To Share and To Care

There's an expression out there that essentially states that things that are worth to be shared are worth to be cared as well. I've thought about it, and that seems to be perfectly applicable to how the Pokémon games are played over these years. This includes the games that started the phenomenon and the franchise, to the more modern games that maintain its popularity and even redefine it. It's somewhat of a fascinating thing to discuss.

During the early years of Pokémon, the experience of playing the games - mostly the main series games, if anything - could be considered to be individualistic. One would have to find the right people to play with, and even then one would still be relatively isolated. Today, with the rise of VGC and tournament play, one can stand to be more connected with others - as in, to share gameplay and care about that of others. Certain team competitions can also practically necessitate "sharing and caring" with others in the same team and beyond. This transformation is rather remarkable.

Nowadays, there are the likes of Pokémon Go and Unite, which can be or is necessarily multiplayer. Higher-level raids in the former demand the participation of others in most cases, and the latter is a fixed-team gameplay that demands intense cooperation among team members to accomplish much of anything. In other words, everyone involved ought to share and care for mutual success. These are rather unprecedented for a franchise whose origins are simple one-on-one combat.

As part of what I consider the "four pillars" of Pokémon, I include trading and friendship; naturally, these would be fodder for sharing and caring. One would have to be open to others  - to demonstrate care - in order to link with them as friends and/or to make trades with them. The result would be an outlet of sharing that leads to further impressions of care. These pillars, of course, would naturally occur for those who are seeking to be able to give their surpluses to those with deficits.

With over a quarter-century having passed, Pokémon is surely to expand now and later on, which also applies equally well to the way that the games are played. Its players, who are called Trainers in parlance, essentially are becoming or have become receptive to sharing and caring throughout all these years. That makes them and the franchise in general, worthy of enjoyment each time and any time.

(There's something else that can be shared and cared, and that would be food - specifically, pie. So, Happy Pi Day.)

One year ago: Berry Cuisine

Two years ago: Pokémon Anime Song Remixes?

Three years ago: Profits on the Side

Four years ago: It's Pi Day!

Five years ago: Pokémon and Puzzle Games