Giving Pokémon Gifts... with Santa Included

Prof. Oak: I'm giving Santa a Pikachu this Christmas

Ash: Wow! Just like the one you gave to me?

Prof. Oak: That's right-

I'll hide it in my stocking

And he'll find it rather shocking

Ash: Ha ha ha!

Prof. Oak: 'Cause giving gifts to Santa's quite a novelty...

-- "I'm Giving Santa a Pikachu This Christmas", from Pokémon Christmas Bash

As I brought up last year (see below), the giving of gifts on Christmas is rooted in part thanks to a certain poem and otherwise by tradition. Considering what is involved, there is also the party of a certain "big red guy" (also see below, two years ago) in play as the giver. But what if the tables were turned, and the giver also becomes the given? This song from the Pokémon Christmas Bash album attempts to shed light on that matter, certainly with a Pokémon perspective.

The song is mostly a duet of Ash and Professor Oak, voiced by the then-current talents of Veronica Taylor and Stan Hart, with some background vocals thrown in. Its verses all begin with the phrase that makes up the title of this song, leading both characters to discuss what makes Pikachu such a wonder and how that wonder might just assist the "big red guy". And as noted way back near the beginning of this blog, it has a karaoke version, one of the only two tracks on the album with this property.

Now, for that perspective, the statement of Professor Oak as above captures what might be the sentiments of most people, that it is a "novelty" or unusual thing to give a gift to the "big red guy". But in the vein of Pokémon, it may be not all that strange if Pokémon and all people related to it (including fans) want to "give back" somehow to the figure, and that leads to the conception of the song. After all, Pokémon gifts are still somehow involved on the occasion of the holiday.

Of course, as further noted in the preceding post, certain people consider the song as being "kooky" or even "cheesy", an oddity among today's Christmas songs and classics. Still, I'm inclined to think that those who have such considerations haven't embraced the perspective presented by the song or Pokémon elements, or maybe even both. Beyond this apparent consideration, the song may just make both Pokémon fans and people celebrating this occasion think about what it all means.

Regardless of certain perspectives, gifts will always be given somehow on this particular occasion, whether from a certain "big red guy" or from one another. As noted, some of those gifts might just pertain to Pokémon, particularly among those in the know. And to get more people in the know, it might just be necessary to do something as wild and radical as suggested by Ash and Professor Oak in this song to make the (Pokémon) world more cheery and bright, for both a "big red guy" and everyone.

I'm coming down to the wire of songs that I can pull from this album for discussion - and in fact, there are two left, which should fill the voids in the next two years, assuming that I can still keep up discussions for that long. To close the current discussion, however, it's fitting to quote the final set of lyrics from this song to make things come together for this particular occasion. With that, gift giving for everyone on the occasion may just become something that is inherently pertinent. So...

Prof. Oak: I'm giving Santa a Pikachu this Christmas

It's just the perfect thing to do

Ash: And as his sleigh pulls out of sight

We'll hear him calling through the night

All: With a ho-ho-ho

And a "Merry Christmas!"

Pi-ka-chu...

One year ago: The Pokémon Intrigue Before Christmas

Two years ago: It's Gotta Be... A Big and Red Guy

Three years ago: The Mistletoe Dangled Over...

Four years ago: Christmas Song, Really

Five years ago: Let's Go Play with Buddies

Six years ago: Keeping Homes in Hearts

Seven years ago: Cool Wintry Song

Quickies: Delivering Punches and Kicks

Within a short time, I'm going to have to be delivering my best at something important - not related to Pokémon, but it might very well open the doors for other Pokémon ventures. That said, the process of delivery might involve throwing some kicks and punches just like some martial arts athletes... or the Pokémon that resemble them in their forms and capacity. With that, I thought about discussing about these punches and kicks, their delivery or throw, and how they all pertain to the current situation that I briefly mentioned above.

Many moves that Pokémon can use do indicate that they're punching and kicking moves by virtue of them having the word in their moves, and they're delivered as such, with modification by other words that the moves might have (as with Mega Punch, Blaze Kick, and so on). Yet even in and with that sense, they are literal punches and kicks, and they're the moves that strike as they need to strike. The Pokémon that use them may also be of the literal (humanoid) sort, though their appearances have no bearing on their capacity for these moves.

Other moves, meanwhile, are less literally indicative of kicking or punching, but they could still be delivered in much the same manner. In this category, Aura Sphere (as a "punch") comes to mind as delivered by arguably its most famous user Lucario, though as delivered by Togekiss, it might still be indicative of that, even if just a little. Then there's the recent Triple Axel move, a "kick" delivered by a figure skating technique regardless of whoever executes the move. It may not take too much perceptive interpretation to consider these "punches" and "kicks".

It won't be long now before I'm going to start to make that delivery that's likely going to involve a bit of punching and kicking - albeit in less literal forms - but just thinking about punching and kicking as it applies to Pokémon species and the related moves that they use seems to give me a general idea of what to do with that delivery of mine. That said, it seems that other Pokémon species will continue to be delivering punches and kicks in our own, individual styles in whatever situations or battles we might be involved in.

One year ago: Cosplay: CHoCoDays 2023 - 10th Anniversary

Two years ago: Café Remix: Pay to Win?

Three years ago: 2021 Pokémon Center Merchandise Highlights

Four years ago: Playing Pokémon on the Quick

Five years ago: December for Love

Six years ago: Quick Ball Tin and Pokémon Coin

Seven years ago: Perspective

Pokémon Go Community Day Weekend, 12/21/2024 and 12/22/2024

Me: So, catching Pokémon and meeting people obviously means Community Day.

Goh: Right, it's the recap edition, like the one we talked about two years ago.

Me: Indeed it is. It could be a festive celebration for some, or it could be a "last chance" thing for others.

Ash: All the Pokémon from this year were interesting!

Pikachu: Pi pika! ["True that!"]

Me: So they were - we had Rowlet, Chansey, Litten, Bellsprout, Bounsweet, and Goomy from January to June, and Tynamo, Popplio, Ponyta (Kanto and Galarian), Sewaddle, and Mankey from July to November. They started appearing in the wild from 9 AM yesterday to 9 PM today, and during the usual main hours (2 AM to 5 PM), both sets appeared more often. New this year, there were two Collection Challenges, one for each set, for everyone to catch and complete.

Ash: I got them both!

Me: I know you did. Great work. Oh, and just like last year, during the last 10 minutes of each hour during main hours, the ones from Community Day Classic this year (Porygon, Bagon, Cyndaquil, and Beldum) also appeared more often. 

Ash: I got them too - just what you and I needed.

Goh: Nice. That is an improvement from back then.

Ash: I sometimes found the ones from last year too.

Me: Sure. You must have found them - Chespin, Noibat, Slowpoke and Galarian Slowpoke, Togetic, Fennekin, Axew, Poliwag, Froakie, Grubbin, Timburr, and Wooper (Johto and Paldean) - mostly by hatching 2 km Eggs.

Ash: And they all had their special moves if I evolved them.

Goh: Which you did, hopefully.

Ash: Yeah, for a few that our friend and I got outside Community Day. But it was mostly complete other than that.

Goh: You two did good work. 

Me: Well, we try our best. And, let's see... oh yes, there were all the usual bonuses (double XP, Stardust, Candy, and Candy XL chance, plus halved hatching distance, and extended Lure Modules and Incense) during the main hours, which you should have taken advantage of. There had to be discounted trades and extra Special Trades across the entire weekend too.

Ash: Not all, but as many as I could.

Me: That's fine. Then, for Research, you might have grabbed Unova Stones and a Rainy Lure Module for evolution to Eelektross and Goodra from timed tasks, and you found more Pokémon from this year from field tasks.

Ash: But there were other tasks too! 

Goh: What's the intel on this?

Me: Oh, yes! There were other timed tasks and some rare field tasks for Pokémon of this year's editions with special card images, something else new this year... but the timed tasks are completed each day, so I'll have to take care the rest of this myself. At least you might have found a few of the rare field tasks.

Ash: I did. You might need to work on them for me. 

Me: Sure enough. And the usual Special Research ("December Community Day 2024") has more Pokémon of this year's editions with special card images and other items... but I wound up not getting it because I'm a little pushed.

Goh: Aww.

Ash: That's fine! I don't think we need many more than we need.

Me: Finally, all the stickers from this year came back, there might have been a few showcases, and there were shop bundles.

Pikachu: Pi pika... ["That's a lot..."]

Goh: Doesn't it seem like this is all a lot to take in?

Me: It does, doesn't it. But then Community Day is now a lot of things itself.

Ash: Like the meetups you sent me to. 

Me: Sure, the one that was far away - the side agenda from ChibiCon yesterday - and the nearer one today in lieu of said convention.

Ash: I really liked the faraway one! The people were so friendly and nice. 

Goh: You might just meet them more often.

Me: Given they're far away, actually not very often, but if push comes to shove, I think we may need to make it happen.

Ash: The near one was OK, but good to meet our friend's old friends.

Goh: But of course.

Me: I think this one will happen one way or another, even if things happen. 

Goh: They might happen more often than you think?

Me: Outside of Community Day once a month (two if there's also a Classic edition), Pokémon (Go) things will happen, but at least there's a guarantee of regularity for Community Day.

Ash: I hope we can always have fun with it! 

Goh: A celebration - without it being too much of a "last chance", like you said.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Of course."]

Me: All things considered, many things are many - especially for Community Day - but at least a few can still be gotten.

One year ago: Performance Critique: Toys & Hobbies Week 2023 Anisong

Two years ago: Mixing In and Out of GBL

Three years ago: Getting in the Mood with Pikachu

Four years ago: Muscle Memory and Pokémon Games

Five years ago: Cosplay: Chibi Daisuki! Japan Fest 2019

Six years ago: A Pikachu Hand Puppet

Seven years ago: I Claimed My Team

Cosplay: ChibiCon 5 x ICGP Regionals 2024-2025

Me: OK, this is going to be one strange weekend, and it starts with this convention.

Goh: You're telling us! Another second one in a year. 

Ash: And didn't they already do ICGP?

Me: They did, but that was for this year's competition - qualifications and all. This one is for next year's, and since they're planning on doing it early, it bleeds into this year.

Ash: OK, that makes sense.

Goh: And that's why we have it again.

Me: Indeed. So, most of this is going to be the same as last time this year. And we're not going to focus on that too much.

Ash: Er... Yeah. The booths and stage were like last time! And in the same place too.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu pi. ["Exactly like that."]

Goh: Well, there you go.

Me: Instead, going back to the strange things, I need you to go off to a mall farther away to meet a few people and catch a lot of Pokémon... and get other things.

Ash: Sure. I know what you want me to do.

Me: But... we'll save all those details for tomorrow, along with things outside the convention. After that, you are of course coming back there.

Goh: Well, I guess Ash will miss a few things by doing so. 

Ash: Yeah - one of them is the character parade, our friend told me. 

Goh: Oh, I'm sorry.

Me: Yeah, I regret that too. But for simplicity's sake, it had to be done.

Goh: I'm looking at the schedule, though, and I don't think Ash will miss much of the entertainment if he's already seen them some place else.

Ash: I have, so I guess you're right. 

Pikachu: Pika. ["Sure."]

Me: Absolutely, so that's a thing. Now, the next strange things are... you getting in for free and me needing you to supply your formal outfit instead of a Trainer outfit.

Goh: Free entry? Formal outfit?? Of course - "Weeb's Choice Awards"!

Ash: Yeah, just like last year.

Me: Same nomination, same category, the whole nine yards.

Goh: So, this convention is substituting for the other one.

Me: Looks like it. And it looks like we're going to have either one at this time of year if this is going to be an annual thing. 

Goh: So, how'd things go?

Ash: Um... not so hot. I didn't win it this time. 

Goh: Aww. Sorry about that.

Pikachu: Pi... ["Aww..."]

Me: Actually, I should have suspected this. Some of my friends told me that the local community of characters would be in full force for this edition of the awards since they took it lightly last time.

Ash: You know, I think so! I saw the winner celebrating with them. 

Goh: I think we can believe they're one and the same.

Me: I do believe that could be, in fact, the case. 

Goh: There must have been a bright spot, though.

Ash: I got to sing "Mezase Pokémon Master" with the band who played during the awards!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Yeah!"]

Goh: Oh? And would this be a band we know? 

Ash: It's the "new" Otaku Band! 

Me: Awesome! That's a pretty good "consolation" prize, I'd say.

Ash: That's not all - I got "honorable mention" for being second place in the voting. It was how the one who won, well... won.

Goh: Wait, was this the case last year too?

Me: I can confirm it was. So you know that's the "fun" aspect.

Goh: And I guess that was all for the convention.

Me: Not quite. As you know, this is a two-day convention, and this is the first day; more of the same happens tomorrow on the second day - including the ICGP part. But Ash can't partake in any of that. 

Goh: Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that.

Ash: I guess that's not so strange. But I also met one of your Pokémon friends and caught Pokémon and battled cards together.

Me: Hey, that's strange, but in a good way. So altogether, this day alone was filled with strangeness.

Goh: I see what you mean.

Ash: And the catching Pokémon part too? 

Pikachu: Chu? ["Hmm?"]

Me: For that, if you're uninitiated, then it would be strange, but if not, then it would be familiar. Regardless, all of that is for tomorrow - hopefully it won't be so strange.

One year ago: Reclaiming Lifelong Truths

Two years ago: My New Current Pokémon Unite Role Preferences

Three years ago: Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Uptake

Four years ago: What If Pokémon Didn't Exist?

Five years ago: New Innovation, New Problems

Six years ago: Dreaming Big, Making an Impact

Seven years ago: Friend Faves

Pokémon Through the Ages: The Expansive Era

Two "eras" down, two more to go for this month's "four fours" on the topic. As I've hinted, the previous era paved a path for Pokémon games to become greater in number and variety, which would be the key happening of this "era". Fittingly, I've dubbed it as the "Expansive Era" for that key happening, something that is simultaneously like and unlike that of previous "eras" - although the one that comes after this one (to be detailed last) might have another answer to this and previous ones. Anyway, the plot thickens.

Representative of this "era" are the fifth, sixth, and seventh generations and their respective main series games. The first of these is known for resembling an "attempted reboot" of sorts, and the latter two are known to be relatively fractional in the number of new species compared to previous ones, and for that reason I take them together in their "expansive" role in this "era". Though restrained in the latter two, the attempt to expand the world of Pokémon with these games is still something remarkable.

As for expansions in other ways, the most significant one from this "era" is Pokémon Go, as a venture of the franchise beyond its traditional console game foray. It's still successful even today, even with all its ups and downs. Other efforts to expand in this manner were also up and down and not necessarily successful, but they still helped to make this "era" what it is. This also goes for the games beyond the main series on consoles at that time, which all constitute the wonder that is its expansive power.

Nonetheless, the "expansive" quality of this era is also represented by its timespan, given the generations above, but that quality also goes for all the games that Pokémon conceived during the time, including with respect to platform and by extension fan base. It was a natural thing to expand, like in previous "eras", but the process was quite unlike what transpired before. The expanded state of Pokémon today has a lot to thank from the contributions of this "era" in addition to all the other ones I've discussed.

One year ago: Let's Talk About When Money Talks

Two years ago: The Contribution and the Results

Three years ago: Merchandise over Games?

Four years ago: Pokémon Go: Tap... Tap... Tappity-Tap...

Five years ago: Sitting Pikachu Keychain

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 12/20/2018

Seven years ago: Movie Manga!

TCGP: Expanding into the Mythical Island

Fans of the Pokémon TCG who play on the Pocket platform now have something new to handle with their pack-opening hands. Until recently, players were only able to deal with one expansion (albeit divided into three sub-expansions) in the game and all the cards obtained from that. Now, the game has a second expansion - a little one, but it's an expansion nonetheless - and it's called Mythical Island, a title that suggests quite a few of its properties.

This "mini" expansion is only about one-third in size compared to the only other present expansion, Genetic Apex, but its cards are no less enthralling than that first expansion. Still, the game dubs it as a "Themed Booster Pack" while fitting it with similar missions for card collection, deck creation, and theme compilation. The card wrapper has a shade of turquoise, indicating the expansion's verdant nature, and it also features the Mythical Pokémon of Mew, exactly indicating its highlight aspect.

Yet, the Mythical Pokémon that may just "steal the stage" for this expansion is Celebi, as it has an immersive card and an apparently vicious combo with another Pokémon in the expansion. Also "stealing the stage" for this expansion are a few familiar Trainer faces that are found as Supporter cards, one of which has a themed deck mission and list of his own with Pidgeot (that's a very big clue). Overall, while the new cards are fewer in number, their surprises are something to watch out for in battle.

Many players are already eager to obtain cards for this new expansion, especially for the two Mythical Pokémon already mentioned and the high-rarity cards, including the immersive card as above. Battle gameplay is also changing due to this effort, although it seems that players will face similar challenges as before with the Genetic Apex expansion - something that some are becoming fond of and others are becoming less so about. The expansion's true nature might just already be known at this point.

Like the physical paper version of the TCG, there's always a bit of excitement when a new expansion of some kind drops, and for TCGP, that first moment after its initial launch is here with the Mythical Island expansion. With it, TCGP is now really starting to give players, both prospective and entrenched, a lot of things to work on, which will remain true with further expansions, starting with this first addition and stop of an island with Mythical wonder.

One year ago: The TCGL Experience... From My End

Two years ago: Scarlet and Violet Uptake

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Weekend, 12/18/2021 and 12/19/2021

Four years ago: What It Takes to Contribute

Five years ago: Creations Without Drama: Cosplay Teaser for 12/22/2019

Six years ago: The Four Pillars of Pokémon

Seven years ago: Nostalgic Returns

Make Like Pokémon Leaves and...

Some Pokémon moves of the Grass type are known to feature leaves, a commonly recognized botanical element that is also its own type designator in the TCG realm. Besides the Pokémon delivering the attacks using these moves, it may be recognized that these Pokémon leaves have a "force" of their own that is just as intense and wild as the Pokémon. I thought of gathering up a few of these moves and attacks and identify their "forces" that make them so, while taking inspiration from them for other life purposes.

Many will surely recognize Razor Leaf as one of these attacks or moves, and by its name, it certainly has a cutting "force" that slices into other Pokémon. Meanwhile, there is the attack or move of Leaf Storm, which implies a "force" of drowning other Pokémon, just like falling water from an intense real storm. These attacks or moves can be considered to have the aspect of strength about them, showing off an inherent power that is only matched by the realistic things they allude to and resemble.

Then there are the attacks or moves of Magical Leaf and Leafage, the latter of these being more recently recognized. Their "forces", respectively, are the colors and styles with which the leaves might strike an opposing Pokémon; as such, they might be taken to represent an aspect of "wonderment" or beauty about them. The aspect, as presented by the attacks and moves as they are executed, bring out a sense of fanciness and playfulness, in addition to them dealing damage as is expected of any attack or move.

Pokémon have many fascinating moves, and the ones with "Leaf" in them are of no exception. They're of diverse names (aside from the "Leaf" part), and while they play off and use the same botanical element, they also play off of other aspects and show off unique "forces" in their execution. It could then be said that if one wanted to make themselves like these Pokémon leaves, that would be a prompt for them to demonstrate something that's innately and uniquely themselves as these "leaves" are wont to do.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies: Extras and All

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Weekend, 12/17/2022 and 12/18/2022

Three years ago: Let's Talk About Making Teams Work

Four years ago: "Seasonal" or "Occasional" Gamers

Five years ago: A Cosplay Departure

Six years ago: Screenplay Writing

Seven years ago: Good (Life)Times, Again

On Free and Paid Mission Tracks in Pokémon Unite

A current trend in many mobile (or mobile-adapted) games that have certain missions to be completed is the inclusion of two "tracks" that keep progress of completed ones: one free that anyone can complete, and one paid or "premium" that requires payment by purchasing something with real money. In Café Remix, the Monthly Goals is actually an example of this, keeping track of how many Stars are earned during that time. Now, however, I'd like to discuss another Pokémon game for which this pertains, as Pokémon Unite.

Some events in the game have begun to include this two-track framework. for which progress is made and kept track by points gained from completing certain event missions, of both daily and overall kinds. The free track is openly accessible as expected, while the paid track is only accessible if a player exchanges Aeos Gems for it, which of course means having purchased these in the first place. This is in addition to and separate from any expenses made for the Battle Pass, which incidentally has a relation to be explained shortly.

The rewards in the tracks are of the usual sort, but the paid track is likely to contain more Aeos Coins, and it also has the special reward, being a Trainer fashion set (of which the free track has only a rental). One can also exchange Aeos Gems instead of completing missions for points ... but this should be a last-resort action - and one done close to the end of the event - as it is much preferable, a little easier, and more affordable to collect points by playing regularly. Yet it's still there as an option regardless for those who don't.

Perhaps in light of this, the Battle Pass itself has been slightly reworked. Free and paid rewards are no longer indicated on separate levels, and they are now indicated in the two-track manner at the same level - the paid track rewards obviously requiring its purchase. The maximum level is also now 150, and no points are earned after this. Apart from that, the Battle Pass remains similar to previous iterations - involving the completion of certain tasks over time periods and earning of points for them - with similar rewards.

It's a matter of fact that as things develop, they also begin to standardize, and the current trend of free and paid mission tracks in (mobile) games is an example of that. The example applies very much and very well to Pokémon Unite, which have some mission elements that are standardizing around this development. What is also standard and very much needed is the efforts that players will have to put in for them, although the paid elements do provide very nice incentives indeed - and visible ones in this case.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Weekend, 12/16/2023 and 12/17/2023

Two years ago: Cosplay: IR X'Mas + Cosplay Party

Three years ago: Pokémon Lectures?

Four years ago: Quibbles with Candy XL

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Weekend, 12/14/2019 and 12/15/2019

Six years ago: Raid Dramas

Seven years ago: Hoenn Pokémon Are Go!

My Most Frequent Flops in Café Remix

I've had a good deal of success in Pokémon Café Remix up to this point, but that didn't come easily. More to the point, I've found myself making a few errors or "flops" from time to time that affect my gameplay in certain ways. I've identified three of the most frequent ones I made, and I thought I'd make a discussion about them in order to provide a bit of perspective on them, for me and other people who play the game.

One of my most frequent "flops" is having a chain of Pokémon icons stuck in a certain place, whether behind a wall or along certain gimmicks. If that happens, there is a chance that I cannot continue the chain, as the Pokémon icon leading the chain actually has a limited reach in this case and it may not be enough to hook another icon. It's a little frustrating when that happens, and the only hope is that it doesn't happen even more frequently.

Next, sometimes my finger slides off or otherwise inadvertently loses contact with the screen, thus ending whatever chain I might have already started. Since I play on my Nintendo Switch Lite, this might be attributable to the small size of its screen and/or the fact that it has no bezel to keep my finger on it. If I played the smart device version, things could be a different story... or it might be all the same, depending on the circumstances.

Besides the "flop" of unintended grabs that I had earlier described in a "woes" post, which is still applicable even now, there is also the slightly related "flop" of not being able to aim some of the icons correctly, like Pokémon icons through a gap or skill or megaphone icons at certain gimmicks. Sometimes it seems a certain precision is needed to avoid this "flop", which I might or might not have depending on the times or moods of the day when I play.

A lot of things in Café Remix depend on successful chaining and/or aiming of different icons, and those many things are also affected by errors or "flops" that players make. Certainly, by the above, I'm not an exception to the phenomenon, and it's all I can do to avoid any or all of these "flops" while I play. That may not always happen, but what can always happen is a measure of success from what happens in the puzzles.

One year ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu Mini Event III

Two years ago: Performance Critique: CHoCoDays 2022 Fun Karaoke Challenge

Three years ago: Salim Group and Pokémon

Four years ago: Perking up Holidays, Pokémon Style

Five years ago: PvP: After One Year

Six years ago: Pokémon Asia McDonald's Happy Meal Toys, Waves 3 and 4

Seven years ago: Balanced Systems Stimulate Civilization

Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu 2nd Anniversary

Me: Speaking of making things work.

Ash: The weekend's not over!

Me: No, it isn't. And it makes a busy weekend even busier too - but of course, more on that later.

Goh: Bocchi Noizu, huh. And it's the anniversary, so it follows on the one from last year.

Me: Sure - and that goes for why Ash is here... although it's just for singing this time. 

Ash: Yup. And today I'm singing...

Me: I'm in a true Pokémon mood, so I want you to sing all Pokémon songs today. One of them is a bit of a special one, especially for us and a lot of things about Pokémon.

Ash: Ahh... I think I "gotcha"!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Yup!"]

Me: Yup, also known as "Acacia". But, um... we need a bit of help for this one and I still quite haven't gotten the hang of it. So here's a "cue card" to help us both.

Ash: That's OK. The other day I saw a singer using a "cue card" too, so we can use it for now.

Goh: I guess as long as it isn't a competition, it's fine.

Me: Eventually, I do want us to be able to sing this completely independently - as Goh said, for a possible competition - and hopefully that can be sooner instead of later.

Goh: And the other, for Ash? 

Ash: Well, I think this time can use something hopeful, looking at the sky... you get what I mean.

Me: OK, "Soko ni Sora ga Aru Kara" it is. Good choice - and one that we've already gotten the hang of.

Goh: How'd those performances go?

Ash: They were fine. I think we can do more with "Acacia" to make it "gotcha", but the sky song is definitely ready for a competition again.

Me: Something to think about.

Ash: Also, the people watching were distracted a bit - maybe because someone fainted earlier - and the sound was a bit low.

Goh: Oh no! Both are real problems, but the person is the biggest one. 

Ash: We dealt with them. 

Pikachu: Chuu... [sighing]

Me: Hopefully next time these problems won't happen.

Goh: And, well... since Ash performed, I guess he wasn't in the character parade, if there was one.

Ash: There was. But yeah, the singing is good enough - for a little extra for us.

Me: Nice. I can always use it.

Goh: I'm sure you can. 

Me: OK, besides Ash being a part of the entertainment for this one, there had to be the usual "other" entertainment - were there?

Ash: Yup, there was - singing (besides me) and dancing, plus a pair of local idols, karaoke, community games, and a giveaway.

Goh: Oh, neat!

Ash: And there was a soccer game watch party, but I didn't look at it too much.

Pikachu: Chu pika chu. ["Just a bit."]

Goh: Interesting. Oh, wait. Was this also held at that certain mall? 

Ash: You bet! 

Goh: Well, everything makes sense now.

Me: They should.

Goh: So, how else was this a busy weekend? Besides what happened yesterday.

Me: Well, did you make that stop at the card game shop like I told you to?

Ash: I did! Good thing it wasn't too far away. I met your raid friends, and they were holding a PvP tournament.

Goh: Like earlier this year.

Ash: Yup.

Me: And I wish I could join in with your help, but I was afraid it would cut into our preparations and/or your performance, so I decided against it - putting Eggs in one basket and watching it.

Ash: I get what you mean, even if the performance got delayed - which it was.

Me: I still wouldn't have risked it.

Goh: Is that it? Or was there... another thing going on?

Me: There was another festival across town that almost stole visitors since it looked bigger.

Goh: Oh my. Really busy weekend it is.

Pikachu: Pika, pi pi pika. ["It was, wasn't it."]

Ash: Hey, at least we got a few things off of it!

Me: And they're the ones that matter most, especially with Pokémon.

Goh: Why not. It's all you.

Me: And us, and all things from this great world. OK, weekend's over - now we can wind up for other things.

One year ago: The Remnant Vestiges of Silph

Two years ago: My "Friend Experience" in Playing Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: "My Pokémon Collection" in Indonesia

Four years ago: On the Statistics for My Blog

Five years ago: Cosplay: Panniversary 3

Six years ago: Only for You, For Your Eyes Only

Seven years ago: The First-Generation Surfing Theme

Cosplay: Sayonara Kotoshi - Atarashii Kaze ni Narou

Me: Well, there hasn't been a festival and such this month, so let's put one in with this one.

Goh: Something new for Ash?

Me: I think so. I can't find anything in my records for this one.

Ash: I still want to be there.

Me: And I agree, but there are also other matters of importance today. But for starters...

Ash: Hey, the place is your school!

Goh: Hmm? Didn't you say the people there didn't want to have festivals and such going on?

Me: That's true, but I think they might be open to new ideas as well. More on this later.

Ash: OK, so it was a festival in a court right next to the entrance. 

Goh: That's convenient. 

Ash: But then the rain came - and really hard. 

Pikachu: Pi pika pika pika. ["Perfect timing."]

Goh: That must have been rough.

Ash: I think? I didn't go inside the court. 

Goh: What did you do, then? 

Ash: I waited for the rain to let up a bit... and then I went to join our friend's other friends to raid for Necrozma!

Goh: Oh, just like earlier this year.

Ash: Yup, like when they had bits of Solgaleo and Lunala.

Goh: But there was no special event, was there? 

Ash: No, just the raids like before.

Me: Since there's no special event, there's no special card image for it either.

Ash: Oh yeah! I didn't see that.

Goh: So, did you go back to the festival after the raids? 

Ash: I did. But I think I missed the character parade...?

Pikachu: Pika... ["Hmm..."]

Me: That's the point. It just wasn't going to happen for us with the raids.

Goh: Well, of course. But at least you could enjoy the rest of it. 

Ash: Which wasn't much, even with the entry fee.

Goh: Really? 

Ash: There were only one community booth, a couple of booths for goodies, and a few for food.

Me: OK, so they might be trying to start small anyway.

Goh: There had to be entertainment you got to see. 

Ash: Sure, all the usual stuff. Bands, dance groups, and even a DJ at the end. 

Goh: And... even if you weren't in the character parade, you must have caught the awarding. 

Ash: Yeah! There were three winners: best dressed, best outfit, and best performance.

Me: There must have been many characters in the parade. 

Ash: One of our friends was #20, so...

Me: Maybe close to that or more. OK, so I guess we dodged a bullet this time.

Goh: After all that, you still must have done the usual.

Ash: Sure. I got to meet our friend's friends, had some pictures taken, walked around...

Pikachu: Chu, pika... ["Yeah, that..."]

Goh: Of course.

Me: Maybe it's time we discuss the background of this. I heard that this festival is a creation of the Japanese language education students of my faculty and my school... which would make this a "spiritual sequel" of a festival that hasn't been seen since a long time ago, since the same group created it.

Ash: Wow, that takes me back! A lot of things have changed since then - even the way we look.

Goh: I can see that. You two look more suited for each other now.

Me: Thanks. At least that paid off. Also, there's a playful aspect of why it's appropriate to send Ash today.

Ash: Was that because... I saw my name all over the place?

Me: Your name in Japan, that is. People around here have a knack of shortening things to make them sound good... and the name of this festival happened to be that way (which, by the way, means "goodbye, this year").

Goh: Oh! I see it: Satoshi - "Sayonara Kotoshi".

Me: Indeed. There we go.

Ash: If it works, it works.

Pikachu: Pi pika pika! ["Yeah, that..."]

Me: All that's left is to see how the students will run with this one and make this work as a larger festival (if they can) - but as you say, things might just work out somehow, even on this divided day.

Ash, Goh: Yeah!

One year ago: Sun Matters, Pokémon Matters

Two years ago: Monthly Goals in Café Remix

Three years ago: Buying Games Ahead of Playing?

Four years ago: For the Sake of Something or Another

Five years ago: Putting Things on Hold

Six years ago: Local EX Raid (Double or Quits), 12/14/2018

Seven years ago: Tears of Life... and Being Moved to Tears

Favorite Items from Delibird's Presents

In Pokémon Unite, when Delibird appears on a map, as in the Panic Parade and Snowball Battle maps, if defeated, it drops a Present containing an item, which can then be grabbed by a Pokémon and then used to incur a variety of effects. Some of these effects are favorable - as long as one is on the giving end of them - while others are less favorable in any case due to their quirks in execution. For this post, I'd like to detail a few of my favorite items from this selection and why that's the case, plus a few "best practices" for them.

One of my favorites is the Snowball item, which literally turns a Pokémon into a big clump of snow and allows it to roll over other Pokémon. By my description, it sounds a lot like the Rollout attack of Wigglytuff, and it works out that way; therefore, one has to consider being adept at this attack for its usage. I myself sometimes find it difficult to control - even with it being a favorite item - but it does have its moments of utility, so I still favor having this item rather than having nothing at the very least.

Then there's the thematically related Freeze Ball item, which does something a little different. When used, it can be aimed at an opposing Pokémon in order to inflict a "frozen" status on them (cannot move and cannot attack). It is very useful when I'm not using Mamoswine - still my favorite Defender - and want to put a hold on my opponents in the same way I do so when I use Mamoswine. In any case, the stopping power is very nice indeed and can stand to be applied in different ways.

An item that is exclusive to the Snowball Battle map is the Returning Smoke item, which sends back Pokémon of the opposing team to the starting zone. As expected, it can be used when they're threatening other Pokémon or the goal zone (as in, about to score massively). It can be a little jarring when used - which other players have done, with me on the receiving end - but it's a useful "last resort" of sorts, so when I get it, I have to manage to use it and hopefully lead to good results when that happens.

Lastly, I have another "bomb" type favorite item, the aptly named Recovery Bomb. When activated, this heals not only the player's Pokémon but also those of one's team, which of course enables them to get more attacks in. It seems to be an underutilized item, apparent by not many players appearing to use it, but given some circumstances (such as a major attack during Panic Parade), the item's utility can't be overlooked. Thus, if I have it in those circumstances, then it does beg to be used somehow.

Many items can be given out by Delibird in Presents when defeated, but these are just a few of them, and they represent the ones I like to use along with the ways I use them. The uses can be somewhat strategic, but then again, that's one of the keys of success for playing a MOBA - even if Pokémon Unite is of a much different sort compared to others in the same vein. Still, it's a difference I very much favor, and evidently it keeps a lot of things going in the game, including me.

One year ago: My Personal Trainer Fashion Preferences

Two years ago: Indonesia's Own Pokémon Event

Three years ago: The Bugs of Unite

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Weekend, 12/12/2020 and 12/13/2020

Five years ago: Performance Critique: Pokémon Theme feat. Otaku

Six years ago: Trainer Battles Are Go!!!

Seven years ago: Will You Be There?

Pokémon Through the Ages: The Formative Era

Moving on, there's the next "era" I want to discuss as part of this month's "four fours". It's one that I call the "Formative Era" because it was when many other elements of modern Pokémon - aside from the ones introduced in the previous "Classical Era" - were shaped or "formed", and they remain in mostly the same ways today. The seeds of competitive play were also being sown in this era, and that would grow into the World Championships, which is indeed another way that it is "formative".

This "era" would obviously include the games of the third generation as the next one in line, as well as the fourth generation. It so happens that these games are presently the earliest games for which Pokémon could still be brought to modern systems with the right tools, although that may change soon. As well, a lot of the fans people know, including I myself personally, found their interest in Pokémon during or with these generations; this becomes a different yet similarly related "formative" aspect. 

Games other than those of the main series also started to become a little more numerous and differentiated, as if they're setting themselves up for the happenings of the next "era"... but I'm getting ahead of myself. Compared to the "exposure" of the previous "era", it seems that this one shaped ("formed") Pokémon itself as becoming more of a niche area of gaming, yet still somewhat very popular for those who know. It was a bit of a counter to the general "formative" aspect but didn't detract from it.

For this "era", the process of shaping or "forming" could be described as being not only outwards but also inwards, with the introduced elements as well as general perceptions. Such a process, though, is essential for anyone or anything, and for Pokémon, even that definitely needed to happen. The shape of Pokémon today is somewhat different than when it was shaped in this "era", and yet many of the contributions from this time are still there, so there is a "form" that isn't lost.

One year ago: Increased Irrelevance in Café Remix?

Two years ago: Pokémon Go: Something Extraordinary

Three years ago: Using the Master Ball

Four years ago: Virtual Reality (VR) and Pokémon

Five years ago: Sword and Shield Uptake

Six years ago: Much Ado About Figures

Seven years ago: The Rainbow Feather of Ho-Oh

The Importance of Mew in Café Remix

By now, many Pokémon that become staff members in Café Remix are important with their skills or significance in one way or another. Yet it seems that of them, Mew has a particular or specific importance, especially with the features associated with the Pokémon in this game. As such, I've opted to make a bit of discussion regarding this observation by highlighting those features or aspects that make it as such. 

Perhaps the most important feature or aspect is its puzzle skill. For its regular outfit variant at the least, by obtaining one skill icon and using it, it becomes a useful minor area hit; however, by obtaining two skill icons and combining them, all icons in the puzzle area are hit, clearing them if applicable. This has many implications, one of them being a large puzzle score. As well, with the way Slow Cooking is today, if done there, it instantly fills up the Fever bar and leads to another Fever time that is likely to be in the next stage, provided that doing so clears all icons. Because regular outfit Mew is also of all types, this could conceivably be applied to many puzzles. The Pokémon skill alone makes for a rather apparent importance.

Meanwhile, another outfit (the Fresh outfit) is offered for Mew through an event pass called the Café Opening Pass, and it is similar to the Camping outfit in that it has a five-star skill, albeit with the effects being different from the regular outfit as expected. Even so, the event pass, as expected by mobile game standards, requires payment and therefore the outfit is a paid or even "premium" aspect or feature. Regardless, it seems the aspect or feature is to be available indefinitely and has been as such since it was first offered with the event pass revamp, and that seems to establish its importance aside from the regular outfit as above.

Recently, the game also updated with a new Mew Challenge, displacing the previous implementation, as the way to eventually hire Mew as a staff member by developing its associated menu item. The new challenge involves completing orders and other tasks, appropriately to #151 (as its National Dex number). Old players simply get the rewards and clear the challenge, while new players will need to go through it. In any case, the new challenge and rewards are also further affirmation of the importance of the Pokémon.

Though all Pokémon in Café Remix will likely show how they can become important through certain play aspects, Mew is evidently important in many different ones as above and will likely remain so with them. That continued importance will likely serve players well in addition to any Pokémon that become café customers and eventually staff members.

One year ago: EX Licenses: A Legendary Extra

Two years ago: Cosplay: CHoCoDays 2022 - FUNDOME

Three years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: The Modelers

Four years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - "Gotcha!" Versions

Five years ago: Rethinking Game Linkages

Six years ago: Passing It On: The Next Generation

Seven years ago: Pikachu Head Collectibles

The Music of TCGP

Some years ago, I discussed the music that accompanies the gameplay of the designate virtual client for playing the Pokémon TCG, as Trading Card Game Online (TCGO). Fast forward years later, the game has been succeeded by Trading Card Game Live (TCGL), which has its own selection of music, though I'll have to save the discussion of this for much later on when it's more convenient. Luckily, the newest mobile, portable, and compact rendition of Trading Card Game Pocket (TCGP) also has its own selection of music, and that is something that I can conveniently discuss right now.

The music of the game can be described as "lounge-styled", starting from the intro music at the splash screen and going into the music of the main screen for dealing with affairs related to obtaining cards. The card display functions, for both owned cards and the Social Hub with its Community Showcases (friends and others), also share a piece that is similarly lounge-styled but is different from the main screen music. As with TCGO, the music pieces have a "chill" factor but are definitely somewhat more lively in comparison.

Booster pack selection - first the expansion and type selection, and second the pack draw itself - have ambient pieces that may (or may not) foreshadow what the packs may bring. After choosing and opening, though, the tune changes to a lively and minorly celebratory piece. The Wonder Pick process, for both selection and draw, meanwhile have pieces with a more lively quality, perhaps as a nod to the "Wonder" aspect. Having the lively portions being what they are may be considered a way to keep players attracted.

Certainly, there are also music pieces for the battle features. These are probably the liveliest pieces in the game, from the venue selection to the battle itself; the latter has pieces for the setup phase, the "primary struggle" (when neither player has two points), and the "crunch time" (when either player has two points, with different pieces depending on if one is behind or ahead). The battle ends with a mellow piece regardless of outcome, reflecting that the only source of intensity here is in the battles themselves.

Rightfully, even a compactly reorganized electronic implementation of the Pokémon TCG has to have its own assortment of music pieces. In this case, the moods are of major calmness - likely for those who are more attracted to drawing and collecting cards rather than playing them - and minor excitement for those who actually do enjoy putting the cards into play. Either way, they're all convenient adjuncts to whatever TCG experience that may be had.

One year ago: Cosplay: "My Town" Food Festival II

Two years ago: Cosplay: The Lidos Cosplay Contest

Three years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: Selections Once Again

Four years ago: Night Falls, Heavens Rise

Five years ago: Pokémon Center Pilot Pikachu Plush - Narita Airport Ver.

Six years ago: Stage Coin Tricks in Shuffle

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru F!

Am I Just a (Poké)Weeb?

There's something in development that very much pertains to me - and my interests in relation to Pokémon - that I can't discuss in greater detail just yet, although the title of this post may make things obvious. At any rate, the main phase of that development is over, which is what I had wanted to wait for before making the discussion so I don't feel like I'm about to "jinx it". It could also be admitted that the topic is slightly sensitive, even with its Pokémon relation, so doing it this way somewhat makes sense.

Now, the crux of the topic regards the consideration of myself as a Pokémon "weeaboo" or "weeb" for short... for which, due to a combination of recent circumstances and experiences, makes it seem that I'm just that and nothing else, instead of someone of any other role, including ones that are related to Pokémon. I've already made a treatise on the "weeaboo" aspect earlier, and that continues to apply; what becomes pertinent is what had just transpired as above, leading to the question as posed in the title of this post.

With that, the thing currently in development is one of the relevant circumstances, along with a few recent upheavals with my raid group (primarily concerning Gigantamax battles) and the apparent fact that this blog, as well as other social media efforts, still have not led to the results I desire or intend - one recent one of these, in fact, failed to "get off the ground" before it could begin, which is regrettable as it could have increased my Pokémon standing, if not my own, and provided support. It seems that people already have formed certain ideas about me one way or another, particularly as in the "just-'weeb'" regard, and it may be difficult (very, and even bordering on impossible) to change that regardless of what I put forward.

Even after all that, while I'm still not in favor of (personally) using the "weeb" term to represent myself, if it means there is a certain positivity in that representation as others see myself, then I won't reject that representation. Yet I still want to be seen (and I personall regard myself) as someone of greater standing and especially with relation to Pokémon, in particular for aspects I outlined many years ago. These aspects are what I want to emphasize and put forward, but other positive aspects can and should be able to "tag along for the ride".

It seems that after all this time, people still don't know much about me - despite what I put forward - and feel the need to ascribe certain things (and regard only those things) to me and my Pokémon interests, as with the "weeb" thing. Though there's a certain capacity of it being applicable and accurate - again, which I won't reject - it would also be nice to represent myself as someone with more to show. With that I also very much still consider Pokémon to be something that I can use to accomplish that.

One year ago: Cosplay: Art and Culture Exhibition (ACE) 2023

Two years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Great League, No Restrictions

Three years ago: Casting Out Porygon

Four years ago: Let's Talk About Finding Our Way

Five years ago: A Day (or Year) with Pikachu

Six years ago: To See and See Not

Seven years ago: A Pokémon Twist to My Phone

Creatures of the Sea

I've been looking over my old posts, and I noticed I've made a post on land creatures, but I don't have one on the watery counterpart of the sea, aside from making a mention at the start of the other post. As such, I've decided to make a post on the topic in more or less the same style, just to set things right.

So, the sea, like the land, is a venue of life - although the life there is very much different, even almost "alien", compared to the ones on land. Being the lifelike creatures they are, Pokémon species also inhabit this venue of life, though as expected, they themselves are different and do things differently from their counterparts on land. All the same, they're very much able to thrive in this venue and do so in amazing ways to fulfill the purposes of life, whether of themselves or of others. 

Likewise, it is possible to consider two Pokémon species that embody the sea, both accurately by relevance and literally by size. One of these is certainly the great maker and dweller of the sea, Kyogre, whose capacity of bringing down rains is of great reverence by certain groups of people. Then there's Wailord as one of the largest Pokémon out there, certainly in its environment. It's a practical wonder for it to exist and thrive there, especially with it as the evolution of the more playful and spherical Wailmer. Both of these take up space in the sea, and they're also representative of what the sea is able to beget.

Previously, I had discussed the sea itself, particularly in regard to a different phenomenon; the key point was the sea as the bringer and giver of life, implying a sense of mutual benefit. With this consideration, there is the sense that species like the Binacle family and Corsola can serve as anchors for all other species in the sea, including what could be considered the most vivacious, as the Magikarp family. Life spirit is arguably important, for these sea creatures and more, as is how that translates to their land brethren and then goes back to the sea in a cycle that is wonderful in description and effect.

With its voluminous nature (including for certain life forms within it) and the possibilities of life energy carried in it, the sea definitely has a life-sustaining role for real creatures and of course the ones in the Pokémon world. The latter being what they are might seem strange to land-dwellers like people, but then so are many real creatures within the same space. Most importantly, they remain valuable in keeping life and life energy flowing - literally, given the medium - in lore and reality, and that's as fascinating as it is essential.

One year ago: More NPCs in Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Quickies: Snorlax on the Road

Three years ago: My Current Pokémon Unite Role Preferences

Four years ago: Popular Poké-Shipping

Five years ago: Pieces of a Pokémon Life

Six years ago: Cosplay: IJF - Cosplayer Rising Star

Seven years ago: (Un)finished Business

Pokémon Drinks (and Cards) for (a) Good Day

It is no secret that Pokémon has been collaborating with a lot of local brands where I am, and now I'd like to bring up one more. Good Day is a brand of instant coffee - well, more "coffee drink" than coffee "proper" - and it has, for some time now, collaborated with Pokémon to furnish its goods in thematic Pokémon packaging. That also provides an opportunity for it to furnish Pokémon bonuses for the most passionate fans, which includes me. For this post, I want to delve into it to show them off.

The thematic packaging is applied to the wrapping of a pack of ten envelopes, as well as certain envelopes of that bunch. Certain flavors are represented by certain Pokémon; in this case, the "Mocacinno (mocha)" and "Carrebian Nut (hazelnut)" (sic) packaging are represented by the Kanto starters as well as Pikachu and Eevee respectively, who also appear on the envelopes along with Togepi for the latter. The packaging can be considered rather "festive", even if the coffee flavors themselves aren't.

While it is possible to buy loose packs from corner stores and the like, the ten-pack is what Pokémon fans will likely go for, as they contain either a promotional TCG card or a sheet of stickers, or possibly both if one is lucky. The card is in a red pack sleeve and contains the wordmark of the brand on the lower-right corner of the Pokémon image, while the card itself can (and is) accommodated for local play. Some very lucky people might even have received rare cards in this manner, which I have witnessed.

Personally, the drink is a bit sweet for me, although that goes back to it being a "coffee drink" rather than true coffee, as I've stated above. I also never paid (much) attention to the drinks - I have had them once or twice - until the brand collaborated with Pokémon. Thus, it can be said that Pokémon made me "warm up" to the brand to consume it more... at least for as long as the collaboration is in place, after which I'd prefer to consume other forms of "coffee drinks" or just regular coffee for that matter.

Having seen the range of local product collaborations with Pokémon that have taken place so far, I can say that many of them have been "unexpected" in certain ways, including the brand of drinks in this post. At least, based on my personal experience, the collaboration has made an exposure of itself and allowed for greater consumption of it, with some nifty Pokémon bonuses to boot. Any day is a good day for Pokémon, but I can see the drinks of this brand also being sometimes applicable as such on those days.

One year ago: Pokémon Perspectives on Wasting Food

Two years ago: Factions Battlefields, Season 2 Cycle 3

Three years ago: Quickies: Letting the Charcoal Burn

Four years ago: GOtcha Podcast Episode 2: My Way of Playing Pokémon Go

Five years ago: Timeless and Forever

Six years ago: Local EX Raid (and the Power of Us), 12/7/2018

Seven years ago: The Shops of Shuffle

Pokémon Through the Ages: The Classical Era

It's the last month of the year, but I still want (and need) to do a "four fours" series for the month just to close up the year appropriately. With that, I have discovered a suitable topic for the occasion: the division of the progression of Pokémon into "eras" that have certain characteristics and represent certain aspects, mostly related to the games. These will be mostly based on my observations and may not be representative of the views of others and/or official parties, but they may serve as good bases to consider how things have progressed over time.

The first of these "eras", as suggested by the title of this post, is what I call the "Classical Era". I call it as such because this is the era that established the initial fame of Pokémon and its spread from Japan to the wider world. It's truly an initial fame in many respects because of how unexpected it seemed for some people - particularly those outside of Japan - and how it defined Pokémon, much of which still apply even today. The "classical" title also represents how species and human characters from this era also remain recognizable in the present day.

From this era, the representative games are of the first and second generations along with their associated species and regions. These also work perfectly well to illustrate the era because the physical versions of these games are now "inert", and even if they work, they may be there just for the nostalgia. They - the originals at least - are also some of the least-colored games owing to the limits of their systems (Game Boy and Game Boy Color), yet this further contributes to the "classical" title that represents this era and its associated elements.

Other elements would include the TCG as it is (was) known and an early attempt to present an electronic implementation for it, as well as exposure through news reports, advertisements, and prime showings of these and other elements. Long-time fans (like me) will surely remember much of these, which might explain why certain other fans might still be "in their own world" in this "classical" era and specifically what came rather initially. Yet this is the "world" that gives rise to its further expansions and is thus still important in that way.

As the first of the eras I'm discussing according to my observations, the "classical" era  for Pokémon really comes into its own, with the initial offerings and memorable exposures that lay down the base for the franchise and set things up for its most devoted and early fans. Like the music genre with which this era shares its title, there are some things to be taken and remembered from it, even for those who did not live through the era; it still deserves to be brought up into the present intermittently, in addition to the others to be discussed.

One year ago: On Raid Problems and Their Compensation

Two years ago: It's a Rotom World

Three years ago: Creatures of the Land

Four years ago: Play Where You Are (or at Home)

Five years ago: Time of Posting

Six years ago: Pokémon Asia McDonald's Happy Meal Toys, Waves 1 and 2

Seven years ago: Watching and Re-Watching

Pursuing Dynamax and Gigantamax (...or Not)

Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon have made a rather expansive entry into Pokémon Go over the course of the last season and changed the battling scene in many ways. With such an entry, a consideration arises regarding whether they should be pursued. The answer to the question posed by the consideration might be obvious to many, but it seems that it can be fleshed out further into a respectable discussion - and I feel that it has to be done, also with consideration of the experiences of mine and others.

Some other considerations tie into this. Both of these "gargantuan" forms are graphics-intensive from a technical standpoint, which may explain the lockups that some Trainers have experienced. For this reason also, they're likely to stay confined to Power Spots, further explaining why they were created in the first place, aside from being specified points for these battles. The graphics intensity might also indicate that unlike Mega Evolution, they're likely to be kept out of PvP, and even if that is somehow shattered, it might only be for Master League.

Given these considerations, along with the (current) situation of this phenomenon being only applicable to new Pokémon, there is an incentive of not pursuing them - in particular the Gigantamax ones, which (sadly) still requires many people and great power to battle and then catch - as their use at present is also limited to Power Spots by the considerations above. Some may also have missed the limited windows for battling and catching them, including the recent Wild Area event, and thus the situation applies regardless.

Yet of course, one can at least use up their Max Particles on the less powerful one-star and two-star Dynamax battles, aiming to get the best Pokémon possible from them, and (slowly) building up Pokémon for use in difficult and more powerful battles. Then, when the chance comes, they can be used. Still, if one is a collector, any other consideration is obviated and one will pursue them regardless to be added to one's collection - although other factors may just make it hard for doing so.

Having said all that, Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon are still a thing to behold even in Pokémon Go with their appearances here. Granted, some of them may not be for everyone at the moment due to one limitation or another, but there may still be some things to be pursued while leaving others up to the chance of an opportunity to battle them properly and/or reasonably. Many aspects may still need to be considered, along with the simple one of the Pokémon being there to be pursued.

One year ago: Seeing "The Whole" with Pokémon

Two years ago: The Trouble(s) with Scarlet and Violet

Three years ago: Glacial Scaling

Four years ago: Go Beyond... Features

Five years ago: The Social Aspect of Pokémon

Six years ago: More Weather Boosts for Types?

Seven years ago: Game Bugs and Fixing Them

Warping Time in TCG Pocket

Something that one quickly notices when playing the new Pokémon TCG Pocket is that a few actions take time to do between each successive instance, at least if one is being patient and/or casual about those instances. If one is rushed and/or hardcore about them, then they'll have to "warp time" between the instances, and that is accomplished in the game by using what are called "hourglasses", with different kinds for different actions.

In general, an "hourglass" recovers one hour for a different kind of "stamina", which allows an action to be performed. The recovery is rounded up, meaning that spare minutes of an hour counts as an hourglass; therefore, it is best to wait to pass those spare minutes - if possible - before using hourglasses and to save an hourglass for the next recovery. Of course, if one can use hourglasses lavishly, one may be welcome to do so by all means.

The different kinds are the Pack Hourglass, which recovers Pack Stamina for opening booster packs; the Wonder Hourglass, which recovers Wonder Stamina for initiating Wonder Picks; and the Event Hourglass, which recovers Event Stamina for battles. The latter two can be recovered up to five marks with four extra marks, while the former recovers a booster pack opening immediately, though technically two can be recovered by waiting instead of "warping time". 

As an adjunct, the "Poké gold" item can be used to recover stamina at a rate of two hours for each one used, though one will likely need to use these very sparingly as one will have limited numbers of them, even with purchase of additional ones. In any case, it is the hourglasses that will be used rather frequently - and perhaps as plentifully as possible, as they can be readily available through different circumstances in play and in the in-game shop.

Ripping open booster packs and playing with the cards gotten from them are surely common objectives in TCG Pocket, but perhaps just as common is the action of "warping time" for the different kinds of stamina associated with the actions that accomplish those objectives. With the given facilities, that becomes easy to do and in some cases may be necessary to achieve the greater success that comes about by doing things quickly.

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NYT Games and Pokémon, Revisited

It was only about a year ago that I discussed the (electronic) games of The New York Times newspaper and how they could possibly be made as "Pokémon Editions", at least some of them anyway. Since then, some changes have taken place, and that's something I'd like to discuss, still with the inclusion of a Pokémon perspective; moreover, I'd also like to discuss the dynamics of one of them, which incidentally also has a minor tie to Pokémon. There is a certain relevance in all of these that need to come to light. 

The first matter is those dynamics, which concern one of the current popular pillars of the games, as the Connections game. Wyna Liu, the game's puzzle editor, had in fact stated that during the "beta test" of the game, one of the included categories for a puzzle was for trading card games... and of course, Pokémon was on this short list. Even so, it was decided that categories heavy on pop culture items should (try to) be avoided, which becomes ironic since one of the more recent Connections puzzles featured names - not related to Pokémon - that relied on pop culture knowledge, not to mention being grossly mislabeled in difficulty (at least according to many players, with whom I agree). Since then, a "Sports Edition" of the game has also been implemented officially for these fans; other editions like my theorized "Pokémon Edition" may only have to be implemented unofficially given Wyna's views, though it would still be neat to find out her take.

Meanwhile, a new game has risen to great popularity and is now part of the current lineup of available games to play. Strands is a word puzzle game based on a word search, where players search for words in clusters on a six-by-eight grid, one of which spans the width or height of the board and represents the puzzle theme (called the "Spangram"). Given the free aspect of it, including the "Spangram", a "Pokémon Edition" is totally conceivable with the breadth of linguistic aspects that Pokémon has today. As with any of the other games, though, it will still take some convincing for a "Pokémon Edition" to be made, in particular for Tracy Bennett, the editor of this puzzle, who also happens to be the editor for the ever-popular Wordle.

Unfortunately, there is a bit of sad news as well. Vertex, one of the earlier games I mentioned, has been discontinued to allow the growth of other games. And yet, this was one of the games that heralded the current form of NYT Games, so it's sad to see it go. The fate of a "Pokémon Edition" for this one may now only rest in the hands of dedicated fans who might try to implement the game outside the confines of NYT Games.

All things considered, development is occurring and has occurred for the games of NYT in its electronic and online versions, even one year after I posted them. The development of "Pokémon Editions" for some of them, though, remains an open question, especially given how the developmental twists and turns of one of them were revealed as above. Still, it seems that such a development may not be out of the question, even as something that only Pokémon fans like me may be able to conceive. And if the editors can support that, it may just be a wonderful thing.

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