Ever since Pokemon Red and Blue/Green released worldwide in 1998, the franchise has taken the world by storm. By now Pikachu has become a household name and most gamers, if not most people, have played one of the juggernaut’s handheld titles. With the release of Pokemon Go in 2016, the fervor for the Pokemon brand re-ignited and became relevant to a whole new generation. With Pokemon’s massive multi-media success and continued relevance in pop culture, Pokemon shouldn’t have any problem becoming a competetive eSport in the current day and age. So why is does it struggle to get the kind of views that other eSports have?
The core pillars of the Pokemon games have always been to catch, train, and battle the pocket monsters against one another. Game Freak has always made the core games of the series for Nintendo handheld devices, in the spirit of people taking their adventure on the go. The idea of meeting people and either trading or battling their Pokemon against one another has remained a staple for the design of the games. Over the years this has become easier than ever, with Game Freak implementing internet functionality and making trading and battling people from across the world convenient and quick. There have been a number of quality-of-life improvements added into their latest game that any long-time competitive battler would appreciate.
Pokemon Sun/Moon released in the same year as Pokemon Go and it wouldn’t be much of a stretch that the mobile game’s success helped Sun/Moon’s sales figures. It became the third best-selling game on the Nintendo 3DS console and many regarded it as a second wind for the 5 year old console. While these sales are definitely nothing to scoff at, the argument could be made that the hardware limited the potential of the game. It was clear that even the New 3DS (essentially a slightly more powerful 3DS) struggled to run the newest game, with frame drops being common anytime there were more than just two Pokemon on the screen. This last point is especially poignant when the competitive game mode for Pokemon is double-battles. This has an impact on how enjoyable of a game it is to watch, which in eSports, can be a big deal.
There are other issues with the game truly taking off in the eSports scene. While there is an extensive tournament system in place, the events aren’t always streamed for viewers. Even when they are, the competitions aren’t advertised enough to gain huge views. Those with their ear to the ground can keep up, but the more casual eSports viewer might not even realize that Pokemon has a World Championship. Of course, no reason compares to the biggest hurdle the game faces.
The bottom line is that Game Freak and the Pokemon Company don’t really care about making Pokemon into a major eSport, and they don’t really have much incentive either. The Pokemon brand makes plenty of money off of their trading cards, video games, and merchandise. Pumping more funding into the game’s competitive scene is quite a bit of risk for not a lot of reward. The game would have to compete with giants like League of Legends, Dota, and Hearthstone.
That being said, the game does have a healthy competitive scene. The Pokemon Company hosts world-wide tournaments for both video game and the card game competitors to partake in. Each tournament also has divisions for Juniors (11 years of age and below), Seniors (between the ages of 12 and 15) and Masters ( ages 16 and older). Each champion and the runner-ups receive a sizable sum of money in either cash or in the form of a scholarship. The tournament is designed to cater to those passionate about the game, regardless of age. Many competitors in the tournaments describe it as a highly rewarding experience where kids and young-adults alike make friends from across the globe. So while the game may never reach the levels of professional League of Legends or Dota, it certainly has its own niche within eSports. Even if massive fame-and-fortune don’t await those who put their blood, sweat and tears into the game, it will always be awesome and rewarding to finally become the very best. Like no one ever was.
Gaming
Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.46 introduces an exciting addition to the roster of exclusive cars available in the PS5 and PS4 racing game
Gran Turismo 7 has just received an exciting update to version 1.46 on both PS5 and PS4. This latest update introduces a unique addition to the game: the Škoda Vision Gran Turismo, a car that you won’t come across in any other game. Škoda makes its debut in the franchise with a visionary study of a single-seater, all-electric racing concept car, designed exclusively for the Polyphony Digital racer.
Once you’ve downloaded update 1.46, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive not one but two additional cars: the AFEELA Prototype 2024 and the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe ’70. Get ready for an exhilarating ride! Watch as they take to the track in the video above.
Additionally, the update introduces a new menu for players to tackle in the GT Café. At Collector Level 38, players have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Ferrari 12-cylinder engines, gaining knowledge and expanding their collection. In World Circuits, players can look forward to exciting new events such as the Japanese Clubman Cup 550, the American FR Challenge 550, and the Vision Gran Turismo Trophy. For all the avid fans of Photo Mode, there’s an exciting opportunity to explore the captivating city of San Diego in a brand new Scape.
What are your thoughts on the latest update for Gran Turismo 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Gaming
ReFantazio Takes a Different Approach to Romance, Setting Itself Apart from the Persona Games
Atlus’ highly anticipated RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, appears to incorporate familiar systems reminiscent of the developer’s acclaimed Persona series. The game features turn-based battles that heavily rely on exploiting enemy weaknesses. Additionally, players have the ability to summon warrior spirits during combat. However, the most significant aspect of this game, which will be discussed in this article, is the bonding system. Through this system, players can spend time with important characters and gain deeper insights into their personalities and stories.
In contrast to the Persona games, the bonding system ends at that point. Unfortunately, players will be unable to pursue romantic relationships with their beloved waifus, which may come as a disappointment to those who have developed strong feelings for Hulkenberg, the party’s charismatic red-haired elven knight.
According to Siliconera, the absence of romance came up during a recent question and answer session. Atlus emphasized the continued opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your allies while also introducing additional narratives through substories. In addition, familiarizing yourself with the supporting characters will grant you access to new archetypes, which serve as the game’s character classes.
In the Persona games, romance is not obligatory; rather, it serves as a means to customize your playthrough. However, it is quite unexpected that Metaphor has chosen not to pursue such a venture, considering the significant amount of discussion it typically generates!
Were you anticipating any romantic elements in Metaphor? If you’re not satisfied with your pre-order, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gaming
Shift Up unveils the intriguing details behind the physical packaging of Stellar Blade for the PS5
It appears that many
are eagerly anticipating the launch of the highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, Stellar Blade. Shift Up, the developer, has shared a lengthy video showcasing the “secrets” found in the physical box of the game for PS5. From what we can gather, these secrets include a reversible cover/dust jacket and a download code for cosmetic items.
We must clarify that while we do appreciate the variant cover, it may be more appealing than the game’s standard art. However, it is not something we would typically classify as a “secret.”. However, what’s interesting is that Shift Up has confirmed through the comments section that this will be the case in all regions. Additionally, the visually striking action RPG will remain uncensored worldwide.
「Stellar Blade」 Physical Package Secrets⚠️#StellarBlade #PS5 #Disc pic.twitter.com/WQSzKUSDQ4
— StellarBlade (@StellarBlade) April 22, 2024
It’s refreshing to witness a developer going the extra mile for physical collectors, and it’s evident that the developer is determined to leave a favorable mark in the console realm. Stellar Blade is set to make its highly anticipated debut this Friday, April 26th, exclusively on the PS5.
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