1 The Chariot Edition 6 Pokémon Edition The Marketing Strategies of Pokémon The Peculiar Gaming Youngster Joey by Joe Cullen The non-player characters in Pokémon are always interesting. Some have legitimately well-written dialogue that makes players chuckle; others are so bizarre that they garner only cringes. A few characters, however, straddle this line with ambiguity. Perhaps best known for this is Youngster Joey of the Johto Pokémon games. Encountered on Route 30 of Johto, Joey battles with only a level 4 Rattata. To battle with such a weak Pokémon is like trying to come back from a 28-3 deficit in the Super Bowl (oh wait–maybe that’s not the best example). Anyways, what he lacks for in good Pokémon he makes up for in confidence, claiming in his constant it is already an entirely new game. either: Lucasfilm and Disney used by Josiah Taylor phone calls to the player that his This is shown through Pokémon. it in the new Star Wars movies to Rattata is in “the top percentage of The conformity of the mainline please fans by replicating major Geographical landscape Rattata.” story mode among the games is plot points. Just search up any plays an immense role in the Ignoring the fact that a young kid e a s i l y m a s k e d b y t h e YouTube video on Star Wars development of settlements and is constantly harassing the player with implementation of different regions conspiracies and you will be sure guides the interaction of humans his incessant phone calls, Youngster (maps). Nintendo, the developer of to find it there. But anyway, what is with the environment. This can be Joey’s representation of his Rattata as Pokémon, increases its sales it that makes these new releases displayed by the various early a statistic signifies his commoditization using this method. In each game, appealing if we can already predict civilizations of human history, of Pokémon. In a world where trainers the player must complete 8 gyms that we are buying a game we which based their industries and seek to bond with their Pokémon, (each is a set of Pokémon battles), already played, or a “remastered” markets on local resources, or can Youngster Joey cares only about his defeat the Elite 4 (the final “Gym” version of an old movie? The even be simply displayed by small Rattata for its status among other if you will) and capture a special human brain finds ease in the communities of villages and towns Rattatas. Pokémon (commonly known as a recognition of patterns, and that establish their own niches For a young child such as Joey, legendary Pokémon, which is functions very well when they are based on their location. The such treatment of his Rattata may unique to each game). This format present. It even releases a subject of geographical impact is s e e m b e n i g n . B u t c o u l d h i s is used in every popular Pokémon pleasing shock through your body of so much interest that modern objectification of his Rattata be a red game created. The only difference when you can predict the future game developers use it as the flag for future problems? Joey’s is the map in which it is played. events based on patterns. This is basis of most video games, most obsession with proving himself as a This allows Nintendo to pull in the core theme behind the commonly in sandbox games. This trainer, coupled with his fixation on his massive profits with minimal work enjoyment of not only the common theme is essential to Rattata, could be the root of his future while still managing to create the Pokémon games, but also any these games: Developers can psychological problems. As he games everyone loves. Nintendo game or movie. create a new landscape and alter unsuccessfully tries to prove his isn’t the only company utilizing this small details in their storyline and (continued on page 5) Joe Cullen exposes the creepiness of Cameron the Photographer. Bob Simpson discusses the struggle of the proletariat against the Page 2 bourgeoisie in Pokémon. Pages 4 and 5 Luke Cibulsky reveals some of the scientific fallacies within the Pokémon Ben Chen provides some epic fan fiction. universe. Starting on Page 3 Page 7 2 www.mcall.com and SoulSilver–stand out among other mini-games throughout the their peers. series. Making Poffins and Childhood HeartGold Going into my first play- performing in contests are two of through of the games as a ten the most painstakingly boring mini- Pokémon and year-old, I lacked the nostalgia games I’ve ever seen in a SoulSilver many held from playing the Pokémon game–let alone any Nostalgia original Johto games. game. But Pokéathlons–athletic Nevertheless, these new games competitions between the are the Best quickly endeared themselves to Pokémon where the player uses by Joe Cullen Pokémon me through their plentiful the stylus to control the Pokémon– features, which combined to are more captivating than their I remember the first time I played a Games create an utterly charming counterparts. Pokémon game. I was 6 years old, an experience. Overall, however, what sets exuberant kindergartner. Over the Adding Pokémon following HeartGold and SoulSilver apart previous few months, I had flipped through by Joe Cullen their trainers on the map was an from the rest of the games is their every page of a Pokémon book I received awesome feature. Though a sheer amount of content. With 2 as a gift. Instantly, the otherworldly seemingly miniscule addition–all it regions–as compared to the For many, the Pokémon creatures that littered the page took a hold a f f e c t s i s t h e o v e r w o r l d normal number of 1–to explore, series has brought fond over my imagination: I was hooked. appearance–it brought a sense of there is twice as much to do. memories, whether on the old So when my parents gifted me a grey personality to Whereas other Pokémon games Game Boy Game Boy Advance and Pokémon the games. struggle with post-game content, or on the LeafGreen for my birthday, I was No longer HeartGold and SoulSilver allow Nintendo overjoyed: I probably shattered my were the the player to travel into the Kanto 3DS. parents’ eardrums with how loudly I g a m e ’ s region, where 8 more gym Thus, shrieked in excitement. For a young kid Pokémon leaders, some legendary choosing with an overactive imagination and too just spirits Pokémon, and the trainer Red a favorite much free time, Pokémon was a godsend. with which await. Pokémon Unsurprisingly, every waking hour I you fought I could go on all day raving game is a wasn’t eating, drinking, going to school, or battles. over Pokémon HeartGold and bit like watching football became devoted to Rather, SoulSilver, but just take my word choosing Pokémon. Though I wasn’t particularly allowing for it–they’re the best games. a favorite sure what I was doing–I spent 5 hours of Pokémon to Whether you’re an experienced child: It’s difficult to pick a game time in Pallet Town figuring out how follow their trainers delivered a Pokémon player or a newcomer to favorite. But personally, among to progress, and another 40 leveling up sense of camaraderie to the the series, they offer the best the many enjoyable Pokémon my Pokémon against Magikarps so that series. combination of in-game content games I’ve played, the Johto they wouldn’t permanently die of Furthermore, the Pokéathlon and in-game experience of the remakes–Pokémon HeartGold poisoning in the next gym–I loved every mini-game is a lot better than the entire Pokémon series. moment of the game. Now seventeen going on eighteen, I look back on those days with nostalgic fondness. No longer do I play Pokémon Cameron the “Hello, just when you least gain in the player’s lack of with such regularity, but it still holds a expect it! I am Cameron the comfort. special place in my heart. Throughout my Photographer: Photographer. You look so Additionally, Cameron is adolescence, many things changed: who I photogenic! Why not have a never seen taking pictures of spent time with, what I did in my free time, Not Rated E picture taken?” anybody besides the player. This my priorities, etc. But one thing remained On the surface, Cameron’s single-minded focus on the constant: Pokémon. Ever since I first laid for Everyone s e r v i c e s s e e m t o t a l l y player manifests itself into a hands on that Game Boy, Pokémon has innocuous. He’s just a man creepy obsession; why doesn’t been a part of my life. Of course, there trying to make a living through Cameron take interest in anyone were occasional breaks: I’d occasionally his photography; moreover, else in the Pokémon world? become bored with the game, or I’d buckle by Joe Cullen his photography itself is harmless There are many ways to explain under the social stigma of being a middle- and the photos C a m e r o n ’ s schooler who still plays Pokémon. Imagine: a balding, middle- go back to the behavior, but In hindsight, I realize that my aged man stalking 10 year-olds player. But none exude aversion to playing Pokémon because of throughout the country to take beneath this a n a i r o f what other people thought was ridiculous.