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GO Some Ground Rules...

DJ iOmega

Itadakimasu!
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Personally, I believe this is a big, exciting and unexpected jump for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. I like to support the high risks, because high risks can lead to amazing results! But, I also feel as though there could be a lot of things that could go wrong with this game, not because of how it might be developed, but because of some of the people that can manipulate the game to make it work to their advantage.

You know, in any kind of online game where people compete, there is always that one person who believes it's fun to brand themselves as the local A-hole because of the things that they've done to other people. Be it: Online Shooters, MMO's, Fighting games, Even mobile card games, someone is always a jerk and enjoys to cause someone else trouble. creating all sort of conflict.

That's where we as Bulbagardeners and Pokemon Enthusiasts come in. I read an article about Pokemon Go on gamesradar.com and I believe they should be established when the game is released. In that article, the author decides to write up some ground rules that future players of this game should follow to keep from making any kind of conflict for the game and other players and I completely agree to it. I'm gonna be quoting all of the ground rules here on this thread so you can read them, but if you want to read the original article, you can click here.

1) Don't mix Pokemon Go and roads!

"- This really, really shouldn't have to be stated, but people have done dumber things involving roads for digital gain. So, I'm going to put this right up front: don't run into the street to catch a Pokemon. Not even a really good one. You don't need to catch 'em all so badly that you catch a hood ornament to the hip.

This goes for any mixture of Pokemon Go and roads. Don't stop in a crosswalk to catch a Pokemon. Don't block access to driveways or side streets to declare battle. And for the love of Arceus, do not check to see where a Pokemon is while driving - find a place to park and then chase that sucker down safely. If you'd become a social pariah for doing it for a selfie, don't do it for Pokemon Go." - Ashley Reed


I think this is really self explanatory. I would really hate to see a news report on TV of someone getting hurt or, Arceus forbid, dying because they saw a Pokemon they REALLY wanted to catch that was in the middle of the road. Do you know how much bad publicity this game would get because of it? not to mention another thing to target the Pokemon series for. Please... don't do it.

2) Don't engage in battle on public transport, especially to take advantage of players in a hurry.

"- There's something charming about the way Nintendo games get you to engage with strangers in everyday life, say while grocery shopping or commuting to work. But unlike StreetPass, Pokemon Go's battles will undoubtedly require active participation, which can be tough when you're on the train and your stop's coming up.

As tempting as it might be to engage someone on the morning ride to work, be considerate of their schedule. If you know the guy who gets on at the stop after you has an hour-long ride ahead of him, feel free, but random strangers might not be able to see a battle through before they reach their stop. If Pokemon Go plays anything like the Pokemon handheld games, that'll be marked as a loss for them, and unfairly so. As a courtesy to your fellow players, don't put them in that situation. And if you're doing it on purpose, using the realities of adult life to net cheap wins, you're a dick." - Ashley Reed


I've seen a lot of ways that people manipulate games this way for their own gain. I don't think there will be anything good to gain from doing it. This is Pokemon, not Call of Duty. The People who play Pokemon are mostly adults nowadays and the people who play Call of Duty are mostly little kids. If you're mature, you can play Pokemon, if not, then go to Call of Duty.

3) Don't be a jerk if you and a group don't manage to catch a rare Pokemon.

"- One of the most interesting features in the Pokemon Go announcement trailer is group events, where players can band together to battle and capture an ultra-rare Pokemon. Naturally, the throng of fashionably dressed twenty-somethings in the trailer pull it off at the last second, but where there are time limits, there are potentials for failure. You may one day find yourself on the losing end of a team battle with a Pokemon you desperately wanted to catch. And despite the soul-crushing disappointment, the best way to respond is with an "Oh well" and a shrug, not anger toward your equally disappointed teammates.

Not that I expect most players to go ballistic on a stranger for losing a battle of Pokemon, but there's always that one person who takes the game too seriously and ruins everyone else's fun (the bane of little league ice cream parties everywhere). Don't be that person, and remember that losing with grace keeps the community fun, as opposed to an exercise in tolerating assholes." - Ashley Reed


If you play or used to play shooters, then this is pretty common. You know, that one player who gets really frustrated when he loses a match and then blames his teammates for it, usually involving a whole lot of profanity. As I stated before, this is Pokemon, not Call of Duty. Shooting games simulate killing other people, but, after a Pokemon battle, the trainers become friends.

4) Don't interrupt time out with your loved ones to catch Pokemon.

"- You won't get arrested for not following this rule, but you will most certainly be That Friend That Nobody Wants to Hang Out With. It's already annoying enough if you text through an entire meal with friends or family, or won't stop checking your phone when you're out on the town, but if you run off to catch imaginary monsters when you're all just walking into a movie? Your loved ones are definitely going to name you something unpleasant in their contact list, and rightly so.

While society is still feeling out how cell phone etiquette should work, it's generally agreed that focusing all your attention on your phone during friend or family-time is a social faux pas, and Pokemon Go should fall squarely under that rule. Put the phone down and focus on the real person in front of you trying to have a conversation. Or, alternatively, get them playing too, so you can both rush to pay the check and catch that passing Jellicent. That way you'll have something new to bond over, rather than a passive-aggressive message on your Facebook feed." - Ashley Reed


Personally, I don't mind when one of my friends are on their phones when we're hanging out, especially because I tend to do it too. But You might be taking it too far if you interrupt a nice dinner date with your boyfriend/girlfriend to go catch a Pokemon that just appeared in the back behind the dumpster of the restaurant. It's not the end of the world if you miss one. Remember to look up from your phone sometimes.

5) Don't go anywhere you know is private.

"- Niantic, Inc., the developer of Pokemon Go, is pretty good as separating public and private spaces. The team's previous credits include a similar augmented-reality game, Ingress, and Google Maps, so they've had plenty of practice. But still, that doesn't account for temporarily private locations like wedding sites or campgrounds, or even glitches in the system that say your grandma's living room is part of the bowling alley next door.

So, while Pokemon Go probably won't lead to bathroom-invading chaos, it's still good to think with your human brain and make sure you're not tailing Pokecreatures through a private venue. Be aware of your surroundings, and evaluate each Pokemon pursuit on a case-by-case basis. Like the don't-run-into-traffic rule, it's a matter of safety and courtesy, and will ensure you don't go ruining someone's quinceanera." - Ashley Reed


Nowadays, people are starting to hire Bouncers and Security for private events. As a DJ, I've been in some ridiculous situations where I was stopped by Security and I wasn't allowed to go set up my equipment for the party until I had proof that I was hired. Now imagine if you weren't invited and a Pokemon appeared in a private area, what are you gonna say to avoid getting your butt-kicked to get the Security Guard to let you in the private area to catch that Pokemon?

6) Don't be disruptive or obnoxious to bystanders.

"- In the age of smartphones and Vine videos, being a jackass in public has become a beloved pastime, at least for those who practice it. And while hilarious videos of people loudly having Pokemon battles in the grocery store is inevitable, that could brand every Pokemon Go player as a nuisance if it becomes too disruptive. Doesn't anyone remember what happened with Pokemon cards?

As "tempting" as it may be to confuse an elderly woman by screaming "PIKACHU I CHOOSE YOU!" while she's reading in the park, really - don't use Pokemon Go as a dickish way to get your 15 seconds of fame. Play the game in a way that's respectful to everyone around you and doesn't disturb their day, so you don't give other players a bad name. Or, if your desire to cause a scene can't be corralled like so much Snorlax into a Pokeball, at least make it enjoyable for your audience. Less screaming in public and more Subway Star Wars." - Ashley Reed


The classic, "Treat others the way you would want them treat you" rule comes into play here. Would you want to hear some obnoxious person yell, "Alright! I caught a Charmander!" while you're trying to enjoy the outside peace and quiet? NO! I know it's exciting when you accomplish something, but there is that whole "disturbing the peace" rule. You don't want to have Officer Jenny to throw you down and arrest you, unless you're into that kind of thing...

7) Be a good sport and have fun!

"- Pokemon had the market cornered on nerdy competition before League of Legends was a twinkle in Riot Games' eye. Thus your interactions with other players will mostly be competitive. But that doesn't mean they have to be antagonistic. Good sportsmanship is key here, and will keep the game fun no matter what the outcome of battle.

As aggravating as it is to lose a match, don't take it out on your very human opponent the way you would an in-game trainer. Yelling at them will only foster hostility within the game, and trying to throw them at the wall with definitely get you arrested. At the same time, it's also important to win with grace, which means not being a total jerk to the players you beat. The nastiness of ultra-competitive games is often a huge roadblock to people joining up (which is critical to a social game like Pokemon Go), so stay courteous and sportsmanlike if you want the game to thrive. A simple "Good game!" or a hearty handshake will do (think Hearthstone, but real), and go a long way to keep the experience enjoyable for everyone." - Ashley Reed


This problem will most likely not apply to us Bulbagardeners because, from the 2 years I've spent here, everyone I've talked to has been nothing if not nice, but I'm sure someone here might encounter that kind of person. If it happens, just ignore it. Other than that, the rest is obvious.

8) If you catch a legendary Pokemon, give praise to the almighty Uxie!

"- Legendary Pokemon don't just show up out of nowhere, and they don't end up in your Pokemon collection without a fight - we're talking beings that embody the skies, antimatter, existence itself pressed into your service. Netting one of your own takes luck, skill, and naturally, the blessing of the patron Pokemon god of knowledge, Uxie.

Upon catching a legendary Pokemon, you must provide an offering becoming of the bounty you have received. For example, an Articuno demands a sacrifice of twenty Pokemon stickers left at a forest shrine at midnight, while catching Giratina or Lugia requires the ritual burning of one Pokemon HeartGold cartridge. Ensure that this sacrifice is made in due time, for ingratitude to the bringer of all knowledge will leave the land fallow, its guide departed, and even the youngest newborn Caterpie will be hidden from trainer eyes. Seriously, don't ruin it for the whole neighborhood." - Ashley Reed


Forget "Praise Helix", Uxie is now where it's at. Uxie is known as "the being of knowledge". in the case of Pokemon Go, knowledge translates to "common sense." This game will most likely be fun with friends and loved ones but everyone plays games at their own pace. Don't ruin it for others. Please...

If we Bulbagardeners enforce these rules when the game comes out, then we can ensure that this game will be really fun. Remember, Bulbagarden is known as the biggest and best Pokemon community in the world. I'm sure that title would not have been gained if Bulbagarden was like some of the more notorious community sites. Since we're a ridiculously large group of Pokemon enthusiasts, it shouldn't be hard to follow these rules, but we can't really speak for non-Bulbagardeners. I believe this game can be really fun and problem free if these rules are learned.

What are your thoughts on this?
 
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I hope that with the road safety problem they will have a message displayed every time the app is open saying a brief warning/caution. I know it would get annoying, but I think it's would be worth it if it would make more players that little bit more cautious.
 
I hope that with the road safety problem they will have a message displayed every time the app is open saying a brief warning/caution. I know it would get annoying, but I think it's would be worth it if it would make more players that little bit more cautious.

I'm sure it probably will have warnings, but at the same time it might have a disable option to keep them from popping up. That's why it's important to remember that rule.
 
Calling it: it'll just be an overhyped mess like Pokémon Conquest and Pokkén Tournament.
 
Calling it: it'll just be an overhyped mess like Pokémon Conquest and Pokkén Tournament.
I never played Pokemon Conquest, however, I personally believe that Pokken Tournament was a great game. It was quite easy to complete, however I really enjoyed playing the game. I don't believe it was a mess at all.
 
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