I Choose You! Diversity in the Design of Pokémon Jenny Saucerman, Amanda Ochsner
In this piece, we argue that the Pokémon series serves as an example of how game developers can make design for inclusive for player communication systems, diverse character representations, and player experiences without alienating their core gamer fan bases. We choose to focus and elaborate on three particular features of the Pokémon series in this article. First, we describe the rigid structure for how players are able to communicate with one another and how this structure prevents player harassment. Second, we argue that Pokémon has allowed for increased customization of characters as the series has progressed, but it remains a minimal feature that players can customize—or not—as they play. Finally, we argue that the Pokémon series supports a variety of ways to approach gameplay without ghettoizing any one approach. We explore these design features in greater detail and make recommendations for other game designers.
