting was based on this one city, a lot of the plot was able to take off by exploring this city, and the climax and final battle took place in the city. I feel like they can really pull it off if they play their cards right and just make Lumiose this wonderful bustling town, and plus I’m sure there will be some parts of the region that will still offer open wild areas to find Pokémon and the like. Hell, the Pokémon themselves might carry everything if they make some really adorable or fun interactions, seeing them just living a calm lives with their trainers/human partners.

Again, a lot of this is still hard to discuss since we’re going off of simple city and title reveals, so we’ll have to further wait and see what else is planned here.

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There’s been claims too that they’re completely skipping over Gen 5 in the remake department, since again it seemed like it made the most sense to make Gen 5 remakes now due to SV hinting connections with it, but…….nah bro 💀. Everyone was out here sighing relief that they’re not gonna have ILCA butcher the Gen 5 games when, they’re probably just being saved for Gen 10 since again, this happens every 2 generations (minus the Gen 1 remakes).

To be honest though, even if ILCA is brought back for it or they once again don’t really attempt to make these Gen 5 remakes take advantage of new console hardware, like they don’t turn Unova into an entirely different region with open world setting and want to stay as close as possible to the original game’s layout and all…personally I wouldn’t mind it. Ever since the jump to home console, expectations and products of the mainline games have evolved significantly, they’re WAYYYY different from what Pokémon games actually looked like. At least back on the 3DS, games were still relatively linear, so being able to remake RSE in the way it is with the XY engine didn’t seem to out of place, it didn’t risk a whole lot. We now have more focus on open zone/world and shit, while something like Diamond and Pearl was more tile/grid based and really limiting; imo trying to remake DPPT in this sorta open zone type deal that the SWSH engine offered would’ve possibly compromised part of DPPT’s identity, some might argue that DPPT being compact and linear is what makes it enjoyable. Now, this isn’t to say BDSP was a massively faithful remake, it’s considered to be worse than the original games in many ways and a lot of it felt like they went way too far in trying to be “faithful” to the source material, they could’ve easily just made the game akin to Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee. But again, some fans would’ve still been disappointed that it doesn’t seem like Gen 4 is getting some proper treatment in using the hardware and play style that the recent title now had to offer.

This is where the Legends series comes in, where one series of games can continue being considered faithful to what they’re based on, while the other can just do whatever the fuck they want with old material while also using what current hardware is capable of. BDSP and Legends Arceus were a great showcase of this sorta decision making, do you want the game that you easily recognize the moment you boot up (something more simple in power)? Or do you want the game that uses stuff you remember in whole new ways that it’s practically a completely new game (something that takes advantage of what kinds of games are possible now)? The same sorta deal might happen with the Gen 5 remakes.

Plus, I don’t think Black and White’s whole look can even be ruined, like I really think it’s impossible. BW aged pretty well due to its usage of 3D environments and camera angles and the like, so if this next faithful remake were just basically port the game and upscale the graphics and all, it would still look really great, if not better upon getting to see these 3D environments in HD. With the game already look great visually form the get-go, people won’t really have much problem with how the game looks as a lot of the 3D world environment would already be done for them. Does that make sense?

As for Gen 2 remakes ala Let’s Go Pichu and Togepi or whatever……………nah……nah that shit ain’t happening 💀

Let’s Go was made as a way for new fans from Pokémon GO (which came out a year prior and was widely successful) to be able to get into the rest of the franchise, with the Switch finally being out, it was a brand new beginning for a lot of fans. And ofc, it used Kanto cuz that’s what most people remember Pokémon for. I’m not sure what the point of Gen 2 remakes of the same style would be for, and as far as I know there isn’t much reason for Gen 2 to be relevant at the moment outside of certain Johto Pokémon making a somewhat noticeable appearance in the recent SV games. Sure, it could be argued it’s just like what I said earlier, it’s done to make these games that are not at all playable on a current console more available, but the usual remakes just seem like tradition at this point, Let’s Go remakes is still unknown if they’re necessary. Especially since yk…we have that one new feature of the Switch that allows us to play old retro games, and they’ve been allowing GB/GBC/GBA games to be playable as well……I’m just saying they could easily just work on there instead…

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With all that being said, why Gen 6? Besides I guess Kalos being next to Paldea according to their real world counterparts, there hasn’t been much brought up about Gen 6 lately. Just like Gen 2, it hasn’t had much relevance, and it’s not the next generation that needs a remake compared to Gen 5.

How I see it, I think it’s less about monetary business reasons/series synergy or tradition or whatever, and more of a symbolic reason.

Gen 6 felt like a missed opportunity according to many people. Now, sure you could say that for a lot of recent Pokémon games, but like I said earlier, at least they had their opportunities to expand their stories and lore and such. Gen 6…did not get that special treatment. It was the first 3D Pokémon game and it set some stuff up for possible expansion in the usual third version or sequel games, only for time constraints to get in the way. Hell, some people consider Gen 6 to be where Pokémon started to have its downfall, the whole “[franchise] had a rough transition into 3D”, due to the game lacking features and the like that Gen 5 had in spades, or being the start of showing how flawed the franchise is and how it’s starting to fumble trying to manage itself. Having to make brand new games with a whole new region, new set of designs, new gimmicks, everything that will be the identity of the franchise for the next 3 years, until they start over again? This plan was not started to seem viable anymore, especially when Gen 8 rolled around. And as of lately you see people stupidly suggesting Pokémon needs to return to 2D and only stay as a 2D franchise, cuz that’s totally a great mindset for a franchise.

To me, this is Game Freak feeling confident that they can manage this, they have more experience in how they want to create these titles with this new home console hardware and massive expectations. Gen 6 was the game that started a new era for Pokémon, it only makes sense to use that era defining title to prove this new formula of Pokémon is indeed a new series to dive into now, one that shows off what they’re capable of now that they’re not held back by being on portable consoles for another 20 years. This is them giving a game that deserved more attention a new look and the expansion it deserved, possibly a way bigger one than any other generations that came after.

Seeing how this game is being saved for 2025 (presumably for the Switch 2 or whatever), if this truly is being worked on for another year and a half, being saved for the next holiday season maybe, then I think this means the franchise is finally starting to slow down and take it’s time. However, only time will tell what’s in store for the franchise.

#pokemon #pokémon legends z a #Pokémon legends #game freak #Nintendo #Pokémon presents #Pokémon

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darkx-the-dragon-kn1ght · 2 months ago

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Pokémon Reborn Screenshot Let's Play: Chapter 41

Wow, my writing muse has just not been with me this past week. I can't even fully blame it on work, I think it's more to do with other stuff happening in my life the last few days (nothing super tragic or anything, but rather stressful all the same) that's sapped away at my motivation. I wanted to finish the writing phase of this in two or three days- and it's taken me almost five. Sure, I'm assuming no one minds a longer wait for updates as long as the updates actually happen, but I don't like being late on new chapters!

Not that there's much I can do about that- a schedule’s a schedule, not much I can do to change it, even if I really wanted to. But I've still persisted, and so…here we are!

So what is happening in this game now? How's the story progressed thus far in this second third? I'll tell you one thing, the bad guys and the plot as a whole have not wasted any time causing chaos in the life of our local protagonist- and I'll explain how right now!

Xera returns to the Belrose Manse to deliver the Herbal Extract to Anna. Despite the girl pouring it all over Nostra the doll instead of taking it herself, Anna appears to make a rapid recovery anyways.

Anna claims that Xera is going to need all the Reborn League Badges very soon, and to that end she urges Noel and Charlotte to battle her, being Gym Leaders themselves. Charlotte is still a bit too strong for Xera’s current skill level, but Noel (reluctantly) agrees to battle Xera.

To prepare to battle Noel, Xera returns to a certain area in Rhodochrine Jungle. On the way, she encounters Victoria in Beryl Cemetery, paying respects at Kiki’s recently-made grave. She tells Xera about how she was closer to Kiki than her actual mother, and how Kiki in her will left everything to her and her alone- apparently, she had no other family or loved ones, which Victoria was unaware of due to never asking her. Victoria laments how she missed out on her and Kiki being family rather than just student and teacher, then leaves without another word.

Xera returns to the totem pole in Rhodochrine Jungle, where she encounters and catches Bastion the Golett.

Xera returns to the Belrose Manse; with everyone gathered in the front garden and Charlotte acting as referee, the time for the Gym challenge against Noel seems ready to get underway. However, just as Charlotte as readying the battle to begin, she spots someone approaching from the distance…

A woman flies in on a Dragonite- the eldest Belrose sister, Saphira. She greets everyone and learns from Charlotte about the Orphanage escape, and responds with dire news: Dr. Connal and Team Meteor are on their way to the mansion as they speak, no doubt intent on recapturing the kids yet again,

With Team Meteor traveling across the lake and Connal on the land, Saphira plans to attack the former group while Xera and Laura protect the kids inside the mansion- as the only two other legal adults, they would not get into as much trouble as one of the kids might if they fought (like Charlotte). With the plan set, Saphira and Dragonite fly off into battle as the rest of the group rushes inside.

The group decides it would be best to split up hiding places- Anna and Noel hiding upstairs and Laura- who is revealed to be an Elite Four member- on guard, with Shelly and Charlotte hiding in the kitchen downstairs and Xera on guard.

As the group disperses, Connal arrives with several of his orderlies. True to his word back at Yureyu HQ, he is not going to grant Xera any further mercy, and engages her in a battle. Despite Xera having little time to prepare, she manages to defeat him yet again.

Just as Connal is defeated, a haggard Sirius enters the mansion, informing Connal that Saphira attacked him and his soldiers on the lake, likely killing several (or all) of them. He’s also furious at Xera for her and Cain blowing up his office, wanting to take revenge on Cain in particular. As Connal explains his own situation, Sirius remarks on Xera now being outnumbered…

Sirius plans to search the upstairs area, while Connal will search downstairs- and Xera cannot stop them both, so she is forced to choose. She decides to stick with the plan and stay downstairs to continue holding off Connal, and so Sirius goes upstairs.

Saphira reappears just as Sirius leaves, and wastes little time confronting Connal about the torture he put her and her sisters through at the Orphanage. In the name of taking revenge, she brings out her Dragonite once more and orders it to use Hyper Beam, sending Connal flying out of the mansion.

Saphira’s victory is short-lived, however. Sirius, freshly defeated by Laura of the Elite Four, returns downstairs and ambushes Saphira with his Seviper, knocking her out with Poison Jab and taking her with as he escapes.

Laura and Charlotte are the first to emerge after the raid, Charlotte explaining that they’re not just going to leave Saphira in Team Meteor’s hands…even though she’s more than capable of breaking out on her own. Laura agrees, but due to Charlotte being among Team Meteor’s intended targets to begin with, Laura does not allow her to go with, instead opting to head in herself with Xera’s assistance.

Laura explains that Team Meteor was responsible for putting up the strange metal structures in Tanzan Mountain, and thus they must have a base there. With that, the two set out for the mountain on their rescue mission.

So yeah- we're not getting a new Gym Badge that quickly, we're instead having to deal with Team Meteor yet again after all, which I really should have expected but alas! So it's another rescue mission, not unlike Yureyu HQ- though, to be frank, Saphira seems so powerful she probably doesn't need any help, but it's probably still a good idea to go in and assist anyways, if only to make sure she doesn't pop a vein from Laura going in alone. Besides- no doubt, this'll lead to some answers about the mysteries of Spinel Town, the teleportation, and the earthquakes…all of which I'm still blaming on Team Meteor! And I will continue to blame them until I'm proven wrong! And the only way to see if I'm wrong or not is to go into that mountain, so let's go!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

#pokemon reborn #pokemon reborn spoilers #pokemon fan game #pokemon reborn screenshot let's play

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shining-kommo-o · 2 months ago

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Same person again, and no you are absolutely right about Kalos and you should speak your truth, I remember it so vividly when I was 13 and the first trailer for it got released , I think time has forgotten HOW rabid everyone went for that trailer, microanalising every single frame of it, and making memes that finally Pokemon was going to be so so awesome in 3D , it’s one of those “you had to be there” type of moment . But oh boy the dissapointment I felt on release day, back then I didn’t have the words to explain why but looking back, these games were just, nothing. It genuinely was so bad that I was off put by Pokémon up until Gen 9, and even going back and replaying it plus the regions I missed , to this day as an adult I feel nothing towards Kalos , because I can see even clearly now the flaws of it. The story, the gameplay, the world , everything (minus the Pokémon themselves and Pokémon Amie )

Sorry for that rant as well, Gen 6 is… surely something eh

Finally someone understands!! I wasn't there for a majority of the discussion pre-release (and even post-release), since I had super limited access to the internet until I was about 16-17. But I was so hype when I got this game, and I ended up kind of disappointed but i didn't know why? Didn't have the words either back then, but now I do.

I think most of the people who really are ride or die with XY are the people who really loved that phase of the anime, or people who had XY as their first game. That's the pattern i've seen among my friends, and among online discussion, though i'm sure there are people out there who really love XY who fit neither of those categories. And if you like XY, no shade to you. I respect that. Live your life to its fullest, i'm glad there are some out there who love those games a lot.

But for me, the disappointment of Xerneas being stuck in this boring blue most of the time, the disappontment of my starter (chesnaught) not being able to mega evolve (and then having salt rubbed in the wound with greninja getting a new form in Alola, ik it's anime related but cmon), along with everything else, it stayed with me. I spent most of my time in Kalos gambling away by wonder trading.

Oh yeah and I also remember that bug that had Pokémon appear as grayscale around launch, that had people thinking if monochromatic Pokémon were a new, rarer than shinies variant.

There was also that glitched up Litleo too. That one was funny.

That and how you couldn't save in Lumiose City at launch, otherwise it'd basically ruin your save file. And how Nintendo literally released a map to show you where not to save before they put out a patch.

This isn't to say "Kalos bad because glitches", just that to me, someone really invested in glitches and oddities, those really stuck out to me :P

Anyways, I asked some friends a while back, what Pokémon game they'd rather play out of all of them, and I know this isn't really conclusive evidence, but usually the answers I got were ORAS if they wanted a game with mega evos, or USUM. And that tracks with my own thoughts as well (tho I mostly prefer to play base SuMo haha). Curious to know if others feel this way as well.

I think I also feel a bigger kinship towards SuMo because that's the first Pokémon gen I actually got to keep up with pre-release (anyone remember when they'd show new pokémon weekly?? I started college at that time, I remember watching them as they dropped, sometimes in class, sometimes with friends. I remember when Primarina, who had been leaked prior, was revealed. I was so happy ;w;)

#ask #rambles rambles but i have feelings towards gen 6. i tried replaying it like 2 yrs ago but it rly brought me nothing. and i sort of #abandonned that.#also i think the friends they give u are annoying imm sorry

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razorblade180 · 2 years ago

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OC Test: Pokémon pt1

The gang all gathers together wearing baseball caps with enough pokéballs for everyone to grab one. Theoretically, that are all empty; that is until they grab it and reveal what their companion would be.

Mona:If I get the garage bag Pokémon I’m going to burn this place down to the ground.

Yujin:So it’s not a test of luck, but more of a divine intervention kinda situation.

Aero:Carmine, go fist.

Carmine:Why me?

Aero:Because I don’t need to feel good about what I get just for you to throw out Mew Two or some other bullshit.

Everyone else:Yeah…

Carmine:You all are scared of nothing but I’ll humor you.

She walks up and grabs a single pokéball. Carmine turns her cap backwards before revealing her new companion with an epic throw. Light shoots out and her eyes go wide as a Rapidash appears. Never as she ran so fast to greet friend.

Kovu:Of course….

Carmine:OH MY GOD YOU’RE PERFECT.

Rapidash:*nuzzles her*

Carmine:GUYS, I GOT A FIRE HORSE!

Tenzen:She doesn’t know Pokémon?

Aero:Carmine is an outdoors child and this easily was the best outcome.

Jacquelyn:My turn!

Sienna:This is the part where you out stage us. If it wasn’t going to be her then it will be you.

Jacquelyn:Come now, I’m not that cool.

The kind maiden holds her pokéball with both hands and let’s it open by itself. Large wings form and the air chills as Articuno appears in all its majestic glory.

The Group:ARE YOU SERIOUS!?

Jacquelyn:*petting it* Don’t hate the player. Hate the game.

Sienna:Alright, let’s get this over with. If it’s a cat Pokémon I’m going to be offended.

She took off her hat and tossed it to see where it would fall. She grabbed the pokéball closest to it and sent it flying. The light curved down and grew massive as it took the form of a Steelix. Sienna was speechless as it lowered its head for her to sit on before rising up.

Sienna:…This is the best test ever. Jael, you have to pick one!

Jael:What are the odds I get something as epic as you both?

Tenzen:The more important question is what are the odds of getting the Pokémon that can’t stop bouncing or its heart will stop?

Jael:I hope you get the flamingo just for putting that possibility out there.

Jael uses her semblance to pull a poké right into her hand. She decides to turn her cap around as well then greets her new friend, Metagross!

Veronica:So the entire family is just dangerous? That’s concerning.

Jael:*patting it* I think I’ll call you Ingot.

Aero:Alright Mona, let’s rip off the bandaid. Wanna go before or after me?

Mona:I’ll bite the bullet. There’s like a thousand of these guys. I gotta get something cool.

Tenzen:There are Pokémon shaped like ice cream and keys. The net is wide.

Mona:If I get monkey then I’m thrilled. *picks one*

She spins it on her fingers before flinging it forward. The light that shoots out began to grow big and wide. When it vanished, the thief was left with a massive Snorlax. Mona casually walked up to it, unblinking and silent before bellyflopping onto it.

Mona:I’m chill with this. I’ll name you Beanbag.

Nick:Not gonna lie, kinda jealous.

Aero:I was really worried she was about to get something crazy like Hoopa. Crisis averted. Let’s see if I get a flying buddy.

Aero runs over and scoops a pokéball up with his hat. He tosses it up and left utterly surprised as shiny Cofagrigus appeared in front of him.

Kovu:Interesting how you got the creepiest one yet.

Aero:Keep talking like that and you’re going in this thing. I gotta admit though, this is pretty cool.

Cofagrigus: *gives him hat*

Aero:I love them.

Kovu:My turn.

Carmine:I will make fun of you if it’s bad.

Aero:Same.

Mona:Watch this bitch get a Sparrow.

Kovu:All of you suck.

Kovu grabs a pokéball at random and tosses it casually. Both himself and his friends were surprised when a Shaymin emerged! The cute little hedgehog crawled to Kovu where he promptly put it on top his head.

Carmine:Context?

Aero:He got a mythical Pokémon with good potential…

Carmine:I respect that. A fitting duo.

Kovu:You think I have potential?

Carmine:I said what I said.

Summer:I kinda just wanna play theres. Let’s take a break!

Nick:Wait! I want my turn. *walking*

Eliza:Nick I swear to god, you better get a regular Pokémon.

Nick:What are you afraid of? It’s not up to me.

Valerie:Get Vaporieon.

Nick:How dare you.

Summer:Get ditto and prove you’re the copy of me.

Veronica:Not to side with them but you better set the bar low. You win way too much at these things.

Sparrow:Get a Muk!

Nick ignores his friends and he picks up a pokéball as if he’s not worried. Turning his cap around, he throws the pokéball straight up. The sky dims a little as the white light turns golden before bursting out overhead, leaving Jirachi to shine down on the boy. Nick turns to hlhis group of naysayers to give the most satisfying smirk in his life.

Nick:Can’t stop, won’t stop.

TSF: Hacks! We call hacks!

#rwby #rwbabies #my ocs #the void #oc test

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cringywhitedragon · 9 months ago

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Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Starlight/Spectral Guardian: Partner Backstory

More PMD AU stuff, this is some lore for the Partner to the Protagonist.

Initially introduced as an orphaned Pokémon taken under the care of the Thieves Guild’s leader who rescues the player after their first run in with the Specter. They are best described as adventurous and helping but have lived a mostly sheltered life since Guildmaster Gamblar was very cautious about letting them go off on their own (He has his reasons).

He/She/They don’t have a set species or Gender and can be any of the Pokémon available from the start of the story when the player chooses their Pokémon and Partner as well as a feature to give them a unique personality aside from their default traits that will be present across all versions (ie: backstory and motivation).

They are first introduced in the intro where they are shown sneaking out of the Thieves Guild’s HQ in the middle of the night to go out on their own towards Guardian’s Rest where they rescue the player from the hopeless boss fight against the Spector and take them back to their home at the Guild.

The protagonist awakens in the partner’s room where they meet their soon to be companion. As the protag has no memories of them being a human, the partner assumes they too are another orphaned pokemon

“Say you’re a rather interesting Pokemon. Not a lot of people climb Guardian’s Rest since that area is off limits to most of the people here in Edenia. Da- Err… I just got an earful from the Guildmaster for that little stunt. He was worried sick.”

After some back and forth, the player will meet the Guild-master and after an undetermined quest he will decide to allow the player and their new friend to officially join the guild.

The partner is also described as being interested in “human culture” as are with most Edenians. Their room is decorated like a human’s room (Also a standard for Edenia since human culture still largely remains unlike the rest of the world.) and upon the reveal of the partner being a human by either Galasklisk or Omuraapy at the start of Act 2 as well as the prophecy they are shocked to believe it’s true.

Act 1 or the story you won’t know much up until Act 2 (Beating the Spector atop Guardian’s Rest) in which we learn that the partner of the player was a descendant of the Pokémon family that ruled the Capital City of Edenia and the ones who adopted the first ever human who showed up in the world of Pokémon during a time known as the Age of Darkness not long after the worlds were separated.

The Partner lost their family at a young age after an attack from the Spector who learned they were one of the two Chosen Ones destined to defeat its master (The Will) and tried to get rid of them yet failed. In the ruins of the old house, the just recently hatched Partner would be found and adopted by the Guildmaster after responding to a bounty to investigate what had happened.

If and when you decide to evolve the Protag or the Partner (Evolution can be done during the main story but only after Act 2 begins, including the post game but is completely optional) to their later stages, the Partner character will have some dialogue changes that show they have matured more.

Once the final boss is defeated and the worlds remerge, the Partner will comment on how they are excited to meet other humans other then the player and also remark on how surprised they are that they remained a Pokémon (Yeah, SlSpG won’t have a sad ending as this is a story of reunions.)

#pokémon mystery dungeon #fakemon #pmd starlight spectral guardian #partner pokemon #alternate universe #original character #pokemon

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doubleddenden · 10 months ago

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I have done the Worst Possible Pokemon Day prediction. I have done the NO Way in Hell Will it Ever be This Good prediction. Time for the "realistic" prediction.

Nostalgia bait video of game progression throughout the years or scene of everyone playing Pokémon

Pokemon Go is doing a thing I guess, probably BW2 Kyurem

Unite- they're adding Miraidon and have already told us, but they need to take up time.

Masters has a bunch of gems and events idk. Looks like someone is getting a Mega Tyranitar I guess

Cafe ReMix is gonna do a thing- did they already add Miraidon? I don't keep up with it tbh, looks boring

Pokemon Sleep has some kind of thing. Maybe more pokemon added?

Merch announced- its bland and over priced, but someone will buy it. The only thing I want are hats

Pokemon Concierge season 2 trailer?

Next Pokémon game- most likely ILCA Unova remakes (I'll argue this if I have to, but they're just short of a cowboy and large mole driving a car and honking a Driftveil inspired La Cucaracha carhorn through the streets of New York with the obvious hints they're dropping in games and in literal NYC right now lately).

Legends Unova or something in that vein announced for either December 2024 or January 2025. This will be the last Switch mainline game.

Music video, probably Hatsune Miku

Less likely to happen, but on the table

Gb, GBC, and GBA ports to eshop or NSO

New Pokémon movie announcement featuring the first mythical since Zarude- most likely the Horizons cast

Something about Horizons anime- Sprigatito evolves?

New anime mini series based on SV DLC? Maybe centered on Carmine, Kieran, the BBE4, and Ogerpon.

After that is where you start getting surprises, good or bad. Side games won't replace a mainline game release or dlc as proven by PMD DX, so they could do whatever from here.

Reasonable but random predictions, not all but maybe one or more could happen, most likely not

PMD Explorers Remake

PMD Mobile game with micro transactions and live service

Pokemon crosses over with something

tcg digital card game on Switch

Pokemon racer game

Will not Happen, imo:

SV dlc pack 2. They seem pretty done with it tbh, even with all the loose ends. Can't blame them for being tired of adding content to a broken game that's still not finished and is being held together with scotch tape and Elmer's glue

Johto re remakes YET: simply because I think those will be an early Switch 2 title to get as many people on board the next system akin to how LGPE drew in the Go, genwunner, and main crowd to the Switch, and they can't announce it because Nintendo hasn't officially revealed the Switch 2 yet. I'll say they'll announce that next year.

Kalos- yeah I see you there, you dumb bastard, still huffing that Kalos Copium 11 years later. Let it go, man. Let. It. Goooo. Southern Kalos is NOT happening dude. At least, not this gen. It didn't happen in Alola, not in Galar, and it's not happening in Paldea. They're not skipping gen 5 to get to you first.

Overall I expect a similar response to the 2021 Pokémon Day Presents. A mixture of under, over, and straight up whelmed. Thorough disappointment for everything but Legends Arceus, from what I remember. Maybe they'll make my day and surprise me with something amazing, but I feel that the ILCA Unova Remake will probably piss a lot of people off while the Legends game excites me and everyone else.

#dd from the future: being fair kalos came out of left field #it's kinda funny but don't be dicks about this please

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xman34theidiot · 1 year ago

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A really dumb idea I had:

Infinity:

A manga series in the Pokémon world, kind of like JoJo. It details the events of the games, but in a world where instead of Pokémon, people just. Have access to Infinity energy directly. The parts are:

Part 1: Red Green Blue

A tale of a ninja boy studying to become a great ninja. Probably the weakest story wise. Based on gen 1.

Part 2: Golden Days

2 years after the protagonist's journey, a young man ventures to explore the region he calls home, making friends and enemies along the way. The first to follow the Infinity formula. Based on gen 2.

Part 3: Flaming Oceans

A young man explores Hoenn on a vacation, oblivious to the lurking horror of the legendary beings awaiting him. Based on gen 3.

Part 4: Temporal Spatial Madness

A general election is taking place in Sinnoh, and a young man seeks to win it. On his campaign trail, he stumbles across a major conspiracy to overthrow the world order as we know it. Probably the most groundbreaking so far. Based on gen 4.

Special Saga: Will of God

A young man is sent to the ancient past by the Lord Arceus for unknown purposes. While dealing with the politics and mysterious powers of the land of Hisui, what awaits him? Based on Legends Arceus.

Part 5: Ideal Truth

It's Unova! A young man goes out on a journey of self discovery with his friends, and meets a man with a unique power: a complete lack of Infinity Energy. Along his path, he deals with those who seek to wipe out Infinity Energy altogether. Based on gen 5.

Special Saga 2: Shades of Gray

Two years after the Team Plasma incident, a new hero shows up in the wreckage. What world will he shape? What world has been shaped already? Based on BW2.

Part 6: Deadly Daily Stroll

In the beautiful region of Kalos, a new power awakens. What is this "Mega evolution"? Who are these people who desire eternal beauty? And what new and old faces will we meet this time? Definitely a game changer for the series, as it introduces arc gimmicks into the main series(they EXISTED in Special Saga 1, but not in mainline.)Based on Gen 6.

Part 7: Arrows of Sun and Moon

On the Alolan Isles, a young man seeks to become a master archer, despite his lack of skill. As he hones his skills, the forms of Z moves come into play. How will this power propel his growth? My second favorite idea. Based on gen 7.

Part 8: Warrior of Heaven and Hell

A young Galarian boy is sent on a journey by the strongest fighter in the region. Moreover, the power of "Dynamax", increasing one's size and strength, is becoming ubiquitous. What will this mean for the world? Probably my least favourite idea, but I still like it. Based on gen 8.

Part 9: Futurama

A teenager from Kanto moves to Paldea to go to the prestigious Uva Academy. On his way, however, he notices a mysterious injured woman at the beach, revealing metal and wires from her injuries. Moreover, he soon learns the power of "Terastal", crystallizing oneself to increase one's power. What is the true meaning of this phenomenon? What does it have to do with the woman at the beach? Who is she? And what does all this have to do with the mysterious Area Zero of Paldea? My personal favorite, and if I make specific region posts, the one I'm doing first. Based on Gen 9.

Takeaway: I am weird. Idk like/reblog if you want me to go further in depth on what I think any one part would be like. Have a wonderful day human

#pokemon #pokemon rby #pokemon gold and silver #pokemon rse #pokemon diamond and pearl #pokemon black and white #pokemon xy #pokemon sun and moon #pokemon swsh #pokemon sv #pokemon legends arceus

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shock-micro · 1 year ago

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Pokémon Prophecies: Genesect

I said a bit earlier that I had an idea for a Legends game set in a future Unova. Let's elaborate on that, shall we?

Why center it around Genesect?

Because Genesect, in this, is only the first of its kind.

Let's set this in the far future, after some terrible war has come and passed, in a post-post-apocalyptic type setting. Humanity lives in these dazzling cities, and Pokémon are... not the same. All but the most hardy of biological species were wiped out, and in their place, are two types of Pokémon.

Iron-Paradoxes- now given regular names, as they're just normal Pokémon in this era- and "Genesis" forms, resurrected forms of Pokémon long lost, given new technological grace to help them survive in the new environment.

So, if you're reading this far in, you've probably already played Legends: Arceus. So, you should know the format: Find new area, complete a quest, unlock the area's ride Pokémon, complete another quest, quell the area's Noble, and catch more Pokémon to rank up and prove yourself worthy of entering a more dangerous area.

Each of the rides you obtain is a new paradox- maybe even direct reflections of the Legends ones, like a paradox Braviary for gliding. And the frenzied Nobles? Well, those could be replaced with the new Genesis forms, something having gone wrong with their cybernetics.

Turns out, each of the Genesis forms were altered by a corrupted form of the Drives that change Techno Blast's type, and so, say, a Genesis Weezing that was supposed to clean the air actually did quite the opposite, or a Genesis Staraptor caused a great blizzard due to a Frost Drive causing it to generate snowy gales with every wing-flap.

Each area could be like spiraling deeper into the heart of Unova, seeing how old cities grew and what became of the smaller towns, until you reach the former site of the Entralink at its center. Now, instead of the great Entree, there stands a skyscraper that pierces the heavens, in the center of the new capital city, "Genesis".

In terms of how this all ties in with the version differences between Black and White, we can reconcile that very cleanly with the Entree being destroyed. The two realities collapsed into each other, with Black's world winning out in most aspects, though some legends still tell of a time when and a world where a great forest could be found at the site of Black City.

I feel there's a good bit of stuff you could do, with a post-post-war Unova. Unity Tower, the former tallest tower in Unova, could have been demolished in the war, replaced with a memorial and a message of peace. The story itself wouldn't be dark, it'd stay light-hearted and maybe even uplifting, but things like this could be an interesting way to set the stage for why the Pokémon world is the way it is now. People have rebuilt, they're living their lives alongside Pokémon as they always have, there's just one somber note in the now-distant past of a time where the world was anything but united.

Nature could still be found throughout Unova, but there would be a lot less closer to its heart. I have a very slight idea of why, which could potentially involve Unova getting its very own Great Crater.

Let's get back to that first question I posed. Why Genesect? As I said, Genesect is simply the first of its kind, but there's been no trace of it for years. It was last said to be found in the heart of Unova, at the former site of the Entree. Finding the living form of Genesect could be the key to understanding why the new Genesis forms have been going wrong, when poring over ancient blueprints has revealed nothing.

So, would this be an interesting idea? Let me know! I know GameFreak would never do something like this, but hey, a robot can dream.

#pokemon #legends arceus #pokemon legends arceus #genesect #legends unova #prophecies genesect

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xb-squaredx · 2 years ago

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Gaming in 2022: A Look Back

With another year behind us, many have a lot to look forward to, especially in the realm of gaming. That said, it’s also important to take stock of just what happened last year. While it’s taken me a bit of time to get this out there (December was a pretty crazy month), it’s time to look back on gaming in 2022, from the highs to the lows and everything in between. Some interesting trends, drama and surprise comebacks are in store for us so let’s get started!

THE BIG THREE (AND EVERYONE ELSE)

Let’s start with a quick recap of the highlights for some of the biggest companies in the gaming sphere. First, the Big N: Nintendo had a pretty interesting year. The Switch continues to sell well, currently sitting at 114 million units sold, with it now working on overcoming the strong sales of their most successful handheld consoles. Despite loud cries for a Switch successor, sales haven’t really slowed down. In fact, at multiple points this year Nintendo made headlines for strong sales, with the much awaited Splatoon 3 breaking records for the best Japanese launch ever, just a few years after Animal Crossing: New Horizons crashed past the previous record. And just a few months later Pokémon Scarlet and Violet threatened that record as well. Overall, strong sales for many games and some mostly well-received titles too. It was a year for trilogies as we saw the release of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Splatoon 3 and Bayonetta 3 within quick succession of each other, not to mention Kirby and the Forgotten Land as a strong debut for the pink puffball’s first fully 3D outing. That said, other titles weren’t as warmly received: Nintendo Switch Sports and Mario Strikers: Battle League have a somewhat lukewarm reception, receiving criticism for lacking content that would be rectified with free updates throughout the year. As far as big reveals, the long-awaited sequel to Breath of the Wild was fully unveiled as Tears of the Kingdom, though would be delayed into May of 2023. Adding to this, in a bit of a swerve Nintendo would reveal a two year plan of DLC tracks for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, on top of reveals like Fire Emblem: Engage and Pikmin 4 slated for 2023. One of the most talked about gaming topics in 2022 however was the full unveiling of the Super Mario Movie. While the casting of Chris Pratt as Mario still draws criticism, once full trailers were out showcasing the rest of the cast and gorgeous visuals the overall perception of the movie has become quite positive as it approaches a 2023 release as well. A busy year for Nintendo, with plenty still on their plate moving into the new year.

Microsoft’s efforts this year have been fairly mixed. On the software front, they didn’t really bring much to the field this past year, something they’ve acknowledged themselves. Outside of some smaller, more narrative-driven games like Pentiment or Immortality the bigger IPs currently tied to Xbox are very quiet. Games like Everwild or Hellblade 2 seem a ways off, with other large titles like Starfield delayed into 2023. On top of that, the overall reception to Halo Infinite continues to be mixed for such a tent pole release. Various updates like co-op or the Forge were constantly delayed, with split-screen co-op, a mainstay for the series, having been dropped entirely. Really, the biggest news out of Xbox this year was Microsoft shocking the industry with the attempted acquisition of Activision and Blizzard. While negotiations are ongoing, with the FTC getting involved at points, there has been much discussion generated about the potential purchase. Microsoft has had some pretty wild arguments as they attempt to paint buying up a gigantic company right off the heels of buying another giant company with Bethesda as necessary to compete with the likes of Sony, though the current heads of the FTC don’t seem to be buying them. Hard to tell where the news will go from here, but it was definitely one of the biggest stories to come out of gaming in 2022.

Lastly from the big three we have Sony, which also had a somewhat slower year. When it comes to large, first-party releases they were spread fairly thin. Horizon: Forbidden West came early in the year, though all discussion on it seemed to be snuffed out just weeks later with the release of Elden Ring, Fromsoftware’s latest smash hit. While we would see releases like the Last of Us remake later in the year, discussion didn’t really pick up again until the proper release of GOTY contender God of War: Ragnarok. Two prestige games to bookend the year isn’t too shabby for Sony, on top of their continued efforts to make certain first-party games available on PC, such as the first Horizon game, 2018’s God of War, the Uncharted series and now one of the few true PS5 exclusives in Returnal. On that note, it would seem that 2022 is the last major year for cross-gen games, which has somewhat contributed to the latest console generation’s rather sluggish start (but hey, a global pandemic on top of several other issues will do that). As the year went on however, it does seem as if PlayStation 5 consoles are becoming slightly easier to acquire and sales are generally on a positive turn, at roughly 30 million consoles sold at the end of 2022. As a response to Microsoft’s continued bids to acquire studios, Sony has also announced a plan to purchase Bungie, likely in a bid to have them craft a first-party multiplayer title to compete with the likes of Halo, Bungie’s former claim-to-fame, or even their own efforts with the Destiny series. Sony also caught flack for their VR support this year, revealing not only the hefty price tag on the PlayStation VR 2, but that it would not be compatible at all with the previous VR system. For the big movers and shakers of the industry we’re definitely seeing the ongoing aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, with delays and dry spells, not to mention supply issues, though it does seem that stability is on the horizon.

For the smaller developers out there, there’s definitely some good and bad spread around. Fromsoftware finally released the long-awaited Elden Ring and created a smash hit the likes of which the company hasn’t seen before, selling over 17 million copies by 2022’s end. In addition to winning Game of the Year from The Game Awards, they also dropped a full reveal trailer for their next project, Armored Core VI: Flames of Rubicon, which delighted many long-time fans. While many have argued over just how successful the company has been in recent years, some still calling them a rather niche developer, Elden Ring’s success seems to have cemented Fromsoftware as among the most prominent Japanese developers, and all eyes will be on their future work.

Square Enix had a somewhat rocky year. While further details on the likes of Final Fantasy XVI, as well as the next installment in the Final Fantasy VII “remake” were real highlights, alongside the reveal of Kingdom Hearts 4, a number of smaller titles released throughout the year were more mixed. The strategy game The Diofield Chronicle, the action RPG Valkyrie Elysium and farm sim Harvestella had a so-so reception, but then there were more acclaimed titles like the Live A Live and Crisis Core remakes, as well as Strange of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. But the year started with quite the one-two punch of Babylon’s Fall and Chocobo GP, both lambasted by critics and players alike. The former was seen as a disappointing action MMO, with the latter being a greedy live service racing game that held back what could have otherwise been a welcome remake of the older Chocobo racing games. But far and away the biggest story coming out of Square Enix was selling off their western studios to Embracer, and not long after the sale Embracer would close down what was once Square Enix Montreal. For one of the more prominent developers out there, it was quite the spotty track record this year.

When it comes to third-party consoles or gaming platforms, we saw the death of one and rise of another. Google’s Stadia, a cloud-gaming service, was formally shut down, though customers were refunded all purchases, so there’s that! Elsewhere, Valve released the Steam Deck, effectively a portable gaming PC to mostly positive reception. While likely not going to overtake the Switch anytime soon, it stands as a viable alternative for gamers that want more portability with much better specs. All things told, the industry has had its fair share of ups and downs, but it continues onwards, and as a result there are some interesting trends coming out of the year.

A NEW ERA OF FIGHTING GAMES, THE REVIVAL OF HORROR AND…SONIC IS GOOD AGAIN?

We’ll start with my personal bias and once again dive into the world of fighting games. Generally speaking, things have been on the upturn for the fighting game genre. The pandemic finally forced Japanese developers to recognize the importance of quality netcode and we have been hit with multiple announcements of retrofitting the netcode into older titles, and even more current titles. Arc System Work’s entire modern catalogue has either had rollback added or will be added in the near future, while enjoying continued success with Guilty Gear Strive on top of the release of DNF Duel. Strive’s DLC also ended up getting quite a bit of attention throughout the year, with the release of Testament, a nonbinary character and fan-favorite Bridget, who has come out as transsexual in this new installment, many praising ArcSys for their portrayal (mostly). SNK isn’t far behind, releasing King of Fighters XV to great acclaim, with it boasting quality netcode, on top of them announcing the implementation of rollback for the most recent Samurai Shodown game as well as announcing a new Garou game to end the year on a bang. After the mixed reception to the previous entry, the proper unveiling of Street Fighter 6 has been extremely well received. The updated visuals, warmly-received newcomers to the roster, impressive online and a bevy of single-player offerings has many hyping this up as perhaps the best Street Fighter yet, due out in June 2023. Namco fully unveiled Tekken 8, and while concrete details are still unknown, many praised the updated visuals and hope the game’s netcode will be up to snuff with the competition. We also saw the release of MultiVersus from Warner Bros. A platform fighter starring a gaggle of characters from various IPs under WB’s control, it managed to make massive waves as the open beta hit, becoming the best-selling game in July with over 10 million downloads in that first month alone. Being a successful free-to-play game certainly gives other full-priced fighting games some pause, though it remains to be seen if this success might impact the genre in a greater capacity. Still though, things are looking good for fighting game fans, but they’re not the only genre fans eating well.

Horror fans have had their ups and downs, though in recent times the genre has seen a resurgence of sorts, and not just from smaller indie games this time either! Fans were hit with a double-whammy of reveals for the long-rumored Resident Evil 4 remake, alongside a Silent Hill 2 remake. In addition to confirming an Alan Wake remake, Remedy would also confirm work on Alan Wake 2. In an ironic twist, EA has also prepared a Dead Space remake launching just a few months after the spiritual successor The Callisto Protocol. That said, there were still some smaller developers out there that deserve some spotlight, and late in the year horror fans were suddenly gifted with Signalis, a stylish throwback to classic horror games that has been very well received.

Something that might be a bit of a coincidence this year was a number of people from the game industry sharing their insights with pivots into the likes of podcasts, and YouTube videos. Industry legend Hideo Kojima is starting his own podcast, while former employees from Nintendo of America, Kit and Krysta, launched their own podcast and shed some lights on the inner workings of Nintendo. Probably the most interesting of all though was Masahiro Sakurai, the man behind Kirby, Super Smash Bros. and Kid Icarus Uprising becoming a YouTuber as he has entered “semi-retirement.” His YouTube channel boasts surprisingly high production values as he offers up a variety of game development tips, tricks and insights delivered in entertaining, concise videos at no cost. That certainly wasn’t on my Bingo card for this year.

We can keep the positivity going strong here, as 2022 was a fairly good year for adaptations of games for the most part. While there were some panned ones, such as the Uncharted movie, the Netflix Resident Evil series, and the live-action Halo series, this was also a year that gave us some solid animated adaptations. Arcane was seen by many as a fantastic look into the world of League of Legends, with amazing animation and an emotional tale that had people excited for more in that game’s world. Netflix’s Cuphead animated show also received a warm reception from fans for paying tribute to classic animation and giving players the chance to see a different side of the quirky cartoon cast. Something that caught everyone off-guard was the runaway success that was Cyberpunk Edgerunners. While tying in with the CD Projekt Red video game, this also draws from THAT game’s inspiration, the Cyberpunk tabletop game. Animated by Trigger, Edgerunners had praise heaped upon it for the stylish animation, emotional gut punches in the story and embodying the style and flair of the cyberpunk genre even better than the game did. It was so successful it had a pretty large impact on the game’s sales as well. There was also the second Sonic movie…and speaking of…

So, Sonic has had it pretty rough for a while now, we can agree on that right? A punching bag to the gaming population at large, he hasn’t been seen in a positive light by anyone but the most diehard fans in quite some time, and yet 2022 seems like it might just be the start of a redemption arc for the blue blur. While the first movie was successful, the second movie in particular did quite well with a third movie already green lit, on top of a separate Knuckles series on the Paramount+ app. Elsewhere on the animation scene the Netflix show, Sonic Prime, has been mostly well-received for its energetic animation and interesting premise, though we only have a scant few episodes to judge it right now. The IDW comics have received praise for quite a while now, but the real test was the release of the first major Sonic game in years: Sonic Frontiers. While opinions are somewhat split, the overall consensus has been positive. Most consider the game a step in the right direction for the series in terms of tone and storytelling, the plot itself penned by IDW comic writer Ian Flynn. The open world…or rather “open zone” gameplay has mostly been well-received with particular praise given to Sonic’s control. The soundtrack also goes pretty hard too, just to give my own two cents. For the first time in a while, Sonic has a lot of positivity surrounding him and it’s great to see the underdog come out on top for once.

THE BIGGEST HITS AND MISSES OF 2022

If we’re talking underdogs though, indies are always struggling against the bigger dogs in the industry, so it was quite cathartic to see one of the more successful sleeper hits of the year come from one person. Luca Galante, also known as poncle, published Vampire Survivors in early access in late 2021 and the game truly blew up in 2022. A shoot ‘em up where players maneuver through waves of enemies as their character attacks automatically, the game boasted a roguelike design with random power ups and such strewn about to make every run of the game unique, alongside a consistent dopamine hit of new weapons, power ups, and synergies to continuously experiment with. While the overall presentation is a bit cheap, the game itself is quite cheap, with strong word of mouth allowing it to become of one of the best success stories of the year, inspiring a number of imitators in the short time it’s been out.

When people look back on 2022, there are quite a few games that managed to stand out in one way or another. Elden Ring certainly is among the biggest winners of the year with tons of acclaim and sales success, there are the big aforementioned Sony prestige games with Horizon and God of War, Nintendo’s three-hit combo of trilogies with Bayonetta, Splatoon and Xenoblade, on top of a few other notable games from smaller developers. Asobo Studio’s A Plague’s Tale: Requiem and Bluetail Studio’s Stray managed to garner quite a bit of attention. The former continues from the previous A Plague’s Tale’s brutal and unnerving rat-based horror and for Stray…well, who wouldn’t want to play as a cute cat in a robotic, post-apocalyptic setting? There’s honestly a huge amount of games that came out last year that deserve tons of attention. Beat ‘em ups got a fair share of play with River City Girls 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and Sifu. The former two build off of classic 2D beat ‘em ups and have some gorgeous pixel art, while Sifu embodies the style and flow of martial arts movies, with the added twist of your character aging with every death and giving players a hard limit to how many times they can die before having to start from scratch. I wish I could list every single notable release, but there’s only so much time I could use to spotlight them all.

Not every game is perfect, or for everyone, but a good many games this year got raked through the coals from fans and critics alike for a variety of reasons. Considering the ongoing allegations from Activision-Blizzard, not to mention the potential Microsoft buyout, is it any surprise that the release of Overwatch 2 would generate such controversy? For starters, many weren’t exactly on board with the game’s seemingly minor changes to aesthetics and the paltry amount of new heroes at launch. Overwatch 2 changed gears to a live-service model complete with a battle pass that forces players to grind to obscene amounts to unlock new heroes to play as, and at launch received flack over the requirement of a phone number for voice chat that actually locked out certain players if they weren’t on specific plans. The fact that the original game was absorbed into Overwatch 2 and is no longer playable also didn’t go over well. Of course that isn’t to say the game didn’t do well though, so it goes to show how even massive controversy can’t really keep people from their favorite games.

Similar flack was levied at Gotham Knights, a co-op action game set in the Batman universe that was lambasted by many for an overly repetitive, grindy design that was very likely going to follow in the footsteps of the Square Enix Avengers game that crashed and burned awhile back, though any live-service elements were stripped out of this one. The Saint’s Row reboot, however, not only got lambasted by longtime fans of the series, but the sales apparently weren’t all that impressive and developer Volition isn’t in the best straits at the moment. Despite riding high on the hype of being a true Dead Space spiritual successor, The Callisto Protocol was seen as a disappointment by survival horror fans for the game’s strange focus on melee combat, as well as a subpar PC release. Probably the most overtly reviled game this year, at least on social media, was High on Life, a first person shooter by Squach Games. While by itself a competent FPS with some neat combat and puzzles, for many the kiss of death was the heavy involvement from Justin Roiland. Even BEFORE all of the drama with Roiland’s sexual abuse scandal, many had grown tired of the same voice Roiland put on for many characters as well as the rambling, improv-heavy dialogue…though it still seemed to do quite well on Game Pass so…make of that what you will.

BAYONETTA BOYCOTTS, BROKEN BACKS AT TWITCH CON, AND CONTINUED CORPORATE KERFUFFLES

While Nintendo largely skates by with games that are, at worst, a bit disappointing, they managed to find themselves in quite a few controversies this year. While the release of Bayonetta 3 should have been a welcome one for longtime fans who could finally play the game after a lengthy wait from the first announcement, mere weeks before release Helena Taylor, the former voice of the titular character, took to Twitter and called for a boycott of the game. She alleged that she had been offered a mere $4000 for her voice work on the game and she had argued for a fair wage only to be rejected. While further investigation would show she wasn’t being entirely truthful, the debacle ended up making Bayonetta 3 a catalyst for extended talk about how voice actors are often undervalued by multiple industries. The game’s release itself generated some complaints levied at its ending as well, though nothing nearly as big as the VA controversy. Considering Platinum also launched Babylon’s Fall this year, a game that crashed and burned almost immediately after and will be shut down not long from now, it’s been an off year for them. Then there was the launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. You would think one of the most profitable franchises of all time would have something approaching quality control and yet the release of the latest generation of Pokémon games resulted in this game joining the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, and the GTA Trilogy in what is becoming a trend: releasing highly buggy, borderline broken games right at the end of the year. The game’s poor performance in the open world, alongside various visual and audio bugs made the rounds on social media, with many once again questioning why such a prolific series would allow games to release in such a state. Despite that, many felt the games were among the most fun in the franchise in a good long while, praising the open-world approach, which softened the blow somewhat.

Then, just as the year was about at its end, Nintendo once again drew the ire of the Super Smash Bros. competitive scene. After partnering with Panda Global last year, many had hoped this was the start of Nintendo working well with eSports and competitive Smash, but the cancellation of non-Panda events, including the Smash World Tour opened old wounds. The Panda CEO, Alan Bunney, would step down but that hasn’t stopped roughly 80% of Panda’s signed players from leaving the company in protest. Panda allegedly got Nintendo involved in closing these other events down, seemingly eyeing a monopoly and as it stands 2023 is likely to be a very rocky year for the Smash scene, and serves as a stern warning to others in the fighting game community about the dangers of working with corporations on their terms.

Outside of some games being of lower quality though, the industry at large, like anything else, still has some unsavory dealings that sprang up throughout the year. Admittedly the year was off to a good start, with Riot forced to pay up as a result of their sexual harassment case. Sadly, comeuppance like that wouldn’t exactly last. Hard to pick where to start here, really. Rooster Teeth, an entertainment company with roots in the gaming industry, is no stranger to controversy but in October of this year a former employee alleged mistreatment at the company on a number of grounds that Rooster Teeth itself acknowledged in a response, claiming that they would do better, though I suppose old habits die hard.

Twitch Con was the subject of some controversy during the event in October. A ball pit ended up being the site of multiple injuries by attendees, the foam bits used to fill it not being very deep and solid concrete found underneath. One attendee, Adriana Chechik, broke her back in two places, the tweet showing this going viral and putting eyes on Twitch Con’s lack of safety precautions. Seeing as Twitch also changed up the revenue sharing with creators, going from a 70/30 split to 50/50, they aren’t exactly gaining any fans at current.

Late last year to the surprise of many G4TV returned to television. A revival of the gaming-centered channel, featuring a number of new and old talents attempting to reclaim that magic from the early 2000s sadly closed its doors late this year. The news itself went out in a tweet that ended up being the first time many members of G4, such as Jirard the Completionist, would find out they were losing their job. While G4 was once a big deal in the gaming scene, I think this revival showcased just how much the landscape in gaming media and journalism has changed. As disappointing as it is to see the channel fail once again, at least you got Scott the Woz episodes on cable for about a year so…n-no that doesn’t really seem worth it at all, does it?

The man who is often credited as the creator of Sonic, Yuji Naka, ended up in the news several times this year, and in the process has lost much of his once lauded reputation. Following the disastrous release of Balan Wonderworld back in 2021, Naka made headlines as he addressed some behind the scenes drama regarding the game’s development. He claims he was shut out of development and his vision was not fully respected or realized with the game, laying the blame solely at the feet of Square Enix and Arzest, who assisted with development. However, later in the year he would be hit with not one but TWO different arrests over insider trading so…maybe he’s not exactly squeaky clean either.

(Photo credit to gamepressure.com)

Perhaps the most unfortunate bit of business this year has come from ZA/UM, the developers behind the acclaimed narrative game Disco Elysium. The ZA/UM Cultural Association, separate from the development studio, was disbanded last year and three of the leads behind Disco Elysium were ousted from the company. There have been accusations that the current leadership ousted them under false pretenses and as it stands now, the original creators of the Disco Elysium game are suing the company. Taking a game that was lauded for its iconic artwork and writing, a deeply satirical tale that took shots at politics of all kinds, and seeing unchecked corporate greed ousting the creative leads that gave that game the special sauce that led to such acclaim is saddening. At the moment it is unclear just how things might shake out with court proceedings and if any other accusations might be unearthed, but going into 2023 it isn’t exactly boding well for the in-development sequel.

On a somewhat lighter note, 2023 had some surprising leaks and resurfaced projects hit mainstream attention. An older version of the infamous Duke Nukem Forever was found, hot off the heels of a leaked copy of the cancelled Rayman 4. Considering how hard it can be to find these pieces of gaming history, if nothing else these are interesting finds. That said, there was an extremely substantial leak from Rockstar from the still in development Grand Theft Auto 6 game that garnered the most attention this year. It just might be the biggest leak of a high profile game at the moment, and quite a lot of discussions stemmed from it. Some complained about having a female lead, others criticized the game’s visuals…despite said game not having a set release and judging it solely off of footage from in-development builds that are not meant for the public eye. If nothing else, it likely made things even more difficult for the developers and someone likely lost their job from this if nothing else. With remote working becoming a bit more of a standard as the pandemic lingers on, it’s likely that proper security practices will have to be updated to adapt to the new development environment.

IN CONCLUSION

Whew! A lot can happen in a year, who would have guessed?! It’s a lot of work combing through all kinds of articles, podcasts and social media posts as I curate topics for discussion but I find it a labor of love for this industry and the games that are birthed from it. Remembering the big news stories of the year, the biggest games and the most notable flops…it all helps to put things more into perspective. Sometimes you can see new stories and the biggest titles of the year coming far in advance. Elden Ring was always going to be big, for example. But then there are the surprises of the year: Vampire Survivors coming from out of nowhere and garnering huge success, for one. Sonic’s redemption arc isn’t something I was counting on this year but it’s a welcome surprise nonetheless. While a LOT of bad can still be found in this industry, it’s important to take that alongside the triumphs. Gaming has really never been bigger than it is now. The Game Awards accrues more viewers than the Oscars, and while it’s been off to a slow start, a big shiny console generation is really starting to kick off. We have big games to look forward to, and plenty of surprises are surely in store. I try to stay positive and while I ended on a bit of a downer this year (again), it’s clear the industry will continue to move forward. 2022 was a solid year with some really big games, and 2023 is shaping up to surpass it in some regards with some highly anticipated titles. We have the next Zelda and Final Fantasy titles to look forward to, Starfield might actually exist and get to be a thing, and that’s just the stuff we already know about! I have no doubt there’s controversies and seedy dealings that will be brought to light this year, like any other year, but the fact that more noise is being made about better work environments at all is comforting to me. People aren’t just sitting down and taking it, and ultimately we all continue to move forward, doing our best to ensure tomorrow is a bit better than the day before. Let’s hope 2023 can be a better year.

-B

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