[WHY] Pokemon Black and Blue

[Shyria Dracnoir]

The amount of time that Pokémon spend stuffed in pokéballs is akin to how elephants are chained up in train carts, waiting to be let out to "perform" in circuses. But the difference between real life and this fictional world full of organized animal fighting is that Pokémon games paint rosy pictures of things that are actually horrible.

If PETA existed in Unova, our motto would be: Pokemon are not ours to use or abuse. They exist for their own reasons. We believe that this is the message that should be sent to children.

Oh god what (http://features.peta.org/pokemon-black-and-white-parody/)

This just makes me wonder; how do they manage to find game teams they can contract to make these, or do they somehow manage their own in-house group?

Though apparently someone on the design team played enough Black/White to include the twist about Gehtis's real motivations

[POS Industries]

Actually, this game is pretty hilarious. Like, in a completely intentional way. The designers really did their homework here and it's a clever parody that communicates their message.

I ain't even mad. Good for them.

[Whomper]

How is this not a lawsuit waiting to happen?

[Kim]

Honestly, I'm gonna say PETA has a fair point with this. Pokemon Black and White were all about selling the message that Pokemon like being held in captivity, being forced to fight, and basically being the servants of people to do whatever they want. In a world with as much animal cruelty as there is, including a lot we just let happen because it's been TRADITION'd into modern society, I think calling out a game that sends that message is very fair. There are a LOT of reasons to not support PETA in general. Their methods can be really shitty and even result in the deaths of animals at times, and their attempts to spread their message can be incredibly sexist and body shaming. I don't support PETA. I actually enjoy Pokemon games now and again, but they're basically "GLORIFIED DOG FIGHTS: THE GAME", and that's kinda fucked up.

[POS Industries]

How is this not a lawsuit waiting to happen?
Parody is protected under fair use.

[A Zarkin' Frood]

I kind of stopped playing my Black edition even though the game was fun because the story rubbed me kinda the wrong way. Like, why do I have to fight against the good guys?

[Ryong]

I never stopped finding weird how power plants in the pokémon world are basically pokémon hooked up to power lines so.

I'd like to note that, at least, all physical wounds in Pokémon are rather easily healed but yes there'd still be psychological trauma. But, yeah, the games always pass off the idea that pokémon are totally okay with being used as weapons or just tools in general.

[POS Industries]

I kind of stopped playing my Black edition even though the game was fun because the story rubbed me kinda the wrong way. Like, why do I have to fight against the good guys?
Well, it did communicate pretty early on that Team Plasma was being completely hypocritical about their motivations and then it turned out to be all a scam anyway (which in and of itself bears the unfortunate implications that protest groups are actually doing what they're doing for completely self-serving means).

However, the difference between Ghetsis and N was that N was completely sincere and that, really, he wasn't wrong about the rights of pokemon to be free if that was their choice. He was merely mislead by Ghetsis his entire life to believe that all pokemon were being forcibly captured and forced to battle against their will and his interactions with the main character eventually lead him to see otherwise.

But that does, unfortunately, also send something of a problematic message about institutionalized animal cruelty like Kim was talking about, so it's not exactly a bad thing to have that message, whether intended or not, called out on its bullshit.

[Whomper]

Parody is protected under fair use.Yeah, but parody is an imitation. This game doesn't imitate: it says "hey, this is Pikachu and Ash and all the other characters created by Game Freak". Hell, it even steals from the game's plot lines to make a point (Ghetsis).

I dunno, man. In my opinion, this game pushes past imitation and presents a clear defamation of Game Freak. I guess we'll have to disagree.

[Kim]

Yeah, but parody is an imitation. This game doesn't imitate: it says "hey, this is Pikachu and Ash and all the other characters created by Game Freak". Hell, it even steals from the game's plot lines to make a point (Ghetsis).

I dunno, man. In my opinion, this game pushes past imitation and presents a clear defamation of Game Freak. I guess we'll have to disagree.

Definition for defamation: a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions.

It's not defamation.

[Whomper]

I can see we're not going to agree on this. Again, in my opinion, the blood, needles, shackles and knives quite definitely pose a malicious misrepresentation of the Pokemon franchise.

[Marc v4.0]

I think if you haven't at least questioned the role of Pokemon in that world and considered how abusive even the 'healthy' relationships are then you haven't actually played the games.

[POS Industries]

Definition for defamation: a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions.

It's not defamation.
Nor is it actually an attack on Gamefreak or even a call against the franchise. This game was pretty clearly written from the perspective of fans of the series with a great deal of familiarity with the source material and the referential pop culture surrounding it.

It's using the pokemon premise as an analogy to communicate the ideas behind their own cause, which is especially fitting in this case because it's based off the very game that itself tried to tackle the animal rights issue as it would have applied in the pokemon world.

It even supports the overarching moral of the pokemon series, people and pokemon living and working together in harmony, as evidenced by the game's ending of Ash and the pokemon joining together to work toward raising awareness of the issue of pokemon mistreatment.

I can see we're not going to agree on this. Again, in my opinion, the blood, needles, shackles and knives quite definitely pose a malicious misrepresentation of the Pokemon franchise.
The art direction is a tad over-the-top in its garishness. But I don't think it's intended to be commentary on the games themselves as it is an illustration of the abuses faced by animals in the real world. The message isn't "Pokemon is bad." It's just using Pokemon to get their point across.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

This is legit ace even if I agree with like none of it.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Parody or no, it's sad to see this series shown in this negative light.

Especially since it was originally created back in early 90's purely to give the link cable a purpose. Since back then only a small hand full of games made use of it.

Honestly I might sell my black version because of this. It's just hard to look at it now after seeing this rather dark parody.

[Bells]

i honestly don`t need PETA to see any of these arguments, i was pretty aware of them before... also, i don`t really recall people give much of a shit about Pokemon`s story. At least not in their actual target demographic. But then again, my last game was gold...

...How many games can i twist around to make the player the bad guy with a wrist-bend-twist? Specially RPG`s... i can`t think of a single one that could get by clean if you wanna look at it this way. Have you ever farmed for items or XP`s? Ever killed wildlife to progress? "murderer..."

I also 100% dislike PETA. Not because of their message, mostly cause their message isn`t THEIRS. Others have been making the same points for years. Other groups do it today. THeir actions and organization are dangerous, hypocritical and just straight out criminal.

So yeah... they can twist a children`s game to make noise for themselves... no new point made. just made grittier and by shittier people.

[RobinStarwing]

*blinks* PETA....

I, as a fan of this series, also happen to know and am familiar with many of the points others have made in this thread so far. That much said, the series itself does a good job of addressing cruelty towards Pokemon; though in a more kid-friendly fashion that will not scar their minds and outrage parents.

Am I going to stop playing it? No. Because there are other positive messages in the games and show as well and I enjoy the game.

I think PETA though seriously needs to hope Nintendo and Game Freak do not come after them for anything.

SHAMELESS BEGGING: If any of you are thinking of getting rid of your Black 2 or White 2 game you just got cause of said insanity; message me! I will happily give it a loving and caring home. *Hugs his RBY, GSC, Sapphire, Emerald, DPPtHG, and Black games*

[POS Industries]

Honestly I might sell my black version because of this. It's just hard to look at it now after seeing this rather dark parody.
I'm gonna level with you, bro, this isn't even the most shocking thing someone's done with Pokemon on the internet.

If all it takes to make you dislike something is to see someone online something kinda dark and gross with it, get ready to never like anything ever again.

[Bells]

I think PETA though seriously needs to hope Nintendo and Game Freak do not come after them for anything.

That's exactly what PETA wants... cause it's free publicity and they get more attention and donations from a bunch of [i wanna say stupid people, but that might be a bit much perhaps?] with half-facts.

Have Nintendo even Acknowledge their stupid bullshit would bet a wet dream for them.

Not too long ago they had a similar shtick done with Cooking Mama!

[The SSB Intern]

Whatever message was, the long and heavy handed dialogue (coming from Pikachu?) had me bored quite quickly. Now, if we can have a game where you play as the cuccoos as they plot their vengeance on Link, then you'll have my attention.

[RobinStarwing]

Whatever message was, the long and heavy handed (coming from Pikachu?) had me bored quite quickly. Now, if we can have a game where you play as the cuccoos as they plot their vengeance on Link, then you'll have my attention.

Cuccoos of Hyrule...the original Angry Birds.

[rpgdemon]

Whatever message was, the long and heavy handed (coming from Pikachu?) had me bored quite quickly. Now, if we can have a game where you play as the cuccoos as they plot their vengeance on Link, then you'll have my attention.

THEY EXIST FOR THEIR OWN REASONS.

VAGUE, REASONS, OF THEIR OWN REASONS.

I actually thought the game was pretty hilarious at points. "Man, I hope there's not another sad video in this chest..." was totally thrown in there by the programmers, if I had to guess.

[Kyanbu The Legend]

I'm gonna level with you, bro, this isn't even the most shocking thing someone's done with Pokemon on the internet.

If all it takes to make you dislike something is to see someone online something kinda dark and gross with it, get ready to never like anything ever again.

Honestly it's the fact that PETA of all groups did this that shocked me.

Was under the impression that they were above this kind of thing.



I think PETA though seriously needs to hope Nintendo and Game Freak do not come after them for anything.



I doubt Nintendo will notice this. Considering this kind of thing happens very often. In fact I doubt they'll even humur this with a mention much care about PETA's opinion on a video game.

[Bells]

Was under the impression that they were above this kind of thing.


The more you search, the worst you'll find. I assure you this.

http://features.peta.org/CookingMama/

[phil_]

Was under the impression that they were above this kind of thing.Not to echo Bells too much, but PETA are pretty much a disgrace to any activist group anywhere. Here's a biased link. (http://www.petakillsanimals.com/) I leave it as an exercise to the reader/the audience/my non-drunk self to research how PETA exists primarily to enrich Newkirk.

[Bells]

Hell, if biased sources are Ok, here you go...

inFtOMx8nDU

[Kyanbu The Legend]

Not to echo Bells too much, but PETA are pretty much a disgrace to any activist group anywhere. Here's a biased link. (http://www.petakillsanimals.com/) I leave it as an exercise to the reader/the audience/my non-drunk self to research how PETA exists primarily to enrich Newkirk.

Wow that's a real shame, geez PETA's worse then Team Plasma.

I guess I didn't know PETA as well as I thought I did.

[POS Industries]

Yeah, they're awfully shitty. There are other animal rights groups out there with a much better track record, like the ASPCA and the Humane Society.

[RobinStarwing]

Yeah, they're awfully shitty. There are other animal rights groups out there with a much better track record, like the ASPCA and the Humane Society.

That, in my opinion, is an understatement.

[Odjn]

If PETA wasn't an animal rights organization I might actually pay attention to this. But since it is PETA, and they are an animal rights organization, it's a waste of time.

[Kim]

Animal rights is a pretty legit thing.

[Meister]

If all it takes to make you dislike something is to see someone online something kinda dark and gross with it, get ready to never like anything ever again.
I never looked at Final Fantasy the same way. (www.nuklearpower.com) :(

[Odjn]

Animal rights is a pretty legit thing.

Animal welfare is! Animal rights is mostly bunk.

[A Zarkin' Frood]

Look at these living things. They don't deserve rights.

[Odjn]

Yep. They get good treatment. They are not people.

Edit: Excluding certain high functioning animals, such as some primates which display a lot of near human cognitive abilities. Maybe they should get rights. But not people rights.