When visiting Game City, our team had the task of analyzing a game chosen by ourselves. In the following blogpost the role games "Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire" are being analyzed in terms of categorization, player interaction, pedagogical aspects and other significant reference points.
Section 1 – Introduction to the game
Please use this section to provide an introduction to the game you have chosen.
1.1 The name of the game
Pokémon Omega Rubin & Alpha Saphir
(engl.: Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire)
1.2 The producers or creators of the game
What other games have they have they produced?
Other significant details
Studio: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Role Play
other games by Nintendo: numerous games for different platforms, e.g. Nintento DS, Wii, Wii U, Game Cube; Gameboy etc.:
- Animal Crossing
- Mario Kart
- Yoshi’s Island
- Nintendogs
- Super Mario Bros
- etc.
1.3 Language
Is the game only available in English or is it available in other languages?
English, German, Japanese
1.4 Game platform used for review
Nintendo 3DS
Section 2 – Summary description and categorisation of the game
Please provide some information that will help to describe the game. This includes a brief description of the story or theme of the game and the game objectives. By providing information on the platform, peripherals, players and the genre it will help to classify the game to provide a more effective reference for users:
2.1 Please provide some information on the intended audience including:
Is the game single player or multiplayer/ does it offer multiplayer opportunities?
The game is a single player game with multiplayer- and online-multiplayer-opportunities.
What is the target age group and the minimum age?
The target group in general is children, but due to Pokémon’s worldwide success, teenagers or even adults play the as well.
2.2 Rating information: PEGI/ ESRB
Pegi: 7+
ESRB: Everyone
Discriptors: Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Online Interactions
2.3 Game genre
Please choose one or more genre(s) or style(s) to which the game belongs (see table below) and provide an explanatory note with your choice.
“Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Alpha Sapphire” is a role-playing game in which players pit their Pokémon (creatures) against other trainers with the aim to become the Pokémon League Champion. The player interacts with characters from a “fantasy land” and engages in turn-based battles: Moreover, the player is living through a complex story which requires the use of strategy, as well.
Game genre(s): Adventure/Action, Fight, Role-play, Simulation, Strategy
2.4 Categorisation of the game
Please choose a category below for which the game may in your opinion hold some potential educational benefit and provide an explanatory note with your choice.
Decision making (strategy & problem solving)
Social interaction/ values/ cultures
Ability to learn/ self assess
In all Pokémon games, the player is given an understanding of friendship and the belief in dreams. Furthermore, it is not a game that can be played trough within 20 minutes. The game is based on a story in which the player itself is involved tremendously. Strategic decisions, deductive and logical reasoning, problem solving and joined-up thinking are hence of huge importance.
Section 3 – Overview/ walkthrough of the game
Please use this section to provide a walkthrough of the game which should ideally include screenshots that support the overview. In the screenshots try to capture elements of the game play and navigation and include any items that may require highlighting (e.g. offensive content, particularly unusual or difficult parts).
3.1 Please use the grid below to indicate your skill level/ experience in terms of computer/ video games:
1 – Novice/ rarely or never play games
2
3 – Intermediate/ occasionally play games
4
5 – Expert/ Frequently play games
Please complete the following with reference to your skill level/ experience e.g. “For me as a novice player it was easy to start…I found the introduction interesting”):
3.2 Provide the back-story for the game and the conditions for success (see footnote re: screenshots)
Since the release of the first games named “Pokémon Red Version” and “Pokémon Green Version” in 1996 in Japan, the Pokémon games have enjoyed great popularity. The unique, penetrative and both simple and complex game principle enthuses players from all over the world.
In each edition/version of the Pokémon games the player lives trough a new story, and additionally, a new region where adventures and numerous mysteries are waiting to be solved by the Pokémon trainer (=player of the game). Together with creatures shrouded in mystery which can be caught by the player, the gambler experiences adventure after adventure and becomes – after having trained his or her Pokémon and having solved the complex story, numerous riddles, etc. – the Pokémon League Champion.
This principle is the basis of all the typical Pokémon games that have been rereleased since the first version. In 2002 (Japan) and 2003 (USA, Canada, Europe) the “Pokémon Ruby Version” and “Pokémon Sapphire Version” were brought on the gaming market. More than ten years later, Nintendo launched the improved, extended and to the latest platform (Nintendo 3DS) adapted versions. “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” pick up the story of the “forerunner” version and provide numerous reforms and technical innovations adjusted to the new platform, as well.
The enormous success of the versions “Pokémon Ruby” and “Pokémon Sapphire”, the positioning of the brand Pokémon itself on the gaming market, the success of the Pokémon games in general, have thus led to a pleasant anticipation of the players concerning the “new” versions of “Pokémon Ruby” and “Pokémon Sapphire”.
3.3 Provide a short walkthrough to describe the steps for successful play (see footnote re: screenshots)
For playing “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” successfully, the player has to “follow” diverse principles that can be applied to all the Pokémon role games:
- Meet as many Pokémon as you can
- Complete the Pokédex (= collection, archive where all data concerning every single Pokémon is collected and registered)
- Fight other Pokémon trainers to let your Pokémon become better and stronger
- Let your Pokémon improve their characteristics by letting them evolve to a better version of themselves
- Develop your own strategy for Pokémon battles
- Consider the reciprocation of the Pokémon and their attacks (There are different types of Pokémon and attacks, e.g. water, fire, electro, etc.)
- Become the Pokémon League Champion by defeating the TOP 4 Pokémon Trainers of the Pokémon League and the reigning Pokémon Champion
3.4 Describe the game play, player interaction and navigation (provide screenshots)
Description of the game play:
“Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” start – as all Pokémon role games – in a small village (hometown of the trainer). Shortly after having started the game, the player is given his or her first Pokémon and due to that ready for the big adventure. During the game, the player travels from town to town, fights battle after battle and increases the power of the Pokémon accompanying him. In certain cities one has to fight against trainers who are the owner of so-called Pokémon arenas. After having won the fight, the player is giving a medal, which enables him to use certain skills or be able to train stronger Pokémon. Moreover, it is necessary, to fight all eight arena-leaders to be qualified for the fights taking place at the Pokémon League.
Player interaction:
The player interacts with his Pokémon by giving them “instructions” (so-called attacks) for the battle with other Pokémon. This can be done via a certain menu (see next page). Furthermore, interaction with other people playing the game is possible. The game offers several multi-player options, e.g. the opportunity of fighting against other players worldwide or changing Pokémon with them.
Navigation:
The navigation is carried out by a main menu which shows different categories, e.g. a list of the accompanying Pokémon, the Pokédex, a bag with items, etc.
Screenshots
Top-Screen:
Here the player’s avatar (Pokémon trainer) is shown while walking through the grass of a route of the region, where the whole story takes place. This screen is one of the most occurring ones, due to the fact, that the player has to navigate his character from route to route, from city to city, etc. most of the time.
Bottom-Screen:
This screen shows the main menu of the game. Six “categories” of different content are findable here.
Pokémon: Lists all the Pokémon accompanying the trainer with their level, attacks, characteristics, etc.
Pokédex: Shows all the data of the Pokémon the trainer has already met and caught during his or her journey.
Beutel: Lists all the items bought or found during the whole game, e.g. medicine for curing the Pokémon, a bike for moving faster, balls for collecting Pokémon.
Erwin: Provides useful information concerning the player, e.g. when the game was started, how many medals have already been earned, total play time, etc.
Speichern: Offers the opportunity of saving the game.
Optionen: Offers different setting for the game, e.g. sound or text options.
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Top-Screen:
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Bottom-Screen:
Shows the menu item “Pokémon”. Here the trainer receives information concerning the Pokémon accompanying him or her. Information concerning the health status (so-called “KP”), the level of the Pokémon and the sex of it can be found immediately. By choosing on the of Pokémon and clicking “A” the player is offered the opportunity of informing about other information worth knowing respective the Pokémon.
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Top-Screen:
Shows the view when fighting against a wild Pokémon that can be found in high grass, for instance. The Pokémon on the left side is always the one of the player, whereas the alternate one is a wild one (or owned by another trainer).
Bottom-Screen:
Here, the menu during a fight (as well against wild or Pokémon owned by another trainer or player).
Beutel: Offers the opportunity of accessing the bag. If the Pokémon gets hurt during a fight, for example, with this option, medicine can be used to heal it.
Flucht: This option is only given when meeting a wild Pokémon. By choosing it, the player can escape from a potential fight. When fighting against other trainers, “Flucht” can not be clicked.
Pokémon: If the player wants to exchange his or her fighting Pokémon against one of his other ones, the option “Pokémon” is the ones that needs to be choosen.
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Top-Screen:
This screen shows the end of a fight against a wild Pokémon. When combating other Pokémon, the own ones receive so-called “Erfahrungspunkte” which make them become stronger. As it’s the goal of every player to become Pokémon League Champion, fighting other Pokémon and trainers and thereby collecting “Erfahrungspunkte”, is inevitable and essential.
Bottom-Screen:
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3.5 Highlight any issues that could hinder play/ confusing aspects (see footnote re: screenshots)
The only real “confusing” aspect of playing a Pokémon role game, is the fact that beginning and playing the first minutes of the game can be a bit perplexing when not having played Pokémon at least once. But from the first minute on, everything is explained by avatars and characters occurring during playing. Moreover, the player is given detailed information and introductions concerning how to play the game. Due to that, the “entrance” to the world of Pokémon is eased.
3.8 Learning curve time – please provide an estimate for the amount of time needed to learn how to use the game
1 hour
3.9 Can the game be saved and restarted from the same point?
Yes
No
In the main menu of the game there is an option called “Speichern” which enables the player to save all the progress he or she has accomplished since the last point of saving.
3.10 Can the learning objectives be achieved in small periods of time, i.e. class time?
Estimated from the missions or levels completed
0 Yes
0 No
This question is difficult to answer. Due to the fact, that the game is based on a long-living and complex story, it needs hours, to be played trough. Short “sections” (eg. a riddle occurring at a certain point of the game) can be achieved in shorter periods of time, however.
Section 4 – Pedagogical aspects
Please use this section to provide an evaluation of how effective the game could be in terms of pedagogy.
4.1 Please provide suggestions for use of the game in the classroom/ formal education setting
Letting everybody playing “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” in class could lead to the problem of a lack of platforms. For being able to play the game, a Nintendo 3DS is necessary and providing one to every student implicates an enormous financial effort. However, some underlying principles of the game, e.g. solving several problems, decision making or interaction and deductive reasoning can be adopted to the “normal” classes.
4.3 Regarding learning outside of a formal education setting - please provide suggestions for use of the game for learning outside the classroom.
Pokémon enables children to discover their own creativity, to make decisions and to – even if it sounds a bit “kitschy” – believe in themselves. If the interests of students are connected with real life, the willingness to learn could improve tremendously.
4.4 If possible, please provide an example of current/ past use of the game for learning outside of a formal education setting.
The below-mentioned article does not deal exactly with the question above, but could as well be interesting, because it tries to answer the question: “Can Pokémon be educational?“
Moreover, there is a presentation dealing with the possibility of using video games as a successful tool in teaching.
https://prezi.com/koypadkrwsu0/pokemon-in-education/
Furthermore Pokémon has already been involved in education:
4.5 Based on your own experience, please provide any further information that you think is relevant.
Why we choose “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Alpha Sapphire”
When we, Cutscene Productions, a group consisting of three girls who rarely play games, entered the doors of Game City in Vienna, we honestly had no idea of what game or even what game genre we want to “dive in” and to this analysis about. But after having walked through some of the halls of the town hall, we discovered the stand of Nintendo and a discussion about childhood memories started immediately. Although we all three considered us as people who are not into computer games, we had to assert that there was a game, we all played in our younger years. And guess what? It was Pokémon.
From that point on, we talked about the things we loved about the game and all the benefits it brought to us. We think that the principle and idea behind the Pokémon games, the composition and structure of it and the game itself improved many things in our (young) lives back then. Pokémon enables children to act out their imagination, to use strategic thinking, to interact and last but not least to learn about themselves, as well. And all that by playing a game that is – in contrast to lots of other games available today – really suitable for children.
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