Pokémon Global Link
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| Pokémon Global Link | |||
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| Provider | Pokémon.com | ||
| Launched | Generation V
Generation VI
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| Shutdown | {{{shutdown}}} | ||
| Service provided | Manages various online services content from the Generation V and VI games. | ||
| Accessible by | Nintendo DS* (Lite, DSi, DSi XL) Nintendo 3DS* (XL, 2DS) | ||
| Website | Generation VI English main page | ||
The Pokémon Global Link is a multiplayer feature in Generation V which is run using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. It is analogous to the Global Terminal in Generation IV.
In Pokémon Black and White, the Global Link is activated with an item called the Dream Mist. This is obtained early in the game from a Munna. If the Dream Mist is given to Fennel she will set up the Global Link for the player.
The Global Link allows players to enter the Pokémon Dream World where they can catch Pokémon otherwise not obtainable in Unova.
The Global Link service is confirmed to return in Generation VI.
Website
Generation V
Like the GTS, the Global Link has an accompanying website. In the early days of the Black and White release, the website was temporarily closed because of traffic concerns. The site was originally set to be back up September 29, 2010, ten days after closing down, but this was moved to October 4. Due to maintenance the Pokémon Dream World did not open to the public until October 13.
To fix the site for the international release of Black and White, planned to be released March 30, 2011, the previously Japanese-only Global Link was disabled of certain features on certain dates. From March 18 to 22, no Pokémon could be obtained from Pokémon Dream World. From March 22 to March 30, Global Link, as well as Game Sync, was made unavailable. This however was extended due to the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Despite delays, Play to Befriend a Pokémon!, a game that allows players to obtain one of the Eeveelutions with their respective Hidden Abilities, was made available on March 28. On the other hand, Global Link itself again became available on April 12, 2011, which was also the premiere of the international versions of the Global Link.
In June 2012, the website underwent another revamp in both appearance and to accommodate compatibility with Pokémon Black 2 and White 2; it was down between June 5 and June 20. During this time, the Global Battle Union was inaccessible and the Game Sync function was inoperable.
Maintenance
The Global Link site undergoes routine maintenance every week. During maintenance all features of the website, as well as the in-game Game Sync, cannot be accessed; maintenance may interrupt those currently using Dream World. Despite this weekly maintenance, the site may undergo additional maintenance when the need rises. Prior to the site closing down to accommodate international versions of Black and White, maintenance was done every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. JST. Prior to the site closing down to accommodate Black 2 and White 2, maintenance was done every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. JST. Currently, the schedule for maintenance is as follows, according to the website:
- Japan and Korea: Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. JST/KST
- US: Tuesdays 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT
- UK: Tuesdays 7 a.m. to Wednesdays 1 a.m. UTC
- Australia: Tuesdays 3 p.m. to Wednesdays 9 p.m. AWST
Occasionally, the amount of time for the maintenance may change. In addition, players who use Pokémon Trainer Club accounts may not be able to access Global Link if the Trainer Club is under maintenance (i.e. if Trainer Club is under maintenance, players may not access the English-language Global Link, but they may access the Japanese-language Global Link).
The future
Generation V
The Pokémon Global Link was closed for maintenance from October 1 to 12, 2013. After this maintenance, users were not be able to sign up for new accounts, and players didn't have access to the demo or add additional games to their accounts. On December 10, 2013, players were no longer able to tuck in new Pokémon, although Pokémon currently tucked in can be played with and woken up. On January 14, 2014, all services offered by the Global Link will be shut down, except the player's ability to untuck Pokémon. This means that players will no longer be able to change their C-Gear skin, Pokémon Musical song, or Pokédex skin.
The GTS will not be affected by this closure, except that the trade history will no longer be viewable. Random Matchup Rating Mode will be shut down, although Free Mode will still be available.
Generation VI
The Generation VI version of the Pokémon Global Link launched on October 12, 2013. Players who register on the Pokémon X and Y Global Link with the same username as on the Pokémon Black, White, Black 2 and White 2 Global Link will be able to carry over certain achievements and records.
Generation VI Global link features
Game info
Game info lists the player's Game Sync ID, when the registered game was last synced, the player's home region, and the player's total Pokédex, When the player started their adventure, when they first entered the Hall of Fame, their current badges, and their trainer message.
Logbook
Every time the player syncs their game, the logbook will show information such as a trade in the Global Trade Station, recently won Medal, or a recently taken Photo.
PokéMileage Club
The PokéMileage Club is an online item shop where players can use Poké Miles to purchase in-game items that will be transferred to their game next time they sync their game. There is also an Attractions feature that is currently unavailable, which lets players spend Poké Miles to play in attractions and receive items by doing so.
Rating Battles
This contains the player's online battle records, including international rankings.
Global Trade Station
Records of Pokémon the player has traded over the Global Link.
Medals
A list of medals the player has earned for actions in the game.
Photos
Any photos taken at Photo Spots around Kalos are transferred for download here.
Friends List
This is a roster for friends the player has currently registered on their 3DS.
Generation V Global Link features
Pokémon Dream World
- Main article: Pokémon Dream World
The Pokémon Dream World allows players to befriend a Pokémon, as well as find items, using a Pokémon they sent using Game Sync by playing various mini-games, as well as exploring the Island of Dreams.
Global Battle Union
- Main article: Global Battle Union
The Global Battle Union or GBU records statistics obtained over the Random Matchup feature found in Black and White. Participating players are given ranks that are tallied every season. The GBU also hosts tournaments through the Random Matchup feature.
Profile
The profile allows players to see various pieces of information, such as the most-recent six Pokémon they've befriended on Dream World, the Pokémon they sent via Game Sync, their neighbors on Dream World, the number of Dream Points they have, the Badges they have earned in the game that is synced to the Global Link website, the people that have traded with over the GTS, and people registered in their Pal Pad. They may also edit their avatars and input a code corresponding to their favorite Battle Video.
Accordingly, per account, a player may only have ten Dream Pals on their Dream Pal Roster. This total counts toward registered neighbors as well as pending requests the player has sent. The received requests made by other players do not count toward this number. While the total is ten, a player may not accept a request made while inside the Dream World, unless either a Dream Pal or a Dream Pal request is deleted from the roster on the Global Link profile, to a number less than ten. The Dream World site refers to this as "organizing," as requests can only be accepted while playing in the Dream World.
Customize
This option allows players to customize certain aspects of Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, or White 2. These include the Pokédex and C-Gear skins, as well as Pokémon Musical shows. These customizations will be set in the game after using the Game Sync feature to wake up a Pokémon from Dream World.
E-Z Mail
The E-Z Mail option lets a user send and receive messages called E-Z Mail with Game and Dream Pals over Pokémon Global Link. The letters themselves are preconstructed, with users only able to fill in the blanks.
Promotions
- Main article: List of Pokémon Global Link promotions
The Pokémon Global Link occasionally has promotions players can participate in for a certain period of time. Promotions grant players access to various things. These include Pokémon, Décor, and catalogues obtainable at the Pokémon Dream world, C-Gear skins, Musical shows, and Pokédex skins accessible through the Customization part of the site, as well as special homes players may access in the Dream World. Promotions are usually done in collaboration with other parts of the Pokémon franchise, such as merchandise like books, the TCG, and the anime.
Some of these have passwords players must input before being able to participate in the promotions. Passwords may be of one-time use, requiring players to purchase merchandise.
Trivia
- The English, German, French, Spanish and Italian websites can be used regardless of the language of the game.
- The art style used for the Pokémon Global Link is not exclusive to the site; it has been used in various other parts of the franchise, including Pokémon Center stores and Pokémon Channel, before the Global Link even emerged.
External links
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
