what the pokemon tcg has given me...
i can't even begin to list the benefits my involvement in this game has brought to my life.
i have a shared interest with my two sons that we all enjoy.
i've been able to travel...to worlds, to nationals...because of this game. i've met people both online and IRL that i probably would NEVER have met otherwise, and some of those people have become some of my dearest friends. i've seen people turn their lives around because of this game, and seen/heard some actual works of art created because of a 'seed' sown through pokémon.
the chain of causality which began with this game has lead to other IRL changes for myself and friends i've met through this...religious/spiritual ones, artistic ones, work/job ones. when you go back and look for the 'common thread' in all this, it all leads back to pokémon: if we'd not been involved with the game, we'd never have been online on that forum, and never have met those people, and never have...etc. etc. etc.
there aren't many games that can be simple enough for a five year old to play and still be complex enough for two adults to spend an hour+ on a single game, going down to last prizes on both sides; there's something very special here, and I think we lose sight of that sometimes. age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality...all these things have been transcended by this 'silly' game and anime.
it's all about the 'ties'...the ties we form with others through the medium of this game and/or the anime. i've made wonderful friends from throughout the world via this game...and probably some enemies, too...as well as experienced some inevitable conflict, and heartache; after all, nothing is perfect...
...did i mention fun? and friends? some friends i've had the opportunity to meet in real life, others i've not...but the ties are still there, and our lives are richer for them, and they influence us more than one can ever imagine a 'silly' anime or 'childrens' game' ever could. people who started out as just names on a message board are now friends i can't imagine not being part of my life...and i wouldn't trade ANY of it, the good and the bad...for anything.
i have a shared interest with my two sons that we all enjoy.
i've been able to travel...to worlds, to nationals...because of this game. i've met people both online and IRL that i probably would NEVER have met otherwise, and some of those people have become some of my dearest friends. i've seen people turn their lives around because of this game, and seen/heard some actual works of art created because of a 'seed' sown through pokémon.
the chain of causality which began with this game has lead to other IRL changes for myself and friends i've met through this...religious/spiritual ones, artistic ones, work/job ones. when you go back and look for the 'common thread' in all this, it all leads back to pokémon: if we'd not been involved with the game, we'd never have been online on that forum, and never have met those people, and never have...etc. etc. etc.
there aren't many games that can be simple enough for a five year old to play and still be complex enough for two adults to spend an hour+ on a single game, going down to last prizes on both sides; there's something very special here, and I think we lose sight of that sometimes. age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality...all these things have been transcended by this 'silly' game and anime.
it's all about the 'ties'...the ties we form with others through the medium of this game and/or the anime. i've made wonderful friends from throughout the world via this game...and probably some enemies, too...as well as experienced some inevitable conflict, and heartache; after all, nothing is perfect...
...did i mention fun? and friends? some friends i've had the opportunity to meet in real life, others i've not...but the ties are still there, and our lives are richer for them, and they influence us more than one can ever imagine a 'silly' anime or 'childrens' game' ever could. people who started out as just names on a message board are now friends i can't imagine not being part of my life...and i wouldn't trade ANY of it, the good and the bad...for anything.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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Yes, an amazing game. Color, role-play and whimsy for the young... add strategy for the adult. Very very unique in crossing age lines, especially, but others, too.Posted 01/07/2008 at 10:20 PM by bulbasnore 
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Loved the read Mom it's funny have a "kids" game can evolve into a game for all ages Love the ride hope it never ends.
BLiZzPosted 02/05/2008 at 02:26 PM by BLiZzArD
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So thrilled with the time that the game has given my son and I to be together, to share, the memories we will have forever, I had not even thought about the broader power of the game.
Really nice write, thanks for the enjoyable read.
JohnPosted 09/07/2009 at 06:45 PM by PokeDad
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There aren't that many games that have strategy in them for kids, and adults.Posted 07/17/2010 at 08:01 PM by drpokey
