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Pokemon 10th Anniversary Blowout
Posted on 12 Aug 2006 by Skeith
0 to 350 in under 10 years
By Keith C. Smith
Photos by Jowy Romano
A Tokyo suburb, sometime in the 1970’s: A typical boy named Satoshi Tajiri enjoys the simple pastime of catching and collecting bugs in the ponds and forests around his house. In time, the boy would grow up to be a video game developer and use those childhood memories as inspiration for a game called Pokemon. After 6 years of development, the game is finally released in Japan and becomes a success unlike any other, spreading across the world and capturing the imagination of millions.
10 years and $25 billion dollars later, these combat critters have earned the right to celebrate. And celebrate they did, right here in New York’s Bryant Park on August 8. From blocks away you could see the enormous Pikachu balloon hovering over the park marking the center of festivities. The park was filled with thousands of visitors. Some came to play, some to compete and some just to see the guest of honor, former WWE Champion and star of VH1’s “Hogan Knows Best,” Hulk Hogan.
The festivities opened up with “The Hulkster” coming on stage and reading this official proclamation:
Today in Bryant Park, New Yorkers and Pokemon fans from all around the world are gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pokemon. Today we celebrate another incredible decade of success for Pokemon and look forward to the accomplishments and innovations still to come. Therefore I, Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York, in recognition of this important anniversary do hereby proclaim Tuesday, August 8, 2006 in the City of New York, Pokemon Day.
Familiar characters such as Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy also made an appearance on stage and helped introduce the 64 finalists for the Pokemon Video Game National Championship that would be the main event of the day. The finalists were gathered from across the country in regional tournaments from a pool of 3,000 competitors in 24 cities. Battles were waged on Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness using Pokemon captured by the competing trainers. One winner would be declared for the 13 and up and 12 and under divisions. The prize: An all expenses paid trip for four to Japan.
Before the first match, I spoke with several of the competitors. Some shared their unique strategies, but most, like Matt Clark (age 11 from Atlanta, Ga.) were more tight lipped. “I’m just gonna keep going with the same strategy I’ve been winning with,” said the visibly nervous Pokemon trainer. When asked what that strategy was, he simply replied, “Top secret.”
With the preliminary matches raging under the tournament tent, I decided to explore the other festival stations, starting with the video game arena where demos of Pokemon Mystery Dungeon were available to play. In the Character Download Area, players who brought their Nintendo DS could download one of the top 20 fan-voted Pokemon, including an exclusive flying Pikachu. Newcomers to the trading card game got a tutorial at the TCG tent and free play tables were scattered about the park. Kids could also color and try out educational software from Pokemon.com at the Imagination Station (where I totally rocked at the fractions game).
Later, I was introduced to Gale Tilden, Nintendo’s Vice President of Brand Management for Pokemon, who was kind enough to answer some questions I had for her, and even revealed details on a Pokemon game never before announced in the US.
MG: What makes an event like this one possible?
G: Well, there is no other brand like Pokemon where every part of the franchise is so huge and successful and really strikes a chord with players and fans around the world.
MG: How long has your group been in existence?
G: We started the Pokemon Group back in 1998, about six months before the first games were launched . So we’ve had a team specifically focused on the franchise for a long time.
MG: Why do you think the franchise is so popular in America?
G: Pokemon is about classic themes; friendship, adventure, challenge, reward, and I think all kids everywhere can really appreciate it. It’s one of those special things that are extremely well developed. The people that come up with the Pokemon themes, story and characters really live in that world and help bring it to the players and stay true to it in every aspect. Whether it’s the cards, movies, games, TV show, and the care that they put into it really shows.
MG: With all that, (the games, the cards, the TV show, etc.) have you ever been afraid of Pokemon being overexposed?
G: I think there have been times when we were afraid of overexposure. Back in 2001 for example, we did start rejecting business proposals. I mean, if someone wanted to make a Pokemon vacuum cleaner, I think the answer is “no, it’s not strategic.” But if it’s something kids would want to carry to school, like a notebook or a backpack, it seems to help them enjoy Pokemon in a lot of aspects of life. So, it’s true that it has to be well managed and carefully nurtured, and not every business opportunity is the right one.
MG: Can you give me an example of something you had to reject?
G: In Germany, someone wanted Pokemon on bread bags. So when you went to the bakery and got a bread bag it would have a Pokemon logo on it. I said “That’s not strategic, I don’t get it.” They had to convince me that it’s similar to lunchboxes in the US, and that German kids really do carry their bread in these bags and that it would be part of their everyday lives. So I learned something new. Bread bags in Germany: Big with kids.
MG: What made you choose Hulk Hogan as the guest of honor for today?
G: Well, we did not choose Hulk, because we’re with Nintendo, not Pokemon USA, but I’ll tell you what they said when we asked. They think that he’s a great dad and values healthy competition. He’s the kind of guy who says “Kids, be Hulkamaniacs and eat your vegetables!” They thought he had a good for you message, but in a fun way.
MG: What’s next for Pokemon?
G: In 2007 in the US is going to be the introduction of Diamond and Pearl. Usually there are about 100 new Pokemon and they explore a whole new region. It’s really going to be a major adventure. The new features in the game are going to be really interesting and are going to include the use of the Nintendo WiFi connection where kids will trade and battle wirelessly over the internet. And the use of the Nintendo DS as a system combined with the Wii to battle is also going to be exciting.
MG: Finally, what’s your favorite Pokemon?
G: Jigglypuff, because when you fall asleep from the singing, Jugglypuff gets mad and draws on your face. I’d do that if people got tired of listening to me.
Afterwards, the final bouts commenced for the title of Pokemon National Champion. The competitors seemed determined and played with complete poker faces. On the main screen the audience watched every move as Hulk Hogan helped give the play-by-play.
“Wait a minute, he used a body slam, brother!” the wrestling legend exclaimed after a particularly devastating attack by Samin Syed’s Snorlax. “That’s aweseome!” Each of the final bouts were tight matches, but in the end Samin Syed, 12, won the 12 and under division, and Minh Ba Le, 22, brought home the gold for the 13 and up division.
The tournament concluded with the presentation of awards, and special congratulations by the real Pokemon master, President of Pokemon Japan, Sudikazu Ichihara. Ichihara also announced the release of another new game, Pokemon Ranger (scheduled for release Oct 30) for the Nintendo DS, which will make use of the stylus in how players capture Pokemon.
The end of the competition was not the end of the fun as the festivities went on throughout the day. After seeing so many people enjoying Pokemon here in so many forms, it’s no wonder Pokemon is so popular around the world. It’s funny to think that all of this came about because a boy and his simple game of catching bugs.
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