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In the lead-up to a new Pokemon game release, leaks have become somewhat inevitable. Some fans can't get enough of them, while others avoid them at all costs. What's your stance on leaks? Have you ever looked at them, and if so, do you feel that they enhanced or detracted from your experience of the game in any way?
I looked at all the new Pokemon leaks for Alola and Galar, and while I did have a lot of fun doing so at the time, I regret it now. I feel like I was robbed of the opportunity to discover those Pokemon by myself, especially for Sword and Shield which kept a lot of its new Pokemon under wraps. Even for Sun and Moon, which showed most of its new Pokemon in trailers, it would have been nice to be surprised by Nebby's evolution at least.
I'll admit that sometimes, good can come out of leaks. Amidst all of the controversy surrounding Dexit and Sword and Shield's graphics, the r/SwShLeaks subreddit was an oasis of excitement and enthusiasm. There was a real community spirit there - everyone was planning out their teams and drawing Snom fanart. Ideally though, this is the kind of thing that should be happening in discovery threads on release day, when everyone can participate.
On the whole, I feel that leakers are doing the Pokemon fandom a disservice. Fans who don't want to be spoiled are being spoiled (either accidentally, or because they lack the self-discipline not to look), while fans who do enjoy seeing the information could have had that same enjoyment on release day. So I find it difficult to see how leaks benefit anyone. But if you're someone who feels that leaks have actually made you enjoy a game more, I'd be really interested to hear your point of view!
I also wish that leakers would stop leaking for their own sake! Why put yourself at risk like that? I hate to think that someone might have got themselves into a ton of legal trouble just so that I could see a new Pokemon a few weeks early.
I looked at all the new Pokemon leaks for Alola and Galar, and while I did have a lot of fun doing so at the time, I regret it now. I feel like I was robbed of the opportunity to discover those Pokemon by myself, especially for Sword and Shield which kept a lot of its new Pokemon under wraps. Even for Sun and Moon, which showed most of its new Pokemon in trailers, it would have been nice to be surprised by Nebby's evolution at least.
I'll admit that sometimes, good can come out of leaks. Amidst all of the controversy surrounding Dexit and Sword and Shield's graphics, the r/SwShLeaks subreddit was an oasis of excitement and enthusiasm. There was a real community spirit there - everyone was planning out their teams and drawing Snom fanart. Ideally though, this is the kind of thing that should be happening in discovery threads on release day, when everyone can participate.
On the whole, I feel that leakers are doing the Pokemon fandom a disservice. Fans who don't want to be spoiled are being spoiled (either accidentally, or because they lack the self-discipline not to look), while fans who do enjoy seeing the information could have had that same enjoyment on release day. So I find it difficult to see how leaks benefit anyone. But if you're someone who feels that leaks have actually made you enjoy a game more, I'd be really interested to hear your point of view!
I also wish that leakers would stop leaking for their own sake! Why put yourself at risk like that? I hate to think that someone might have got themselves into a ton of legal trouble just so that I could see a new Pokemon a few weeks early.