Taking It All Home

Baby come come now, pick it up up up

If you wanna take it home

Baby come come now, with ya love love love

If you wanna take it home

Like, where do we come, where do we go

Baby right nah nah nah

Where do we come, where do we go

Baby come come now, with ya love love love

If you wanna take it, you wanna take it home...

-- "Take It Home", Mabel

Speaking of songs, there is this one to take care of, which I've divulged at the end of last month for the anniversary road post, exactly one week ago. Those who are not in tune with current trends in music (like me, I'll have to admit) might find this an odd artist, but she's actually quite successful. She's part Swedish and part English, and she just had her first major success a few years ago. With that recent of a breakthrough singing career, she is a novel addition to the P25 Music program, especially with this song.

This bouncy little number is an R&B song featuring her distinctive vocals. It comes along with a music video that has quite a bit of dancing and Pokémon appearance, thanks to the presence of Jigglypuff and Pikachu, though Jigglypuff is the primary one this time around. The part that I've quoted above is from the chorus, and it becomes evident how this song is "bouncy": even in the chorus there is quite a bit of repetition, which carries the feeling through and all over as the song progresses.

Some people have said that they have a hard time seeing how this song fits in with Pokémon, but considering the lyrics, it shouldn't be hard to tell. The lyrics contain "I'm your champion", "by your side", and "we can't lose", all of which are ultimate goals for Trainers and their partner Pokémon. Reading between the lines, the entire song can be construed as representing the journey of Trainers with their partner Pokémon wherever it might take them - yes, even home - and this is also evident in the chorus above.

This musical pick for the P25 music project is rather trendy and contemporary, which is a given because the artist is exactly just that, with her success having come rather recently. It is also inclusive of certain Pokémon concepts if one is willing to look hard enough and believe in them, just like a Trainer would for their partner Pokémon. The new and latest addition to the music program ought to satisfy those with current and specialty music tastes, as well as Pokémon fans who just can't wait to bring it all to the place to be.

One year ago: Sponsored PokéStops and Gyms in Pokémon Go

Two years ago: The Persistence of Legendary Raid Hours

Three years ago: Poké Ball Mini Pokémon Figures

Four years ago: Metal Unova Cap Pikachu Keychain

New Normal... and Still Loving

We welcome you

To the new normal era

My dear

And now we hope

Things will be back to normal

The normal just like as it was before

-- "New Normal Cinta (New Normal Love)", Slank (adaptive lyrical translation)

The entire Pokémon Go debacle that happened over the course of the past few days has become a reminder that everyone, including Pokémon Go Trainers and Pokémon fans in general, have been in a state of "new normal" ever since current conditions broke out. And yet even in those conditions, those fans and Trainers have managed to show their devotion, dedication, and attraction - their "love", so to speak. And of love during these times, there is a song I've heard recently that I've come to appreciate and encapsulates much of the sentiments of love, considerably of different kinds.

The song is, as expected and in any case, still directed to romantic love, as it brings up all the things that one should (and need) to do during these times, particularly if one is about to meet one's partner. The song also comes with a music video on YouTube and an English translation of the lyrics there... but I consider the translation somewhat poor, so I'm not even going to link to it. The "adaptive lyrical translation" above - mine - is intended as a translation that is composed well, lines up with the original message and meter of the song, and can be sung; the above is from its chorus.

Even for Pokémon things, and especially for Pokémon Go, it still holds true to do all the things that one needs to do as mentioned in the song. It also lines up with the warning that is applied in all news updates on the official blog in current times, which is to maintain awareness of surroundings and being compliant with the guidelines of local health authorities, which also goes back to all the mentioned things. In short, one can still play Pokémon Go, but one has to be wise, be safe, and be willing to follow what should be followed to stay healthy to play and while playing, an important point for Pokémon Go.

Speaking of which, Niantic has broken the silence regarding the debacle, and they have said that they listened and will review the relevant issues to the debacle, both internally with a task force and externally with community leaders. Even so, some may consider the response to be seemingly a bit long-winded and vague despite addressing the relevant points, and delayed as the final word will be given at the end of this month. They may seem to need to "love" the "new normal" to be able to eventually respond appropriately, while hopefully the community has done just that.

For those who haven't gotten the message, the world has entered a state that is unlike the earlier normal, and thus, it's a "new normal". But if the above song has anything to say about it, it is that people can still love - whoever and whatever, and yes, including Pokémon. All the same, it has presented challenges, as with the Pokémon Go debacle above, that need to be resolved to get by in order to continue living and loving. And then, there's the hope that at some point things can get back to the normal just like as it used to be, and that ought to come with love all around, even Pokémon love.

One year ago: The Look of Pikachu

Two years ago: There Is Always a Way

Three years ago: (More) Plastic Poké Balls

Four years ago: Cosplay: Tomodachi 2

Good Game, Poor Communication?

I noted in my latest "countermeasures" post for Pokémon Go that the latest ones to be or are being implemented are being poorly communicated, and there's a certain truth in that. Pleas in the form of online petitions for addressing the PokéStop distance reduction were created with hundreds of thousands of signatures, but no response was ever given by Niantic as the developer, and the reduction was implemented anyway, even under the cover of it being a test, becoming an obvious detriment for certain people in certain conditions. It seems that the problem with Pokémon Go today is that it's a good game that is marred by the issue of poor communication.

While Pokémon Go is not fully perfect, much of it still works well. Yet there is a significant amount of nagging issues, including things that don't work out while the world is in its current condition. Some are fixed in due time, but others are seemingly left hanging with no fix and/or further report on the fixing effort. Instead, they are often covered up by additions of new features or even expansions to existing features, or as with the distance reduction above, not a word in edgewise. So on the surface, the game works and plays well, but in the depths, it may not be as such, and inquiries concerning the latter often seem to fall on deaf ears, or in the words of one player, responded with "radio silence".

That one player is truly one of a kind, as that player is Brandon Tan. In a video, he asks that Niantic listens to the community or face players turning to other games, including but not limited to other Pokémon games. As a respectable gamer himself - having played other games extensively - he finds that the community of Pokémon Go players (Trainers in in-game or in-character parlance) is one of the best he's ever been in as it is receptive to many things that go on with the game. However, the way that Niantic is responding to players, or the lack thereof, is a major cause for concern that only they can solve, as TPC only has a secondary role for Pokémon Go. The concern is clear when one of, if not the world's best, has to be involved.

The affairs that go on inside Niantic may shed light on the poor communication issue. According to a report by a former employee, Niantic is a great place to work, comparable to related technology companies. However, its promise of an open workplace seems to fall short: player concerns are not regarded, and doing so may instead cause negative repercussions, while even internal suggestions for improvement to fix errors that have happened time and again are ignored. The aura is rather authoritarian for a company of high value that has to serve many, many players globally and conceive enjoyment, particularly for a game dealing with a media franchise of high value.

With all that's happened, some players have initiated a "Pokémon No Day", a day to boycott the game by minimizing or even totally eliminating all in-game activity - and that day is today. I participated by only completing a bare minimum of activities (catching a Pokémon, spinning a PokéStop, and completing a Field Research task) and nothing else afterwards. Meanwhile, other players have taken to voice concerns on social media with their complaints, in particular for the distance reduction above as the main issue and primary issue that needs to be resolved at once. In a way, this post is designed to support the resolution of the issue for the good of everyone that is involved.

It's regrettable that Niantic as the developer of Pokémon Go are being very cold toward the people they serve, as the players and community. It is particularly occurring in these times with all kinds of restrictions, by which people wish to abide by and still have fun to make it out to the other side. The silence has to be broken and communication needs to be established well to keep the players satisfied in play, or else risk them shifting their satisfaction to other things. If this debacle is not resolved, players may start considering the game as poor when it really isn't - it's complex to be sure, and bugs creep in from time to time, but it's still workable and only the communication aspect is hampered.

One year ago: Get Going for School, Pokémon Style

Two years ago: Increased Limits in Go... Indefinitely?

Three years ago: Cosplay: YASUMI

Four years ago: Perfection and Excellence

Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: Madness in Madness

Throughout the past year, I've written about "countermeasures" for Pokémon Go (see last year below as an example), as changes in ways of doing things in the game that make it possible to play even with current conditions looming above everyone's heads. Unfortunately, those current conditions are still present and may not be tending toward the better, and thus it is still necessary to keep a few of them. However, there are plans in motion to remove a few of them (fine ones, no less), and this does not sit well with many, moreover that they are rather poorly communicated. It becomes a "madness" within the madness that is the current conditions, and this deserves a discussion.

First, it becomes necessary to straighten out names. I call the changes "countermeasures" because they are intended to offset (that is, counter) what cannot be done normally to play Pokémon Go. The game, however, calls them by another name: "special bonuses", as they are additions under the extraordinary circumstances of the world today. Meanwhile, for the most recent update regarding them, the official blog and site calls them "exploration bonuses" as they really do pertain to the capabilities of exploring outside certain bounds. Nomenclatural differences aside, they're still what they are, being efforts to make play possible even if conditions make them impossible.

Of these, there are certain ones that are staying. Incense has worked well with 60 minutes and is to stay as such. GBL no longer needs walking and Trainer battles in general only need a QR code or at least being Good Friends. Up to 20 Gifts can be stored in the bag and up to 30 from others may be opened per day. First capture of the day also rewards triple XP and Stardust.  Remote raids and their passes have also been a blissful addition. Many have given good responses to these changes, and the hope is that they do indeed remain with no changes in the times ahead or at least with only minor changes.

Yet others with good responses are planning to be axed. One of these is increased PokéStop or Gym interaction distance, which despite pleas to be kept is to be decreased. Buddy Pokémon are also to bring less gifts and Incense effectiveness will really need walking. In an attempt to offset these, new PokéStops are to reward 10 times the XP, spinning them will guarantee Gifts without exceeding their bag limit, and spinning Gyms will reward up to two free raid passes. While these are to be tested first in certain regions this month, controversy still arises on the elimination of the former set of changes.

The "madness" is therefore evident. These times are madness, with recovery being seemingly illusory in certain parts and good turning bad without much opportunity for the reverse. The communication of the above is also madness because of how impervious some good responses are, with some of them being overridden by certain intents. There is then the madness of drastic play changes against or within the madness of the world today, both of which are certainly concerning for those who play.

Whatever they are (to be) called, the changes should continue to facilitate play regardless of condition, and many have been evidently so, therefore being apt to be kept. The problem is that some (planned) changes are attempting to facilitate play in a condition that doesn't really facilitate play, and that's a real concern for anyone. Within the times ahead, there may still be a certain amount of madness that won't resolve quickly, and the hope is that changes to the play of Pokémon Go don't contribute to further madness.

One year ago: Countermeasures for Pokémon Go: What's In, What's Out

Two years ago: Cosplay: Utsuru SX

Three years ago: (A New) Local Ex-Raid, 8/4/2018

Four years ago: Pokémon on My Bed

Nostalgic "Coins" of Pokémon

A few of my raid fellows have recently discussed about a few nostalgic "coins" related to Pokémon. The reason is that these "coins" are making their return in a new and refreshed manner, and they look rather exciting for those who didn't get the chance to collect their earlier incarnations or even fervent collectors who possess these "coins" even in various states of completion. Obviously, I myself as a Pokémon fan have some interest in these "coins", so I feel that it becomes necessary to discuss about them before the frenzy starts for them.

These "coins" actually go by another name, which I'm not obligated to discuss since the "coins" are not supposed to be called as such, and in fact, promotional materials related to then do not call them by that alternative name and call them by "coins". Regardless, many people have fond memories - thus, nostalgia - about these "coins", so they have and seemingly will continue to refer them by that alternative name, even if they're not supposed to be called that. Pokémon is also just one of the many media franchises that have graced these "coins", so the nostalgia goes in different ways as well.

Notably, these "coins" are obtained through a snack food item that is (and always will be) mostly geared to kids or pre-teens. As such, the nostalgia factor is highly evident: they were collected when they were kids, and now today's grownups and kids have a chance to collect them again to have fun with them. It is certain that the current demand for the snack food item and therefore the "coins" will be driven by nostalgia for those earlier times; the taste of the snacks ought to not have changed much in all these years, but even with new Pokémon on the "coins", the nostalgia will be quite apparent.

Soon (or even after I write this), the frenzy for the nostalgic "coins" will begin. Interest has already been indicated to be high, if my raid fellows hadn't already proven that, and fans will begin their pursuit of the snacks that contain the coins to collect them. It is likely I will too, driven by my Pokémon interest and, to a minor extent, nostalgic feelings. For others, the latter is likely to be somewhat higher, but at least we can all take solace that we enjoy Pokémon in certain forms like these "coins" and gain nostalgia from them at the same time.

One year ago: Remote Raids and Invitations

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 8/3/2019

Three years ago: Divergent Anime?

Four years ago: A Hobbled Pikachu... 3DS XL

Heuristic vs. Methodical Trainers

Some people like or prefer doing things by what they feel or perceive. This becomes a heuristic way of doing things. Meanwhile, others like our prefer doing things by certain specific procedures or telltale signs. This way of doing things is a methodical one. Pokémon Trainers are people as well, which means that they can do all the things that real people do and more; it means that they are subject to the ways that people are, including these two ways of doing things.

The advantage of doing things in the methodical way is that by the procedures and signs, things can be conclusively determined. For example, certain Pokémon can manifest themselves in certain areas after exhibiting certain signs, or that certain Pokémon can be found after going through a specific series of steps. While this does work in that regard, there is the possibility that certain people may become tied down to following steps or looking for signs that it's hard for them to discover things beyond those steps and signs, especially for what they don't know.

Those who do things heuristically are likely to discover more new things beyond procedures or signs, like how Pokémon feel or what their actual intents are. These are things that may be hard for established procedures or signs to determine, especially if they are unknown. Obviously, the downside becomes that things may not be conclusive or certain, and further insights are needed to establish certainty.

Two Trainers who may be said to represent the two sides above are Ash and Goh from the latest iteration of Pokémon anime. Those who are fans will know that the former has always been heuristic in many ways in both battles and journeys through many places. Meanwhile, those, who have watched Goh will be able to discern that he is somewhat methodical in his ways, especially with the initial episodes of his anime appearance. The two appear inverse yet complementary to each other.

In fact, that is how the two ways are: they complement each other. The methodical way may refine what may be gained from the heuristic way, and the heuristic way may allow for things to be gained that cannot be otherwise gained from the methodical way. In short, neither way is better than the other, at least in some circumstances, and both ways may in fact be needed to discover certain things and solve certain problems, like the current situation of the world. Trainers ought to benefit as well from either way.

Thus, a Trainer can be heuristic and make discoveries or advancements through perceptions, or methodical to make those same discoveries or advancements through procedures - or even both, if the mindset allows. Yet it's clear that both are and can present themselves as necessary for each other, evidently by Ash and Goh. It seems that with whomever Pokémon Trainers identify with, there seems to always be a way to go.

One year ago: Let There Be No Lies

Two years ago: Topic Balancing, Again

Three years ago: The Music of Magikarp Jump

Four years ago: Pokémon Is Everything

Pikachu and Squirtle Donuts

In April, I discussed and exhibited a couple of Pokémon food items, being donuts with images of Pokémon on them. The brand, Mister Donut, is still continuing its local promotional campaign with Pokémon, and recently it came out with more donuts featuring different Pokémon on them. As before, I had to try these out not just for the purpose of writing a post on them, but also for personal enjoyment and satisfaction as well as that of others who can't enjoy these, being only locally available.

For these donuts, though, I had a little bit of trouble finding them, unlike the previous two, which I bought immediately when I spotted them. They were often out of stock or simply not stocked on certain days, which meant that checking back daily was in order. Due to my unavailability at times, I had to enlist the assistance of a friend for this effort, whose character friend (at least one of them) happens to be Brock and can be seen at least once in other posts on this blog. Through a coordinated effort, I was able to enjoy both donuts and write this post, though I did end up spending more than I would have liked for them. Regardless, I did enjoy them and now I've written this post.

Those who purchase a half-dozen donuts get a box that looks like this.

Evidently, the two donuts this time around are a new Squirtle donut and a variation of the Pikachu donut. They're still the same "shell donuts" that consist of a printed confection topping on a filled donut. The Squirtle donut predictably has Squirtle in blue on white, and this one has a more common chocolate filling. After the fruit fillings of the previous donut selections, this one is somewhat normal but still as decadent; it might satisfy those who wanted a Pokémon donut before but don't care for or aren't fond of the fruit fillings. Plus, Squirtle as a starter Pokémon ought to have its dedicated fans.

The Squirtle donut is on the right, of course.

The Pikachu donut, meanwhile, is as complementary as it is different. Pikachu is yellow on a brown shell, and for a reason: the filling is peanut butter, which can be attested by legions of faithful confection fans that it goes together very well with chocolate. It's creamy, nutty, and slightly savory, the last of which sounds odd but might please those who desire a donut (and a Pokémon donut in particular) but don't want something that is cloyingly sweet, which can be the case for even some of the donuts of the brand.

As the donut campaign continues - hopefully for the longest time possible - I'm likely to continue enjoying them, old and new flavors alike. Availability might become a problem as above and especially in current times, but the reward ought to be a flavor of enjoyment, one that is as unique as the local collaboration between a franchise popular the world over and a donut brand with a pretty good renown.

One year ago: On Growing Up with (and Out of) Pokémon

Two years ago: Shadow and Purified Pokémon in Pokémon Go

Three years ago: Type Logic

Four years ago: Fun at the Beach... or Water Park