Playing the Meta Game

In many games, there is a term that gets around. That term is the one I wish to discuss in this post, and that is "meta". "Meta" is Greek for "after" or "beyond", but could also be taken to mean as "high". Thus the "meta game" can be understood as the highest abstraction of the game. This concept very much also applies to the Pokémon games, and in fact has been quite conceptualized in the main series. It's something that I and many players have to wrap our heads around every time we play.

For the Pokémon games, the meta game involves Pokémon and the strategies, techniques, et cetera that revolve around them. In the main series, this resolves to specific Pokémon and how their moves, stats, and so on are set to deal with adversaries. This even leads to another term, the "anti meta", which is designed to counter the meta game. With the changing of the VGC ruleset each year, different approaches come to manifest themselves according to the restrictions. Building a team entails knowing what approaches to use and which ones to expect.

Abstractions and therefore a meta game also appear to exist for other Pokémon games. I play Shuffle a lot, and the Competitive Stages have a large role to play in making a meta game transparent. Though I don't go up against someone directly, my performance is still compared among others who play the stages. Further, each time a new stage comes up, because the ranking and Pokémon usage is visible to every player, the competition practically distills to the best Pokémon that can do the job. This is effectively the meta game for that; the meta game for other stages are disclosed through other means.

Even in Go there seems to be a meta game. While the game still had only first-generation Pokémon, Dragonite was present in many Gyms as a powerful adversary. When the second-generation Pokémon entered, Tyranitar became a second one. It's hard not to expect Salamence to become a third one once its species family makes it in. As for the combatant side of things, my fellows have come up with a way with certain Pokémon to take care of some raids, even when many people can't take part. This too becomes the manifestation of a meta game.

As a fellow Pokémon colleague had said, the meta game is present in pretty much any game. Based on my experience, this seems to be quite the case even in Pokémon games; if things in a game can be coded into a highly systematic abstraction, then that is essentially the meta game. It has been done, and it certainly will happen again as the games are fleshed out further. It's safe to say that as players of Pokémon games, we'll have to continually be dealing with the meta game as something that transcends our games and play approaches.

One year ago: Cosplay: AsiA Cosplay Competition, Day 1

My Pokémon Show

I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go; can't do it alone, I've tried
And I don't know why
I'm just a little girl (boy) lost in the moment
I'm so scared but I don't show it
I can't figure it out; it's bringing me down, I know
I've got to let it go - and just enjoy the show
-- "The Show", Lenka (addition mine)

After what had transpired with VGC and Go, I've realized that in my mastering ways, I still need some help. Further, it seems things - Pokémon or otherwise - are changing in unexpected ways. And in any case, I need to stay strong. That's why I'm suddenly reminded of this song, as it describes my state of affairs. In a way, I hate to admit it, but it's so true. This becomes my Pokémon "show" for me to enjoy.

I went out again with my raid fellows today to try to catch the raid monsters, including the newly unleashed Kyogre; I was able to go on two raids. The raids were successful, but the captures were not. I'll admit, I'm a bit of a clumsy fellow, so that is why in part the captures failed. It's a puzzling thing that I can't seem to get past. They've graciously provided their assistance, and I've accepted it, but things still happen. Whatever happens, there will be more opportunities, as Kyogre has only recently appeared. But most importantly, I contributed in their effort to try to initiate another Ex-Raid. Whether or not it happens, I have to keep my spirits up.

On the VGC front, there is a tournament scheduled for tomorrow, and I am quite unprepared for it. This too is a puzzling thing. I already know I need quite a bit of assistance for this one, and I will need to use the assistance offerings wisely. Still, I also have my own vision for this, and I need to marry this with the assistance offerings. It's just a matter of keeping my spirits up and making sure the preparations are executed as planned. Though considering that now is already crunch time for tomorrow, I will have to simply make do for the next one.

The point of the song is that life is a "show" for everyone included to enjoy (that is, go through). That includes my Pokémon-filled life, where things like these can happen. I may look like a fool for that, but that's because of the attachment I have, which is never enough... just as the song states in another part. I can "ask for my money back" - again stated elsewhere in the song - but I won't, and I'll just keep enjoying the show. It's the least I can do with Pokémon with me.

Welcome to my Pokémon "show". I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

One year ago: Pokémon and Cosplay

Another Big Shuffle Update

Recently, Pokémon Shuffle on the 3DS had a major update that required downloading from the eShop, something that I became alerted to when I tried to check in as usual. The gameplay didn't change, but there were a lot of things that changed that made the gameplay more favorable. I've gone through many of the newly changed or added things, and I can say that they're to the benefit of all players.

The most important new thing is Trainer Rank, which depends on Pokémon that are caught. Each different species of Pokémon caught (and therefore different forms don't count) contributes to the Trainer Rank, and by increasing the rank, all sorts of bonuses are earned, including certain Mega Stones. This means such a bonus effectively replaces Competitive Stages of the past, where the Mega Stones used to be earned. I've been playing from near the beginning, and since I already have the Stones, I got Level Ups instead. The rest of the bonuses are the usual menagerie of items and enhancements, but are still useful.

Speaking of bonuses, the check-in bonus is no longer limited to coins. Along with coins, players can get items and enhancements, which are by themselves indeed useful. They're given out on a daily basis, so players must continue checking in to get the stuff. I check in on a fairly regular basis, so I'm not worried, and in fact this drives me to check in regularly, which could also be expected of other players with this change. It's an excellent one that rewards a lot.

Aside from this, there are even more changes all over the place. There is an "Undo" button next to "Optimize" to select a previous party for a stage. Some Special Stages now detail their rewards or drops so players can expect what they will get. Jewels can now be used to unlock many Main Stages at once. Pokémon List is simplified - now Pokémon are only shown as caught or not caught, and those not caught can be directly filtered as well. Finally, a "Credits" button is added to the menu so that players can see just who are involved in making the game. These are all appreciable changes, no matter how small.

Shuffle is a great game for those who enjoy it. With this major update, that great game just got a lot better. It makes for a more favorable experience whether for players that are just starting out or veteran players like me. I'm excited to continue playing Shuffle on my 3DS because of these changes, and I hope the game gets even better, as does my experience playing it.

One year ago: In-Game Trainer Name Inspirations

A Song for the Lonely, et Cetera

This is a song - for the lonely
Can you hear me tonight?
For the broken-hearted, battle-scarred
I'll be by your side
And this is a song - for the lonely
When your dreams won't come true
Can you hear this prayer?
'Cause someone's there for you
-- "Song for the Lonely", Cher

While on the "raid ride" that I participated in on Tuesday, I carried my 3DS to pass the time while I could not be as active in the game. Unfortunately, as I progressed, I hit something and so did my 3DS. Although the damage was minor and my 3DS could still function, it was still somewhat unfortunate, considering that this 3DS has had its share of troubles. That was what in part led me to think of this song... and it leads me to think about Pokémon as well.

The key word is of course "battle", present in the chorus, which I've quoted above. It is pretty hard not to talk about battles when it comes to Pokémon, at least in most cases. Specifically, my 3DS has been with me through many Pokémon battles, in the main series or otherwise. It has its own "battle scars", most recently the ones that occurred on Tuesday. Yet with all that, it still functions for me; I'm glad that this is the case, and I'm glad that it's always been by my side, as an echo of the chorus. Here's hoping that my 3DS survives for as long as it can.

As for the song itself, it is uplifting no matter what state of affairs things are in. Back on Tuesday, it was that I never found raid companions until that point, and when I succeeded with Porygon and Groudon, my spirits were lifted, almost following the words of the song. I was elated, and that's when the song came to my mind. Now looking at the state of affairs of other Pokémon things, I'm inspired to be uplifted by recalling this song. I even envision the characters of the Pokémon anime (which despite differences are still very much linked to the games) coming together and singing this song, almost like the music video for this very song.

This is such a good song, and becomes an even better song when Pokémon becomes considered. There's a lot of success to be made with Pokémon, and certainly just as many if not more failures. But through them all, there's something to be said for maintaining high spirits. I'm certain that that's what I'll need for upcoming Pokémon things, whether they be in the main series, or in games like Go as what transpired earlier. At the least, I'm not as lonely now.

One year ago: My Path Through the Main Series

A Pokémon-Pikachu Balloon

Balloons make any festive occasion more festive. Of course, they're also festive any time, which explains why they are also sold in certain places. While on an errand today, I saw a really good-looking Pikachu and Pokémon balloon for sale by a balloon vendor. It was so good-looking and decently priced that I had to just pick it up not only for the purpose of making it mine, but also to evaluate its merits in a post.

The balloon is a circular cushion-like balloon, which looks thin from certain angles and round otherwise. The design on the round parts feature the colors of white and yellow, as well as Pikachu and the Pokémon logo. What makes the balloon design neat is that it's double-sided, and each side has a unique design. One side has one Pikachu image, and the other side has a different one. And on one of the sides, the logo is placed in Pikachu's tail. I question this design choice, but it seems to work nonetheless.

At the least the design does not incorporate the Go emblem, in that way appearing more universal. This is also a floating balloon, as may be evident from the pictures; the fact that floating balloons may be hard to come by nowadays brings some concern as to what may be inside the balloon. Still, a floating balloon is a nice touch and lends itself to different settings, at least until it naturally deflates, something that is true of any balloon. By then the balloon could be usable as an ornament.

This balloon has all the makings of a good Pokémon merchandise with an attractive design and a unique appearance, though admittedly this kind of merchandise does not stay in its current shape for a long time. It really is a festive one, considering merchandise of a similar type. Perhaps it really was meant to make that errand that I was on today a little more festive.

One year ago: Where It All Started

Hitching a Raid Ride

If you've been reading this blog, you know that I've only returned to Pokémon Go only a few months back, and I just claimed my team a few weeks back. I've had some fun with that, by working the Gyms normally as much as I possibly can, but I have never been able to participate in what is considered the current supreme activity related to Gyms, which is to participate in raid battles. That changed in the spur of an evening, on this very day.

Earlier, I had made connections in a most unusual manner, and I did so with a local raid group. The people there have been able to participate in raids in a coordinated manner, yet I hadn't been able to, for one reason or another. Over the past week, members of the group had received invites to an Ex-Raid downtown, thereby setting up a rendezvous. It was this situation that I took advantage of, and I set out, knowing that I at least could meet up and still do other things on Go even though the others were focused on the Ex-Raid. Sure enough, it happened.

While I was able to play Go as normal, a more important thing occurred. Thanks to the Ex-Raid, I was able to meet many of my group mates for the first time. They're warm, friendly, and most of all, helpful. Although I didn't participate in the Ex-Raid, I was able to participate in another nearby raid that started just a few moments after the Ex-Raid ended. Cooperation with the others was able to net me a Porygon, an interesting Pokémon in and of itself. It was the first time I succeeded in a raid cooperatively, after failing miserably as an individual.

But that was not all. The group invited me to participate in two level 5 raids with Groudon that happened just off downtown. It was an offer I accepted based on convenience and camaraderie, and their assistance was immeasurable, as this was really a raid that needed a coordinated effort, more so on my end. One of the senior members assisted with transportation (hence, the title of this post is a play on that) and another member assisted to keep my phone going. In the first raid, I made it to the end, but I failed to catch Groudon. In the second raid, I had to use up my hard-earned PokéCoins for a Premium Raid Pass, but it was worth it, because in the end I managed to catch Groudon. This becomes a meaningful experience.

Once again, I'm on the far left.

I would like to say thank you to everyone involved in this evening's raid effort and for their assistance. It's truly been an awesome experience. I too would like to apologize if I became a bit of a burden, though this is now water under the bridge given the awesome experience. This Go player is delighted to have had such an experience. It is my express wish that I can replicate the experience at another point in time, and hitch on to another raid... and possibly a ride as well!

One year ago: A Tale of Two Shirts

The Three-Count

Any Pokémon fan knows that in the games, a Pokémon capture from a battle is not instantaneous, at least in most cases. After throwing a Poké Ball and the Pokémon becomes encapsulated, there is a delay that occurs before the capture is regarded as successful. It is this delay that I have dubbed as the "three-count" because that delay is composed of three short moments that precede the successful capture. This is present in any game where Poké Balls are concerned, including Go.

After the battle has taken place, a Poké Ball is thrown, the Pokémon is encapsulated, and the three-count begins. At any time during the three-count, the Pokémon may manage to break free of its capture hold, even just before or after the three-count has taken place. But if after the three short moments the Pokémon does not resist, then the capture becomes successful. This three-count is in particular emphasized in Shuffle with three spotlights that shine on the Poké Ball and in Go as the view zooms onto the Poké Ball.

This three-count is remarkably similar to what happens in boxing when a combatant goes down, only that it's a ten-count in boxing before the combatant is declared to have lost by knockout. Likewise, the combatant may nullify the count by getting back up, similar to when a Pokémon resists capture. It's an interesting parallel to be sure, not the least of which is because of the combat-oriented nature of Pokémon and boxing; it almost makes them superficially related.

This seems like such a small thing about Pokémon, but it's one that players of different games are exposed to, and possibly on a frequent basis. Moreover, it's something that is linked almost by principle to something that is real. At the least, this helps players of the games perceive something that is only visualized through screens. I say that is a wonderful thing for all Pokémon fans.

One year ago: On the Subject of Go