User:Landfish7/Pokémon fan gameplay
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There are a variety of unique and unintended ways in which fans play Pokémon games. These may involve self-imposed limitations, rules, or challenges, unintended use of game mechanics or glitches, modification of the games themselves via external tools, or even the creation of entirely new games through modification of existing games or as standalone projects built using development tools and game engines.
Fan challenges
Speedrunning
- Main article: Speedrun
A speedrun involves completing a game or certain game objectives as quickly as possible within a set of rules. Speedrunning, performed by speedrunners, is a popular challenge among fans, with runs often recorded or live-streamed for verification and entertainment. Pokémon speedrunning events are common at marathons like GDQ and other game-specific events.
Pokémon speedruns pose unique challenges due to the games' RNG nature, which relies on randomness to determine battle outcomes. As a result, runners must excel in risk management and adapt their strategies to account for variability in game outcomes.
Nuzlocke Challenge
- Main article: Nuzlocke Challenge
The Nuzlocke Challenge is a set of self-imposed rules designed to increase the difficulty of Pokémon games. A playthrough using these rules if often referred to as a "Nuzlocke". Many players feel that these rules encourage them to use Pokémon they would not normally choose and promote closer bonds with their in-game team.
Exploits and cheating
- Main article: Cheating
Glitches and RNG are sometimes exploited by players to circumvent the restrictions of normal gameplay. Additionally, some players use third-party devices to alter game data, often to give them an advantage that would not usually be available. This action, often referred to as cheating, is most frequently used to obtain or duplicate rare Pokémon or items, particularly those which would otherwise require attending an event.
Game modification and fan games
ROM hacks and modding
- Main article: ROM hack
ROM hacks are video games altered or edited by enthusiasts who modify the code of a published video game to create something new. They allow for a wide range of modifications and fan-made games, ranging from minor adjustments of existing games to the creation of entirely new fan-made Pokémon games. Simple modification of existing games is often referred to as "modding", with individual modifications referred to as "mods".
Bootlegs
Bootlegs are unauthorized copies of games sold to players under the pretense of being official, often for monetary gain. Unlike ROM hackers, who distribute their work for free, bootleggers illegally sell fan-made ROM hacks, often flashing them onto third-party cartridges.
Standalone games
Pokémon fan games built using pre-existing development tools and game engines are usually created by fans attempting to emulate the formula of the Pokémon games such as the core series or specific spin-off games.
