""Staleness": I don't agree with the notion that a lack of radical change is an inherent flaw, especially in Pokemon."

I don't even think a majority of the fandom feels that Pokemon is getting stale, just so we're clear. Nonetheless, there are people out there who contend that, and I feel like addressing the notion.Of course, if someone were to say that they just don't personally get any kick out of Pokemon anymore, I can't tell them they're wrong about their own feelings. What I do take issue with is people who say that Pokemon needs to change, that it has stagnated, merely by virtue of not having changed its core formula since the beginning.I think that's flawed logic. Most people recognise that "change is good" is a silly, sweeping platitude. But the reverse is also true: "no change is bad" is just as incorrect.Think back to E3 this year, when millions were elated simply by being told that a mainline Pokemon RPG was coming to the Switch. We didn't have so much as a title card, let alone a visual or gameplay footage... but people were put at ease anyway. Why? Because we can have strong confidence that Pokemon Switch, despite (probably) being in its earliest, most skeletal form, will pretty much share the same skeleton as every other mainline Pokemon - and that is what people want.Why, though? What makes it okay for Pokemon to stay largely the same, while other franchises are constantly derided for never changing? I propose two main factors:Pokemon's big draw is inherently repeatable. What made Pokemon take off back in the late 90s? What's kept it going strong for twenty years since? I believe it's the marriage of exciting creatures with the natural collector's urge. It's the same thing that creates birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.And unlike, say, a shooting game, this benefits greatly from continuous repetition. Novelty is the driving force behind both the creature interest and the collection aspect: new, cool animals to see and play with. New games coming out with regularity means a constant flow of new Pokemon for us to get excited about. The lack of change in the base formula ensures that we experience the new Pokemon in the same way we always have. The way that works. The way we like.The second thing is that Pokemon's philosophy of progress is about iterative change. And this too perfectly suits the first factor. Zelda games are all about giving people a fresh, exciting adventure every time. Pokemon games, on the other hand, seek to give players an improved experience every time. These smaller gameplay changes form the backdrop to the real iteration: new Pokemon, new moves, new situations.The history of change in Pokemon games is a steady train of QoL improvements that smooth out the process of enjoying the novelty of new Pokemon in a new world. Balancing the Special stat, introducing Natures and Abilities, the physical/special split, infinite-use TMs, a tool to eliminate grinding, removal of HMs. All of that adds up to making your Pokemon selection more diverse, more interesting, and more unrestricted.If you're also a fan of Monster Hunter, you might remember Capcom seriously flubbing their big announcement of Monster Hunter World at E3. What should've been a blowout reveal became a muddled mess, as longtime players were left wondering: is this still Monster Hunter?The problem was that they didn't leave enough of a frame of reference for us. Here was a platform change, a massive graphical leap, a seemingly major mechanical change - very little was left to assure fans that the core game was the same. It took various interviews, newer gameplay footage, and the valiant efforts of various Youtubers sifting through the information, in order to bring some clarity to the situation. We're hyped now, but it could've all been avoided.This is part of what I mean. Longstanding games need to stay true to what people liked about them, so that we have a frame of reference in which to experience what's important. For Pokemon, the big thing is new Pokemon, and that's where the focus should be. via /r/pokemon http://ift.tt/2hanfa5