Making the Pokémon TCG Language-Independent?

Previously, I had brought up a discussion about the Pokémon TCG with regard to the possible use of symbols in order to represent the actions on the cards. I had also noted that it could be a step towards achieving what I call "language independence" for the realm, and that I would be discussing it later. Well, later is now, so I thought I'd get that discussion going for all it's worth and what those other steps may be, along with the associated challenges for the effort.

To make the TCG "language independent", it would mean making it be able to be played regardless of language, which has been both a source of convenience and a limiting factor for the present state of the TCG. Specifically, it can supplement currently playable TCG sets in whatever language they may be, and it might also help to bridge understanding between the players who might possess and use sets in different languages in their TCG gameplay.

With that, given a regular TCG card, aside from the actions as described in the previous post, the next prime target for "language independence" would be the Pokémon name, which could opt for the English name as a way to generalize things internationally, even though certain regions have their own names. That may just go for the special (Trainer) cards, even though it may also be possible to leave their titles blank as the cards can be recognized by the art.

Still, the TCG cards also have non-gameplay elements that are different in different language versions as well. The only apparent answer to deal with these seemingly would be the same as the above: leaving the elements blank. Then there are the move names, which might adopt the approach of representing them with uniquely distinct symbols, which could be vaguely similar to the approach for the actions. Yet this could be more difficult in contrast to that approach.

Given the above, perhaps true "language independence" may not be completely achievable for the cards, at least not without extreme modifications to the cards. Yet it is still fanciful to try to think about it, moreover because the Pokémon TCG is globally diverse nowadays and players from different parts of the world interact with each other. The effort and challenge to make "language independence" happen could still be considered to (help) facilitate that further.

One year ago: Quickies: In Puffs of Smoke

Two years ago: The Batik Motifs of Pikachu's Journey

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/23/2023

Four years ago: New Factions Battlefields Plus

Five years ago: Unite Uptake

Six years ago: Making Time, Taking Time

Seven years ago: Doubleheaders and Such

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Panniversary 2nd

Nine years ago: Pikachu and Poké Ball New 2DS XL

The Changing Mega Landscape in Pokémon Go

While the Mewtwo controversy is changing perceptions of Trainers, a few other things are changing with respect to Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go, affecting that very species as well as others. These forms, with regard to the Pokémon species that possess them, are certainly super-powered in their own way, but recent additions to Pokémon Go are making (or perhaps also about to make) that fact even more evident and bringing changes to its landscape.

For starters, more and more Pokémon are becoming able to access Mega Level 4 (dubbed the Super Max level, vis-a-vis Level 3 as the Max level), and a couple of these have been recently introduced for older Pokémon - more details on them soon. This affirms what I had written up earlier, in that the possibility of other Pokémon with Mega Evolution forms accessing these levels has become a reality. Particularly, its reach for the "first batch" of Mega Evolution species will take time to manifest, but now it can be assured that everything will move in this path.

Those Pokémon that can access the Mega level as above now also have the privilege of accessing an additional Charged move while in the Mega Evolved state, making them the first ones in Pokémon Go to reach the traditional four-move limit (if they also have an unlocked regular Charged move). The new moves are "plus moves" of some familiar attacks, and in the case of both Mega Evolution forms for Mewtwo, they also come with Adventure Effects that are very useful in both raids and the overworld. The usefulness applies for others regardless.

Not only that, the Mega Evolution forms can be used not only in raid battles (but not yet for Gym battles) with their new Charged moves but also in PvP battling in certain leagues when they warrant their possible usage. In the latter case, the Pokémon will have their CP decreased ("nerfed") when they are out of range of a specific league in which they are to be used - also making it the first time a sort of "level adjustment for battle" situation is put in place in the game. The Mega forms are already big, but this is definitely the biggest forward step yet.

Mega Evolution could be said to have had an unassuming landscape in Pokémon Go, in particular given its "shaky start" many years ago. Now, though, the landscape is changing (and has changed) massively, and Trainers will have to take into account the above changes as well as previous ones in order for them to take advantage of Mega Evolution by themselves and what others and the game itself brings forth... hopefully for a change for the better.

One year ago: Pikachu's Indonesia Journey: After One Year

Two years ago: Cosplay+Pokémon Go: Pikachu's Indonesia Journey in Jakarta - Jakarta City Safari

Three years ago: More on "Shundo"... and Not-So-"Shundo"

Four years ago: Teams in Café Remix

Five years ago: Mallow and Ina, Chef and Contessa

Six years ago: The Place of Pokémon Go in the Pokémon Ecosystem

Seven years ago: Cosplay: GACOS LEVELUP

Eight years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/22/2018

Nine years ago: Riot of Pokémon Color

Mewtwo Hundo For All Time?

Back in July, I brought up the Times Square Mewtwo that became a nicety (for those who were able to participate in the event and to obtain it) and a source of furor (for those whom neither applied). Since then, there had been a development with particular regard to its perfect IV or "hundo" quality that could be considered either to appease the qualms of certain Trainers or to perpetuate its controversy ("for all time"), both the good and bad sides.

That development would be another "hundo" Mewtwo, dubbed as an "anniversary special", which all Trainers could get over the past month (through a Timed Research set) with all the same conditions of the one from the Times Square event but with a different background; those who partook in said event get one with random IVs instead. Its potential to quell certain controversies is also offset by its potential to continue generating them.

For instance, some Trainers became angry that they got it after they had used a Bottle Cap to max out a recently or previously caught Mewtwo. A certain Trainer has even shown themselves transferring said Mewtwo with the pretext of defending the ideal of needing to work for it. Even so, this may be less of a controversy and more of an evidence that these Trainers are in fact an ungrateful lot, something that should be discussed separately. 

Meanwhile, some have also postulated that as a result of both "hundo" offerings, the value of Mewtwo has been reduced, and what may be expected "for all time" is a way to obtain such a Mewtwo, especially for Trainers who missed either offering above due to their quite inherent limitations. Of course, they all will still need to raid for resources to power up the Pokémon, so the reduction in value may be offset by the continuous resource need. 

With that, continued offering seems to be the way things will go. The developers have said that the Times Square Mewtwo might just return in the future, and the "anniversary special" thus might not be far behind. Whether or not they'll come as "hundo" for those who don't already have them (and with random IVs for those who do) as in their original cases above is not certain, but if the will is the continued offering, there may be ways.

"Legendary" is the moniker that applies for some Pokémon species because of their in-game properties. Yet it seems that for Mewtwo, that moniker might be considered applicable in another way - particularly with regard to Pokémon Go - for its awe-inspiring and controversy-generating capabilities. The latter shouldn't be "for all time", but the former definitely should be, as is the application of the moniker that is rightfully applicable to it. 

One year ago: The Pains and Gains of the Local TCG Registration System

Two years ago: Cosplay: Cosplay Creator and Community Convention (C4)

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Tour for Other Regions?

Four years ago: The New (Old) Legacy Trainer Challenge

Five years ago: Pikachu Fidget Spinner

Six years ago: Item Runs in Pokémon Shuffle

Seven years ago: Remember, Remember

Eight years ago: Community Raid Days?

Nine years ago: Pokémon and Party Games

Cosplay: Wibufest Community Market

Goh: Wait! Isn't this one a "red flag"? 

Me: Well, um... If I had my way (or things had their way), I wouldn't even be discussing this one with you two.

Goh: There must be a story behind it.

Me: Uh-huh. So, I was told that there would be three happenings today (including this one), but I couldn't confirm two of them...

Ash: So you had me check out all of them.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika! ["An adventure!"] 

Goh: And what did you find?

Ash: Well, the first one was a festival that had good food, but it had nothing for us. (I think it follows this one.)

Me: OK, so the report about this one was unwarranted.

Ash: Yeah. After that, I went to the second one you told me about...

Goh: ...and there was nothing too.

Ash: Yup. It wasn't for anything for us at all.

Me: That makes two unwarranted reports. So...

Goh: You (we) ended up with the "red flag".

Ash: Uh-huh. So it turns out this is the only thing for us today.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu... ["Just that..."] 

Me: [sigh] Let's get the discussion out of the way, then. Now, I sent you throughout today with your Hoenn outfit...

Ash: ...like the first time earlier this year!

Goh: Was this on purpose or just because it's convenient?

Me: The latter. I heard there's no singing competition, so it really was "anything goes".

Goh: But there was a character parade, yes?

Ash: Yeah. I didn't want to get in for you, but your friends suggested that I get in... so I did.

Goh: Still, you got nothing.

Ash: Nope. And the winners still had to sign something.

Me: On that note, I did hear that the community resolved the dealings of previous winners, but I don't want to trust in that too quickly.

Goh: I understand that.

Pikachu: Pika chu? ["I guess?"] 

Ash: Other than that, everything was more or less the same.

Goh: Everything??

Ash: Same place, same communities, same friends of yours, same entertainment (dance groups), and even same schedule.

Goh: And does that mean "The Forbidden One" was also there?

Ash: I saw. He was at a booth. But I didn't get close to him.

Me: See, I'm sure something is still up with him.

Goh: You two had no (better) choice anyway.

Me: But still. I'd rather have it be different...

Ash: Well, your friend held a spinning top tournament and I got to see it live. And I got a card reader to read something about you.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["That's different."] 

Me: OK, sure. Well, at least today's different in different ways.

Ash: Yeah, at least visiting many places on the same day isn't bad.

Goh: You got off easy this time - almost. I hope things work out in whatever happening you two plan for next. 

Me: With luck, no "forbidden" people should be involved.

Ash: And make sure to look out for dodgy reports!

Me: That, and making sure the happenings themselves aren't "dodgy".

One year ago: Am I (Really) Suited for Physical TCG?

Two years ago: Tournament: Championship Expansion Part 6 #3

Three years ago: Pokémon Brand Parodies, Third Take

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies, Round 5

Five years ago: To Be a Snorlax

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/20/2020

Seven years ago: The Friendly Manual

Eight years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 9/20/2018

Nine years ago: Meeting, Parting with, and Missing Friends

Pokémon with Special Battle Forms in Pokémon Go

In recent times, Pokémon Go has started to add a twist to some of its battle systems (PvP in particular) by changing up how certain Pokémon behave in them. Specifically, that meant the addition of certain forms that are relevant to them, which then accordingly changes up the dynamic of the battle, at least as far as the species are concerned. In fact, there have been three of those Pokémon, so that is perfect for starting a discussion about them.

The first to receive the treatment was Morpeko, even before the recent PvP reform. Its regular form is called the "Full Belly Mode", and its alternate is the "Hangry Mode"; the Pokémon switches between the two forms after each Charged attack (regardless of move) and its type also switches from Electric (Full Belly) to Dark (Hangry) and back. Certainly, this makes full use of its Aura Wheel charged move - also its signature - and it presents a challenge for Trainers on both sides of Morpeko to deal with.

Next is the unique Ghost-type wonder of Mimikyu. Its regular form can be allowed to negate a Charged attack hit, after which it becomes its Busted form with reduced Defense. In this way, the form change can act as an additional shield with all its consequences, and that has other implications for its inclusion in PvP - including the fact that it skirted the recent PvP reform and became included in the new system instead of the old. In any case, there is a technique to be learned about its use, as well as if it can be used.

Cramorant is the most recent species with special battle forms - two of them, aside from the regular form. They can be accessed if the Pokémon knows either Surf or Dive (both Charged moves). If its HP is high, the Gulping Form is accessed, and it throws back an ensnared object to decrease the opponent's Defense; low HP accesses the Gorging Form instead, doing the same to decrease the opponent's Attack, and in both cases returning to normal afterwards. Its strategy is versatile, and so is its learning curve in a way.

All of these Pokémon are admittedly quirky in their own ways, and so too are their alternate or special forms, especially as they make their way into Pokémon Go to change up its (PvP) battle system. With the new system at hand, Trainers will have to contend with their appearances if and when they are warranted; when they do appear, it can then be guaranteed that they will need ways of countering them among other twists that may be present.

One year ago: Little Transformations among Big Ones

Two years ago: Major Shakeups in Pokémon Go Battles

Three years ago: Emily Rudd and Her Pokémon Links

Four years ago: Delivering an Authentic Experience

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/19/2021

Six years ago: On the Transcription of Pokémon Things

Seven years ago: Taking Sides on Shiny Pokémon

Eight years ago: Raid Time Length Change

Nine years ago: Competitive Stages in Shuffle

These Guys Are Good

There is a saying that applies to a certain realm, and that saying describes the best of the best people who are involved in that realm. Naturally, that saying is placed as the title of this post, which then serves as a guide to the discussion to come. That discussion most certainly involves Pokémon as the core topic of this blog, and with the nature of the presented saying, some relations are to be had with Pokémon and other aspects of real life.

With that, when applied to Pokémon, the saying then describes the best of the best people who deal with all kinds of Pokémon matters. Many of them would be the fierce competitors of the World Championships (like the most recent one), and especially those who can get to the later tournament stages or come out as the winner. In that sense, they're quite capable people who truly exemplify that saying of the certain other realm.

Meanwhile, other people involved with Pokémon may not be as competitive, but they can bring out the best of themselves and Pokémon in other ways. They can be artistic, influential, relatable, or any or all of the above. Their inherent capabilities with regard and relation to Pokémon would be quite different from the competitive people as above, but the fact remains that they would be considered "good" in whatever they can do with it.

Speaking of which, the saying has "guys" in it... since its original context does pertain to men in some way. But Pokémon fascinates people of all genders - including "esoteric" ones - so the saying above may need to be changed to suit. That could mean addition of or replacement by "gals" to represent the women as well as certain terms for the "esoteric" ones. Whatever happens, they can all share the spirit of the saying.

Certain people are good at certain things, and that applies well to Pokémon fans with all the things they can do that involve this great franchise. With that, the given saying in the title can and should become applicable to any and every one of those fans with their capabilities. The result would be a wonderful thing to show off; in a way that could perhaps be like the original intent of the saying that applied in the realm of its concern.

One year ago: BOGO Offers for Pokémon?

Two years ago: Going Big in Galar Part 2: The Other "Big"

Three years ago: The Shared (International) Journey of One Piece and Pokémon

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/18/2022

Five years ago: To Care and To Protect

Six years ago: GOtcha Podcast Episode 1: Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Raid Failures

Eight years ago: A Restarted Fever?

Nine years ago: What I (Really) Like About You - Pokémon

Common Things Seen in My Other Pokémon Dreams

I've written about my Pokémon dreams from time to time on this blog, at least when they happen and I'm fortunate enough to (have a way to) remember them - and most aren't. That seems to be the case for some of my most recent dreams as well as others from the past. Yet while the dreams are lost to time by now, I can still identify a few things that are apparent features of those dreams along with their relation to Pokémon, though the things themselves may not necessarily be related to Pokémon.

Since I'm a Pokémon cosplayer, it would be conceivable that sometimes a stage would appear in some of those dreams. That stage would obviously be where I'd be performing with my Pokémon cosplay - which more often than not would involve Ash - whether as part of a competition, or if I'm lucky, with a group performing together. Admittedly, the latter has been a rarity in real life, and the same goes for its appearance in my dreams - but they do appear, and so it has to be included in this discussion.

Then, bicycles also make an occasional appearance. I've noted in the past that I enjoy two-wheeled vehicles to some capacity, and Pokémon has those in some form. Naturally, in some of my dreams, they come together, additionally with the Trainers who are known to have used them (Red comes to mind in this case). They make for nice dreams, but at some point I have to be aware that the dream is just a dream, lest other fantasies "take over" and that's when I start a digress from Pokémon, not for discussion here.

Most simply, sometimes a table may appear in my Pokémon dreams. Tables are important in some instances of Pokémon gaming (TCG, obviously), and as such, they've occasionally made an appearance where Pokémon games have been a concern in my dreams. Of course, tables can and do serve as a feature for where people meet, and that becomes the context in my Pokémon dreams when gaming didn't become a concern. Whatever the case, both contexts involve me relating to other people and Pokémon.

A dream can be described as an amalgam of thoughts and experiences that occur while the mind is at rest. For someone whose mind may constantly involve Pokémon matters, that means it can become involved in dreams if the mind lets it, and that is a given fact with all the Pokémon dreams I've had. And if those dreams happen to involve particular things appearing within them, like the things above, they might just be telling of how I regard Pokémon and how different things apply to all my dealings with it.

One year ago: The Problem of Scalpers and Pokémon

Two years ago: More Waypoint Usage in Pokémon Go?

Three years ago: Cosplay: Helloweebs on the Road & TM Town Festival

Four years ago: Best Times for Community Day across Times and Places

Five years ago: (Un)finished Business, Again

Six years ago: Progressing Through the Go Battle League

Seven years ago: At a Starry Night Time

Eight years ago: Approaching Field Research Tasks

Nine years ago: Restarting Go Fever Among Players

Symbolic Representation of TCG Actions

Something that players of the Pokémon TCG may or may not realize is that no matter what language the cards are in - given the fact that the cards do in fact have different language versions - they have to perform the same exact actions, which hopefully the different language versions should outline clearly. To that end, I then thought about how the action descriptions in the cards could also be expressed in symbolic form as an alternative to expression by language.

A few reasons play into this thought and interest. One of them is that the card actions as they are described on some cards, in particular with rather stretchy ideations of the card actions, can seem like "walls of text". Using symbols for descriptions might make things less daunting for some players, although decoding the symbols might in turn demand the brunt of the work. Therefore, symbols might be a better fit for players who already have the basic skills down pat.

For example, various "flip a coin" actions can be expressed as the following, using actions denoted by emoji since they're rather ubiquitous by now:

"Flip a coin" = 🪙

"Flip n coins" = 🪙🔢 (where 🔢 is a number n)

"Flip a coin until you get tails" = 🪙➡️🐉 (🐉 can be subbed for the Rhydon face, the archetype of "tails")

Certainly, if this were to be made official, Pokémon would have to make the symbols purposively unique and not just simply use generic emoji.

It can be seen that if the right symbols are used with proper sequencing of those symbols, it would not be hard to make them mean the same as with any language the Pokémon TCG comes in. As such, the usage of symbols allows the cards to take one closer step of becoming "language independent", although more would still need to be done to achieve this. That's also something good to be saved for a future discussion, but the gist is that the possibility may be achievable.

Having the card actions in Pokémon TCG be described in an abstract yet meaningful manner through symbols is admittedly rather fanciful, yet it could also be regarded as surprisingly workable, depending on the viewpoints of certain parties that might be involved. It would take some development and a little persuasion to get things going, but the results might be off some interest to some players as a succinct and independent way of describing the familiar card actions.

One year ago: Getting Tired of Packs in TCGP?

Two years ago: Dynamax in Pokémon Go: The "Big" Bones

Three years ago: Being a Pokémon... Weeaboo?

Four years ago: New Pokémon Fossil Watches

Five years ago: Let's Talk About Good Drinks and Good Friends

Six years ago: The Firefighters of Pokémon

Seven years ago: Pokémon Cable Bite Accessory - Pikachu

Eight years ago: An End to Jumps

Nine years ago: Pokémon Suits in Cosplay?

More Boost Emblems for Pokémon Unite - Possible?

Although Pokémon Unite at this point could be considered to be in a state of decline, there may be room to discuss what could be added to or improved for the game, with the hope that the decline could perhaps be stalled or reversed somehow. One of those things concerns boost emblems, which in the past I've updated my progress on a couple of times. Now I'm bringing it back, albeit for positing additions or improvements to it.

In my earlier update, I had said that they are currently composed of Pokémon species from the first and second generations, as well as the Eon Pokémon (Latias and Latios), Zacian, the Sprigatito line, and Miraidon. The complete generations are pretty solid, but the "out of band" Pokémon seem like an afterthought - yet it's not completely a bad thing if the emblems could one day be expanded to fill their generations, which obviously hasn't happened.

While there may be several reasons for explaining why these emblems haven't been expanded, a couple of them may be the primary ones. The first would be the apparent decline as I have mentioned; the second would be that the current set of emblems are likely sufficient in all their combinations for boosting the Pokémon that players use. Both of these may hinder a planned expansion, though if it is willed, it may just happen regardless.

For that, the most obvious target for expansion would certainly be filling in the rest of the third generation species so that the Eon Pokémon aren't lonely where they are. That can potentially generate emblems that could work in new combinations. If that seems like it could become a burden for the game, then relevant species to Unite Licenses that are currently present may be an option to do the same but in a more direct manner with relation to them.

The addition of new Pokémon boost emblems to Pokémon Unite may or may not happen at the current pace the game is going, but it's still fanciful to think about and consider, since other additions are still in progress for the game despite its apparent status of decline. In any case, the system itself still has to be dealt with by new and old players alike, so it has to be taken into account by them to make the most (and best) of this continuing Pokémon game.

One year ago: Cosplay: Foodtopia Festival (S4)

Two years ago: In Search of New Posting Styles

Three years ago: The Nonviolent Approach to Pokémon

Four years ago: Pokémon Moe Gijinka: To Love and Be Loved

Five years ago: Reminiscing Stadium and Colosseum

Six years ago: On Public Communication with Pokémon

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/15/2019

Eight years ago: Pokémon Go Trading Stickers

Nine years ago: Am I Writing-Challenged?

Mediocre with Niantic, Downgraded with Scopely?

Many of those who play Pokémon Go will recognize that the game has had its highs and lows during the Niantic Games era, which in a way averages out to make a mediocre experience - which some players could attest. After the sale of Niantic Games to Scopely, becoming Scopely Explore under it, there were still the same highs and lows... yet there seems to be some more of the latter by way of the new party's control. As a result, some players have construed the experience as being "downgraded", and I'd like to discuss that.

One way that the "downgrade" has actually happened is the most recent reduction of Team Go Rocket balloons from four a day (every six hours) to just one, forcing Trainers to scout areas for grunts and leaders, which is already hard with their low frequency and can be even harder for those in rural areas with few PokéStops. In any case, it is a "downgrade" because the previous standard of four is, well... a standard, offering a modest experience amidst the mediocrity of still having to scout for Team Go Rocket PokéStops for more battle chances.

Then, the gaffes that occur with Niantic Games still occur under Scopely Explore, similarly even though the circumstances are different. The most recent one is the forced makeup of the second day of Go Fest Global, specifically with regard to raids; raid events needing to be made up has happened before and from time to time, but if they keep happening, there may be something to be said about the game's handling of the feature, then and now. Also, other features may still glitch up occasionally.

If there is something to be gained from the situation, it is that the sale of Niantic Games to Scopely does not necessarily solve all problems that may, have, or will come up. In addition, the changes like the big one mentioned above shows that the "heavy-handedness" of Scopely itself that I had previously mentioned in discussing the sale is starting to creep in, becoming a manifestation of the concerns also previously outlined. That could become a disincentive for those already playing or even coming back to play.

Even with the problems that plague it (at least, from time to time), Pokémon Go is still a good game, just hampered by the arcane developments it had to go through and more recently the sale to another "suitor". That may be what reflects its mediocrity as has been evident all throughout the Niantic Games era. Now that the era has turned over to Scopely, the challenge becomes how to maintain the existing player base and rake in both inactive and new players alike while upgrading profits while not "downgrading" things further.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/14/2025

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 9/14/2024

Three years ago: Watch What I Say

Four years ago: Into the Deep Blue

Five years ago: Dancing with Pokémon

Six years ago: It's Time for GOtcha... Podcast

Seven years ago: The Appeal of the TCG

Eight years ago: A Pokémon Watch

Nine years ago: Three's Demise

Cosplay: MCP Coshow 2 & Foodtopia Season 5

Goh: Yeah, that's expected. So, another "twofer" this weekend?

Me: Yup, yesterday and today. That was the thing after Community Day yesterday and all day today.

Ash: And both of them with me in my Kalos outfit! ...I guess it's to make things easy for all of us.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Very easy!"]

Me: That would certainly be the point. 

Goh: And we're familiar with both of them because one was earlier this year...

Ash: ...and the other was last year!

Me: Good recall. For that, I also thought of combining both into a single discussion (and since Community Day was yesterday anyhow). So, let's start with the first one. 

Goh: That one was yesterday, I'll bet.

Ash: It was! At the same place, obviously.

Goh: With the same people?

Ash: Sure! But they did bring in a game community - not for us, but you get the drift.

Goh: But beyond that, the entertainment had to be practically the same.

Ash: Dance groups, singers, and games. I saw pretty much the main ones.

Pikachu: Pika pika pika... ["All still the same..."]

Goh: Well, I'm sure the character parade is also still the same, and you got into it.

Ash: No strings attached, so yeah. But I did try to make things different. I started with my cap and gloves off this time and put them on when it happened.

Goh: OK, yeah, that's different all right. Was it enough to get something?

Ash: Yeah! I got Favorite Male Character!

Me: Very nice! The effort can really work out sometimes.

Goh: That is great. And you had a good time at the place with your friends.

Ash: I did.

Me: Then that brings us to the second one, which was today and should be the same old food festival trying to bring in people.

Ash: Same place, same people, and all that. But I did come when there was a cheerleading competition before our stuff began.

Goh: So the festival brings in all kinds of organizers for different things.

Me: Goh is right. This seems to be the methodology for all kinds of festivals here for bringing in people.

Pikachu: Chu! Pika! [imitates cheering]

Goh: Can't blame them for trying. OK, so this time, did you try any of the food? I don't think we talked about that much in any of the past years. 

Ash: Well, back then it was only little bits of things, but this time I got to try quite a bit of things - enough for lunch and dinner. They always have a lot of things going on.

Goh: I would think. But then that also goes for our festival.

Ash: Just some dance groups this time, along with the character parade.

Me: Speaking of which... since you dealt with food, you didn't deal with that.

Ash: No - I thought it could be like three years ago when I came with the same outfit, so I spent the day eating and talking with your friends.

Me: Well, I think that's a good call. I'm sure the winners were "just that".

Ash: Um... yeah. "Just that."

Goh: After eating and talking with friends, then it was back to our friend.

Ash: Yup, just like that.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["All done after that."]

Me: So, after all that, the old saying is true again - the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Ash: But not completely! All your friends are (were) really different for each one.

Goh: I think both of you have your points.

Me: While I'm not sure what or where the next big one will be, there might just be some ways to make it different.

Ash: But Pokémon can always stay the same for us. 

Goh: That's a sure thing.

Me: Absolutely. It's a "go-to" for wherever we go to. You get my drift.

One year ago: Mega Evolution on Parade

Two years ago: On Half Decks and Full Decks

Three years ago: Spoiler Alert

Four years ago: Longing for Pokémon Donuts

Five years ago: The Fate of My Local Pokémon Hangouts

Six years ago: Competitor Ranks of the Silph League Arena

Seven years ago: Personal Branding

Eight years ago: To Judge and Be Judged

Nine years ago: Catering to Old and New Players

Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 9/12/2026

Today is Community Day Classic in Pokémon Go, but I'm going to preface it by saying that apparently, it will be the only kind of Community Day that will be present this month - which means that the non-Classic regular edition is absent. Nothing else has been stated (officially) about the plan, and some Trainers have associated the missing regular edition with Go Fest Mega Finale, with it taking a "bite" (and a big one at that) of the regular edition. Nevertheless, there is a "biting" element to this edition of Community Day Classic as well.

Since Totodile has already been done, it's obviously for a different Pokémon that can bite, and that would be for Gible, last seen in June 2021. When it's fully evolved to Garchomp through Gabite, it still learns the special move of Earth Power, and the bonus also remains triple XP for those who still seek it. As usual, there are extensions for Incense and Lure Modules, both with their modern lengths of three hours and and one hour, and photo bombs. Thus, the effort of updating past editions with modern features is still an ongoing one for this edition.

For that, some Gible in the wild as well as encounters from Field Research, Timed Research (community), and Special Research (paid, still with the title of "Just a Nibble") have the modern special background; the last of these also has the modern structure. Of course, those who still want to make the most of it can encounter a few more Gible past the main event hours by putting up Lure Modules up to 9 PM, which is also the cutoff for obtaining the special move as above and represents another added modern feature.

New this time is a Collection Challenge that is completed by catching a Gible and evolving it through its evolution line to earn Garchomp Mega Energy. This makes it the first time that the feature has returned since March this year, which is what I hinted in an earlier post. Certainly, it is well-deserved and becomes a novel implementation for it.

Meanwhile, as for my dealings with this edition, it's not exactly "mine", and there are good reasons for that, which are to be explained with the help of others...

Me: Right then, so it's the Gible line today. You have one, don't you?

Ash: Yeah! And we all know Cynthia has a Garchomp.

Goh: And then there's Mega Evolution and all that jazz.

Ash: You had me take care of this one in your area today. Luckily, I met a couple of your friends who could help out with that.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Good thing."]

Me: Well, don't expect it to happen every time with them. (I don't expect it to happen for myself either.) But at least today worked out somehow.

Ash: Yeah. We met at the mall and walked a little bit past it. I caught as many Gible as possible, completed the challenge, and then... went off for something else.

Goh: Well, if there's a "something else", that means our friend has something in mind - something that happens locally.

Me: Certainly. But that's for a separate discussion soon enough.

Without a regular or non-Classic edition for this month, it might seem that something is afoot with Pokémon Go - perhaps, not in this particular context. But having the ever-popular Gible line return for Community Day might be a satisfactory way to take a bite off the big things.

One year ago: Theia Sky Ruins, Subterranean Edition

Two years ago: No Lies... and Lies

Three years ago: A Win for the Ages

Four years ago: One-Minute Cooking in Café Remix

Five years ago: Hidden Tracked Statistics in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Let's Talk About Household Creatures

Seven years ago: And Intelligence

Eight years ago: Proud to Be a Clean Cosplayer

Nine years ago: Poké-Mobile Devices

When Pokémon Was 5...

When Pokémon was 5 - that is, five years old - it was in its infancy, and the Internet was about to head into its adolescent years. Back then too, blogging wasn't too much of a thing, social media was still "around the corner", and artificial intelligence was rudimentary - all things that may or may not have contributed to the execution of this blog as you see today. Yet it was also at that time that the franchise was shaping up... and the world effectively shaped up as well. 

When only five years had passed, the franchise was into its second generation and the third was "around the corner". They laid down the foundations for longtime fans like me that are also incidentally very strong in the face of certain hardships - at least for the dedicated ones. Those fans would also develop their potentials for remaining within the vein of the main series games or potentially branching out to others when the time came for them to be present.

When the games were a concern then, there were only really the main series games to deal with, and not much else beyond that or even on other devices, unlike the way things are today. Yet they were (and still are) good for instilling what matters about the namesake species of the franchise, including their associated lore and capabilities, which regardless of their presence in games or otherwise would remain relevant somehow, even if fans may not actually realize it.

When Pokémon was five years old, the world also experienced a big "blot" on a certain day... and that day is today, incidentally this year being "five by five" (that is, 25) years after the fact. It will be the only time I make a reference to it (and rather indirectly at that) since even Darkrai would likely feel inferior to that "blot" - and Darkrai wasn't even around when that happened. In any case, it scars the mind of people as it happened, whether or not they are Pokémon fans.

When Pokémon was in its fifth year, the franchise was effectively "coming to terms" with what can be possible for it in the present and future, while the world was "coming to terms" with the fact that it would effectively never be the same again. Yet that may be important as today is the result of yesterday, and things in life run their course. After 25 years, the world as well as Pokémon continue on their course, and what remains is all the developments up to today.

One year ago: My Pokémon Unite Boost Emblem Progress, Revisited

Two years ago: Why Do I Still Play Pokémon Unite?

Three years ago: Another Pokémon Watch

Four years ago: The Intricacy of Declining Raid Invitations

Five years ago: Greater Friendship Levels in Pokémon Go?

Six years ago: Getting Feline with Pokémon

Seven years ago: This Is It

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Club Cosplay Party

Nine years ago: Pokkén BanaPassports

Quickies: Getting More Boxed In

I actually live - specifically, at this very moment - in a rather confined space, being surrounded by houses in two of the four cardinal directions and environments that I can't modify in the other two. As such, in a way, I'm essentially "boxed in" with regard to my surroundings... and it seems that is becoming more of the case as the specific environments change on their own or are changed by other means. Of course, I'm inclined to regard it in a Pokémon manner and in doing so also bring it up on this blog.

For that concern, it may be said that on one side, a Stakataka has been brought in to help "box out" one of those sides for its purposes. Obviously, this means that in turn, I'm the one getting "boxed in", further than the state that it's already in. Though it's helpful, said Pokémon species can also be somewhat quirky when it comes to others closing in on its territory. That means exercising further caution than what may be needed, and that then implies a further "boxing in" by way of just trying to stay clear.

Meanwhile, it has been also the case that the wildlife - in this case, being interpreted as wild Pokémon species - have also been closing in on the territory of the place where I live. Some of these (like a wild Espurr) are in a way benign and at times welcomed, while others (like a group of miniature but still "savage" Durant) are much less so for both of the mentioned qualities. With their presence, needless to say, it's another way I'm becoming "boxed in" despite not being literally the case around them.

Anyone would understand that getting "boxed in" is not exactly the best of feelings, whether or not the feeling can be interpreted to have certain Pokémon elements with it. The above is my Pokémon interpretation of the "boxed in" situation within which I'm currently present, and it's fanciful if nothing else for this Pokémon fan. It's still a hard thing in any case (and harder still if things don't change for the better), but Pokémon seems to make it a little easier on my mind and perception for all it's worth.

One year ago: The Set Shop in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: High-Score Skip in Café Remix

Three years ago: Cosplay: Bocchi Noizu Mini Gathering

Four years ago: Quickies: Building with the "Builder Trio"

Five years ago: Wallpaper: Journeys Gap Ad

Six years ago: Multilingual Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Gym Tours

Eight years ago: (A Further) Local Ex-Raid, 9/10/2018

Nine years ago: Cosplay: BJF - Shizen ni Modoru

Come on Over by Twilight Trails

Get a life, get a grip

Get away somewhere, take a trip

Take a break, take control

Take advice from someone you know, oh

Come on over, come on in

Pull up a seat, take a load off your feet

Come on over, come on in

You can unwind, take a load off your mind...

-- "Come On Over", Shania Twain

The Pokémon Go season has transitioned - specifically, just yesterday - and the new season is at hand. Yet just like for a season from three years ago, I'm inspired to mark the transition with a musical interpretation, moreover since I had provided one for when the previous season began. As with three years ago, I kept the song choice to one by the same artist, and the song that is quoted above seems to fit the bill to mark the seasonal transition from the end of one to the beginning of another.

Being also the title track of one of the early albums of the singer, the song itself is an upbeat invitation to go somewhere and relax, which is especially evident by the parts I've quoted, being the first verse and chorus. It's enthusiastic, optimistic, and opportunistic - even more so for the artist of the song, who could have been said to be on the rise at the time of its and its album's release. The same could be said to apply to Pokémon matters too, especially with regard to the above situation.

With regard to the current Pokémon Go season, its title is definitely suggestive of paths (as "trails") by which Trainers in and of the game can venture through, possibly to encounter new challenges, opportunities, and so on. As such, the "coming over" suggestion is fulfilled by this imagery, and the above song fills in the rest of the imagery nicely. Even so, the "twilight" portion of things seems to be suggestive of not only pertinent matters at this time of year but also other shady matters (to be detailed later) that may come over.

Generally, the song's upbeat premises, in the other parts of the song beyond the ones I've quoted, are also something that Trainers of all kinds may stand up for and support each other for their achievement. Overall, the song itself could also be construed as an invitation for Trainers to keep up their Pokémon journey on whatever paths they go on (whether or not that pertains to Pokémon Go), as well as to "come over" and gather with other Trainers to deal with the paths they have treaded on - perhaps even against each other.

Pokémon certainly wasn't on the mind of the artist, as part of the songwriting team, when the song was first released (after all, it was only a year old at the time). Yet framing the song with a Pokémon context obviously works out quite well, in particular with the seasonal transition of Pokémon Go as I've intended it to be. With that, after the occurring transition for the latter game's season, now the effort lies in treading the "twilight trails" as suggested... and Pokémon species and Trainers can "come over" along the way.

One year ago: Possibility of a Universal Event "Claim All"?

Two years ago: Quickies: Odd Architecture, Here and There

Three years ago: The Lucky Wheel in Café Remix

Four years ago: The 2022 Silph Arena Continentals Meta

Five years ago: Capturing Toward the (Pokémon) Future

Six years ago: More Music from Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: The Music of TCGO

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Tachiagare

Nine years ago: My Book of Days

Celebrity Favorites for "Pokémon 30"

Ideally, the post I write up for today should have come (a lot) sooner - perhaps applicable in more ways than one - but it is what it is. Earlier this year, I had written up about the "What's Your Favorite?" campaign, which is also effectively a star-studded commemoration for this year's big Pokémon anniversary. For that, I do want to identify the celebrities that are part of the campaign, along with the species they state as their favorite, and to give a personal breakdown of their selections - in particular, those that were featured on the Instagram post.

Some of the featured celebrities are those who deal with the world of music, one of them being the aforementioned Lady Gaga (whose favorite is Jigglypuff); the Pokémon is known for its 12-octave range and it therefore meshes with her musical style. Then, there are Jisoo of K-pop girl band Blackpink fame (whose favorite is Eevee) who has cited the transformative nature of the species, perhaps much like the girl band itself, and Young Miko (whose favorite is Gengar), a Caribbean rapper who could be construed to have a sharp and distinct style, and so does the Pokémon species of choice. They're all well-liked for these well-liked artists.

Then, there are a couple of featured athletes. Charles Leclerc (whose favorite is Arcanine) is known for his prowess behind the wheel of an F1 car; it's speedy, but so is that very Pokémon, who might just be able to stand in for the vehicle if he lets it - which could seem to be the case. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal (whose favorite is Zygarde in its Complete Forme) had just recently helped Spain to earn a soccer world champ title, and both are particularly known for their abilities - extreme ones at that, both off and on the pitch. If these two athletes have something to say, it may be that their favorite species also define themselves and back.

As for the rest of the featured celebrities, they may be considered "offbeat" ones. Comedy fans will likely recognize Trevor Noah (whose favorite is Psyduck) from his show ventures, especially one on the air; the choice of the Pokémon may be one of bewilderment, with particular regard to psychic and comedic power. Then there's Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (whose favorite is Luxray), an actress who is likely recognizable from some contemporary roles, including one for an animation in a neighboring universe... which might partially explain the choice of the species in addition to its Electric-type personality. They're "offbeat" yet so are their complements.

With these celebrities, the selection represents a great swath of pop culture media and lifestyle, which can be said to be the same for Pokémon nowadays in all its forms. Whether or not Pokémon can be verified to have an impact on said celebrities, the impact of their stated favorites may just be very effective for existing fans and captivating for those for whom Pokémon may be only a cursory interest. They make their favorites especially attractive for themselves and fans in general, and that is definitely worth it for this year's big anniversary.

One year ago: Sharing Results in (and from) Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: On Getting Rained Out and Rained On with Pokémon

Three years ago: The Persistence of Theia Sky Ruins in Pokémon Unite

Four years ago: Like a Headless Torchic... or Pokémon

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Multiple Pokédexes, Realized

Six years ago: Pokémon Documentaries?

Seven years ago: The New Flavors of Pokémon

Eight years ago: Other Uses of Pokémon Go

Nine years ago: Incubators in Pokémon Go

Cosplay: Cosplay Creator and Community Convention (C4) 2026

Me: Well, I think you two already gave it away - Goh by sense, Ash by happening.

Ash, Goh: C4!!

Ash: But this time it was on time, not like last year.

Me: Indeed. So on schedule that in fact it had to coincide with the Go Fest Max Finale.

Goh: Coincide...? So this was yesterday and two days ago, like it usually is?

Ash: Nope, just yesterday.

Goh: Huh. I wonder what happened.

Pikachu: Pika chu, pika pika? ["Me too, curious?"]

Me: Maybe they didn't want it to not work out just in case things happen, like last year. Or the organizers are "broke", in a manner of speaking.

Ash: Well, they still seemed to have everything just in one day - the booths, stages, and so on. It kind of looked like ChibiCon for one day.

Goh: Did it have a throng of people too?

Ash: Yeah. Right when I bought my ticket to go in and all day.

Goh: All day, minus the time you were at the Mega Finale meetup.

Ash: Yeah, that.

Goh: I'll bet you missed a few things.

Me: Well, I'm sure he'd miss any semblance of a character competition.

Ash: I know that would happen. 

Pikachu: Pika... ["Well..."]

Me: And maybe he'd miss certain acts on stage... like a certain band.

Ash: Aw man! I saw their name on the stage bumper but didn't see them while I was there, before and after.

Goh: Well, maybe you'll see them sometime else.

Ash: Sure - whenever that'll be. 

Me: Oh, I've just realized: I sent you with your Kalos outfit again like last year, but you didn't deal with anything related to characters.

Ash: It was mostly for the Mega Finale, which is from Kalos, right?

Me: Right you are. I was mostly thinking about that.

Goh: I guess you can think of this year like an extension of last year instead of a new experience.

Pikachu: Chu pika. ["Makes sense."]

Ash: Well, that's true.

Me: But you did get to meet my friends as usual, right?

Ash: Yup - the ones near and far. I spent the morning with one.

Goh: And then you got involved in the communities.

Ash: A bit with the tile game one this time. Oh, and I just browsed through all the merchandise and didn't get anything in particular.

Me: That's OK. You didn't have to this time - maybe at a future convention, either this one or something else.

Ash: Hey, but the future looks good for this one.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika! ["Looks real good."]

Goh: As long as it doesn't hit a snag - or our friend runs into a snag with a Pokémon thing.

Me: Well, that. But life goes on.

Ash: Gotta get next year going, then.

Goh: And don't you have other things to get going too?

Me: That's very true - for Pokémon and else, for conventions and else. 

One year ago: Cosplay: Dalbo Fest Fifth Anniversary

Two years ago: Cosplay: Small Business Showcase

Three years ago: Paldea in Pokémon Go: Catching Up, Skipping Out

Four years ago: Rising to the Occasion: Theia Sky Ruins

Five years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: More Selections

Six years ago: The Charisma of Pokémon Personalities

Seven years ago: TCG, Order and Chaos

Eight years ago: Artistic Routine

Nine years ago: Pokémon Song, Indonesian Flavor

Pokémon Go Fest 2026 (Global), Mega Finale

I mentioned a "catch-up opportunity" in my previous post, and that was for a good reason: a finale edition of Pokémon Go Fest is once again instituted for this year. Like last year, it's a mainly two-day happening on the weekend, though it is supported by a week-long event (certainly, to be detailed later). This time, evidently, it's all about Mega Evolution, which has possessed a significance of its own in the game - and this "Mega Finale" honors that significance while wrapping up the festivities, as well as the season.

As usual, the Mega Evolution forms appear by way of raids, this time all divided up into four habitats repeated once both yesterday and today over the period of 10 AM to 6 PM. They also include ones that were previously instituted as Super Mega Raids throughout this year starting from Go Tour and then the Raid Day events, this time just as regular Mega Raids with no shields to break. The catch-up element becomes apparent in this way for anyone whose Mega Energy is lacking and can afford to raid if possible.

But it's not the only one. Also in it for catching up is Mewtwo in its Mega forms, X yesterday and Y today, though rewarding a different background (if one is fortunate) and without the raid perks of the main Go Fest event. In addition, for the first time in seven years, Armored Mewtwo from the movie event in July 2019 returns, allowing those who haven't caught it to catch it by modern standards with various sizes, but still not in Shiny form. The finale event may thus be considered as Mewtwo-centric as it is Mega-centric, like the main one.

Since the Mega Evolution forms are found in raids, their predecessors in evolution are also found in the wild (and some Field Research tasks) during each habitat, accompanied by other species of similar types and supporting roles. The three first partners or starters of Kalos also appear in the wild, regardless of habitat, to supplement what can be gained from the accompanying event's Go Pass (to be detailed shortly)... for this Mega Finale also serves as the debut of the Mega Evolution forms of these Pokémon, though not by way of raiding them.

Then there is the Go Pass. It has a number of encounters with one of the Kalos first partners, which is selected by way of a Timed Research set. There are some items as well, but most of the first 100 ranks are filled with Mega Energy of various Mega Evolution forms, which may be useful for those who rarely have the chance to raid for them (even in this instance). The rest of the 500 ranks are composed of mostly Stardust as usual, while the real value is in the first partner encounters, which have a background when caught and could be Shiny.

Like last year, I took care of the first day yesterday in my local area and today in a faraway area, though today was also for a different and more "usual" reason that makes this year's instance a diversion, in addition to it being a diversion itself with some friends...

Goh: I seem to recall that we talked about something similar... oh, here we go, around a year ago too. Would it have something to do with that?

Me: Hmm, maybe. You know, it's as if I had planned it.

Ash: It was all today!

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Like that."]

Goh: Well, I can't wait to find out what happened. But for the Mega thing...

Ash: I just took care of what our friend needed with the raids and all.

Me: Great! It shouldn't have been too much.

Ash: But Mega Evolution is always a big thing.

Goh: Can't argue with that.

Me: This year is a big one in many ways.

One more thing: this event is precisely why the next Pokémon Go season is deferred, so this becomes the real peak - or at least, it was previewed. As the season ends on a high note, the Mega Evolution journey in Pokémon Go continues for whatever else it might offer next.

One year ago: Pokémon (and Other) Diversions

Two years ago: The Good and Evil of Ace Spec Cards

Three years ago: Why Do I Still Play Pokémon Go?

Four years ago: Pelipper's Carry-Ons

Five years ago: The Silph Arena Continentals Meta

Six years ago: Multiple Pokédexes in Pokémon Go?

Seven years ago: Local Tailors and My Cosplay Costumes

Eight years ago: A New 3DS Story: A Second Monster Home

Nine years ago: Personalities

Returning for Mega Opportunities

September 5 is the day is when I usually discuss my return to playing Pokémon Go since nine years ago (see below), and in that regard this post will be no different. What becomes the differentiator this time - aside from the topic that I choose to tie into the discussion, also the case for past years - is that the post also becomes a tie-in for a certain Pokémon affair to come, and will be separately detailed in a post and discussion all its own. Yet that topic is pretty much already indicative, given the title of this specific post.

But first, there is the "return" aspect to deal with. Every point I make about my return to Pokémon Go in past years is essentially an opportunity in some form, and the posts from the past years may be construed to be indicative of some of the forms that those opportunities may take. Even I'm still discovering them, especially last year and this year, when I've taken some big steps in dealing with how I play the game - particularly by the twists of the game itself and others who play it. That could be considered something "mega" to deal with.

Then there's the topic at hand. The game has had Mega Evolution for the better part of six years now, and there have been a lot of opportunities for introducing novelties related to it as well as the species related to it, including some of the newest ones (Dragonite, Victreebel, and so on) and the ones that Trainers have long waited for (Mewtwo, and previously Metagross and others). For that, the game has done a somewhat good job of implementing as well as preserving the concept for past and present Mega opportunities.

Now, with all the species of the "first batch" having their Mega forms and the "second batch" being gradually introduced, Trainers are given a great opportunity to feel like they're playing the original sixth-generation games and the new "add-on" Legends game alongside their real-world adventure. What's left is the future for the ones that haven't been introduced, and as or before that happens, it is a good idea to make sure one is caught up with what is present; the opportunities to make that happen may be either fortunate or remarkable.

Many years after I've returned, a whole lot (or by this post's descriptor, "mega") has developed for Pokémon Go, and that goes for the player side and the technical side - even if it's just as rough as it is pleasant. By extension, that also means a whole lot of opportunities for a lot of facets related to Pokémon, which at present admittedly has quite a bit to do with Mega Evolution and whatever Trainers can or have mustered for that. For other opportunities and returns (by other people), the efforts and results could be "mega" as well.

One year ago: The Two Faces of My Return

Two years ago: Wishing Others' Return

Three years ago: Point of (No) Return?

Four years ago: Return Back, Return Forward

Five years ago: Returns in Various Guises

Six years ago: Returns Come and Go

Seven years ago: Return, Return, Return, Return...

Eight years ago: A Happy Return

Nine years ago: Here I Go (Again)

TCGP: Team Rocket Takes Over, with Ambition

Team Rocket seems to have a way of getting into different Pokémon games and particularly ones beyond their region of concern (Kanto, and sometimes Johto). Their latest foray is now the Pocket version of Pokémon TCG, by which their entry is through an expansion of their own. Actually, it's substantially more than that, and thus the entry can be considered a "takeover" in line with other games with their presence. As such, this coverage of the new expansion will be comparatively more substantial, even "ambitious" in that regard.

With that, the new expansion is a Themed Booster Pack that is titled "Team Rocket's Ambition", which has a red accent that is as red as the Team Rocket "R". Its 72 numbered cards and 38 overnumbered cards (110 in total) hold some dark secrets, including the three Legendary birds of Kanto but belonging to the nefarious team (which indeed appear on the pack image), and the expansion's only "immersive" card being not a Pokémon card, but a Supporter card. The topsy-turvy possibilities are highly apparent.

Among the 66 Pokémon cards in the numbered section as well as their "full art" variants in the overnumbered section, many of them are indicated as "belonging" to Team Rocket, making them the first cards in TCGP with this distinction. Then, the pack also introduces 2 Item cards, 3 Supporter cards, and 1 Stadium card - not much to speak of, but what effects they may have could be quite detrimental to the player or opponent, especially when coupled with the attacks that the Pokémon of this expansion already possess.

Of course, the "takeover" is much more than that. The title or splash screen has been modified to have a scarlet aura with cards of the expansion. Then, there is an accompanying event for the time that the expansion is prime, which includes a special shop that is accessed by secret means that some main series players will find familiar. Some battles involving cards of the expansion will also have special music instead of the more common pieces. In more ways than one, this certainly makes for a "total takeover" of things.

Perhaps it may be apt to describe the presence of Team Rocket anywhere they may be present as an "organized chaos"; that description seems to be quite appropriate for their current presence in TCGP as well, thanks to this new (minor) expansion or Themed Booster Pack. Its elements are elegantly crazy - including for the background "takeover" event with which it comes along - and that can be something that some players can take advantage of to make sure that some (better) ambitions can be fulfilled.

One year ago: Cosplay: DH x AM Cosplay Festival

Two years ago: Galar in Pokémon Go: Filling in the Blanks

Three years ago: TCG Live Is Live! (...Mostly?)

Four years ago: The Food Element Categories of Café Remix

Five years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: The Lighter Side

Six years ago: Worlds Within Worlds

Seven years ago: The New PvP Charged Move Mechanism

Eight years ago: AFA ID in Memoriam

Nine years ago: Cold as the Winds

Collection Challenges, Wherefore Art Thou?

By now, it's clear that a post with a title appended by the three-word question as with this one will deal with something that's been curiously missing for some time. This time it's in the realm of Pokémon Go, something that rarely has missing things, but in this case it's something that may be of certain significance. Since 2021, Collection Challenges have graced the game as an optional part of events that may also be engaging for those events. However, the feature has been curiously absent since early this year, and that becomes a prompt for writing up this post and discussing what may be the relevant circumstances to explain its absence.

Recall that last March, events started to be organized differently by adding Go Passes to them and/or making them less frequent (although the former then becomes another source of complaints, which may be discussed later). The Pokopia event then also happened to be the one which last had the feature, after which the absence occurred. Then in June and earlier, there was the reorganization of Today View, which was perhaps more vital than adding an instance of Collection Challenge. All these may or may not be the reasons that the feature went absent, but some of their complications at least may have had a hand.

The feature's absence also demands a reflection of its implementation all these years. Some of the instances have been challenging (which suits its name), but others have also been way too challenging, like the rather large ones of early editions of Go Tour or ones where multiple Pokémon need to be hatched out of Eggs that have poor chances (or the Trainers themselves were simply not fortunate enough). Yet others could be completed within timescales that are rather short, perhaps making them not "challenging" enough for what they are.

Perhaps for all of those possibilities, a break in its action may be well-deserved for the feature and Trainers who have expected it. Still, the break seems to have gone on long enough and they are interested in another instance of the feature. And by reports, that seems to be about to happen sooner rather than later, which could be regarded for fans of the feature (like yours truly) despite its share of "challenges" regarding its challenges (ahem). Thus, the return of the feature is and would be also very well-deserved for affirming its provisions.

Challenges constantly exist in Pokémon Go, with or without the above feature that explicitly provides that element, but the challenge in having to deal with the above feature's absence is quite a different one and is perhaps revealing of the elements of the game. With that, its recent absence is one that has to be duly noted and reasoned out, for the hope that its return can bring about challenges that are more receptive to Trainers and Pokémon Go.

One year ago: TCGP: A Visit to the Secluded Springs

Two years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru 9 x Idol Stage

Three years ago: The Pole Position of Adventures Abound

Four years ago: Tournament: Raid Group Open Great League

Five years ago: You Made Me a...

Six years ago: Let's Play and Pokémon

Seven years ago: Pokémon and Music Games, Revisited

Eight years ago: (Late and Great) Local Ex-Raid, 9/3/2018

Nine years ago: Bandai Pokémon XY Swing - Pikachu

Technology Collaborations with Pokémon

This year is a special anniversary year for Pokémon, being its 30th year, something that bears repeating even now as it's transitioning. With such a lengthy presence, many entities outside of the franchise now also want in on it - as in, they want to collaborate with it. That includes some entities that deal with technology, specifically companies that produce certain devices, for whom Pokémon appeals to them for collaboration. Now (as well as further back), those companies have made their collaborations for Pokémon fans to enjoy.

Sandisk, the external storage company, recently came up with external drives that have motifs of certain Pokémon species. They comprise a flash drive featuring Mew and a portable SSD featuring Mewtwo - billed as emblematic of "mystical" and great power, for which the drives should allow for that. Even a little further back, they also came up with SD cards featuring Pokémon with additional Nintendo Switch branding, possibly for use in the consoles. Either way, the appeal and power of Pokémon is recognized.

Meanwhile, Polaroid as the company known for instant photos came up with new cameras for instant photos decked out with Pokémon colors - specifically those of Pikachu, Poké Ball, and Sylveon. To complete the gear, there are also camera cases, straps, and album cases with the Poké Ball motif, as well as instant photo films for use with the cameras that have some familiar (and favorite) Pokémon species on them. These instant photos are certainly all about making memories, and now they come with a neat Pokémon touch.

For the one that's somewhat further back, that would be Razer, the company of gaming peripherals. Their "Pokémon Collection" spans the gamut of keyboards, mice, deskpads, and headphones or earpads in terms of devices as well as Pikachu, Gengar, and more in terms of the featured Pokémon. These devices are primarily PC-centric, a realm where Pokémon is hardly present, but with Pokémon, their gaming flavor remains evident; the devices are a welcome addition for different Pokémon fans.

Whether they are of this year or were from past years, any collaboration with Pokémon is surely welcomed by its fans, especially for a special year like this one and if it involves products that are relevant to them. The case of the above technological products by the respective companies in collaboration with Pokémon makes it clear that they can acknowledge fans of this franchise and serve their (technological) needs, with or without a direct relationship to Pokémon but still having the particular flair of that very franchise.

One year ago: An Important Transformation: A New Level Cap

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/31/2024

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 9/2/2023

Four years ago: Cryptic Field Research Tasks?

Five years ago: Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: A Necessary Outreach

Six years ago: Mega Evolution Quibbles in Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Two Flavors of Pokémon Stickers

Eight years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru! -the fifth-

Nine years ago: (Self) References