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Post by Alex on Sept 4, 2013 20:04:20 GMT
On a more disappointing note, apparently one has to pay a fee to transfer their Pokémon from 5th gen to 6th. [censored] that off. Not quite. The Pokemon Bank application will cost 500 Yen (less than a fiver) a year to use - but comes with a short free trial at launch this Christmas (until the end of January). As part of the app, you get the Pokemon Transporter app for free, which will import your Pokemon from Gen V into Pokemon Bank for you to download into X/Y. The small annual fee is to cover the on-going costs of running the servers for the application (which, hopefully, will be going through Amazon rather than some cheap [censored] server in Japan like the Dream World fell over on), and at such a small amount per person, per year, I suspect it's still a loss-making operation regardless. Either way, you'll have, effectively, over a month to use the service for free to transfer Pokemon into X/Y. And for such a small amount on such an infrequent basis, I can't say I'm too bothered about continuing on the service. Unfortunately, I recently lost my copy of Pokemon White that featured pretty much all the Pokemon I'd kept since Ruby, so a lot of what I'd be excited about for Pokemon Bank is kinda lost for me now along with that game. I'll look forward to seeing it in use in future games, though. I'd much rather have this one centralised box than to have to keep constantly shifting stuff over game to game.
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Post by L. T. Dangerous on Sept 4, 2013 20:43:38 GMT
£Anything-per-year is ridiculous when transferring between Generations has been free for the last 14 years (not including between II and III, obviously, where it's not possible).
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Post by Alex on Sept 4, 2013 21:09:43 GMT
The point here is that you're not paying for that service. You're paying for the continuing use of the Pokemon Bank service.
DS games and 3DS games cannot directly communicate, so there is no real way for you to directly send your Pokemon from Gen V into Gen VI. What they can do, however, is use the save game data of the DS game you have in your 3DS when using the Pokemon Transporter app and import the Pokemon from that game into the Pokemon Bank servers. Since you cannot play a physical 3DS title whilst also having a DS title in the system, there is no way for them to be able to do this transfer in any way other than the intermediary solution they're providing. It would either be this, or not being able to do it at all as was the case between Gen II and Gen III when there was absolutely no way of getting around the fact that GBC games could not communicate with GBA games.
The ideal solution would be for everyone downloading Pokemon Bank to get a free month of using the service regardless of when they download it, which would allow anyone to import their Pokemon at any point and then decide if they wish to pay the nominal fee for the use of the service. However, I also suspect that given that the service doesn't even launch until months after X/Y comes out (and thus isn't even exclusively in the realm of early adopters, but rather much more practically in the position for anyone getting it for Christmas), that pretty much anyone that is really interested in transferring over their Pokemon from Gen V into their X/Y games will be able to do so for absolutely nothing anyway.
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Post by L. T. Dangerous on Sept 5, 2013 8:29:41 GMT
The point here is that you're not paying for that service. You're paying for the continuing use of the Pokemon Bank service. Which does what, exactly, beyond transfer my Pokémon? Also, I doubt it's for server costs. Surely they have other games that are a bit more intensive on the Internet than Pokémon Boxin' 2: Electric Pikachu.
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Post by Alex on Sept 5, 2013 8:55:57 GMT
The point here is that you're not paying for that service. You're paying for the continuing use of the Pokemon Bank service. Which does what, exactly, beyond transfer my Pokémon? The point is that you're confusing the Pokemon Bank service (what you pay for) with the free app (Pokemon Transporter) for transferring from Gen IV to V. Unless you get the games after the end of January, you will be able to do that transfer completely free. As I said in my post, the best solution would be for everyone at every time to get a month free to be able to do exactly that for no cost - but again, I also very much suspect that most people that care enough about it will be in a position to do so during that month. I can tell you very, very much that it is is for server costs. And that it's almost certainly not operating at even close to breaking even at the paltry sum they're asking for. Under the assumption that they'll be either using Amazon itself, or a service that's at least competitively priced with Amazon, you're not only paying for the bandwidth or storage space used, but each and every individual request to it. With Pokemon, that's a huge number in potential and, believe me, when you start hitting those figures, this does not come cheap. For context, recently I was the developer on the digital side of the sponsorship of two prime time TV shows by a UK supermarket, and for the ability to respond under heavy load (similar to what Pokemon would experience) at peak times (when the sites were advertised during said TV shows), we used Amazon's cloud servers for hosting. We were serving 'only' a few hundred thousand in those peak times (at launch, Pokemon Bank could reasonably expect to be hammered with millions of requests from around the world), and settling out at a few thousand per hour in other times. The cost for what we used on Amazon's servers during two 6-8 week periods was in the millions of pounds. We had extremely light websites developed specifically for the purpose of surviving under heavy load (before we confirmed the use of Amazon's scalable cloud servers), so - not dissimilar to Pokemon Bank, really - a lot of that was literally just down to the number of requests. The fact is, at the sum that's being requested for this service, even in the numbers it would likely attract, will almost certainly still be making this service operate at a loss. However, you'll find it's a lot easier to get your bosses to sign off on making less of a loss than a total loss - especially if you're running one of the most lucrative franchises in the world and can make up some of the shortfall elsewhere.
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Post by Alex on Sept 5, 2013 11:56:27 GMT
On a separate note, X/Y will be playable at Eurogamer Expo this month Along with other things. Almost certainly going to be the same demo that's already done the rounds - so nothing new to come from it really, but it'll be nice to get a quick hands-on preview of the game before next month.
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Post by The Shad on Oct 3, 2013 18:56:38 GMT
Squirtle has had enough of your [censored].
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Post by ShayMay on Oct 4, 2013 7:51:49 GMT
So there have been a [censored]LOAD of leaks. Won't post any here, but I will post this.
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Post by Badly-Drawn Manchild on Oct 12, 2013 14:51:58 GMT
So Pokemon X and Y are now out, I have Pokemon X in my possession and have played it for a bit. My initial thoughts?
Well, graphically it's really nice, evoking the feel of the old 2D games will still taking better advantage of the 3D technology, using sweeping camera angles and over-the-shoulder views. The battles look really good; while the Pokemon still don't make physical contact, their animations are much improved and it feels like playing one of the Stadium games.
I'm surprised by how expansive the online options are and the fact that they're available from the start. I really love the idea of the Passersby and being able to send things like quick health boosts to friends; it really turns the game into very nearly the Pokemon MuMORPeGer that everyone wants. One thing though is that there doesn't seem to be a way to have the game connect to the Internet by default, though I'm assuming that's because you may not be in an area with an access point available.
Funnily enough though, the feature I'm most looking forward to using more is character customisation through boutiques and such. This is something I've wanted in the series since Day One and I can't believe it's taken them this long to implement it (hell, it took them long enough just to let you choose your gender). Sure, I'm not expecting Saints Row levels of customisation and clothing options - I'm not exactly expecting to run around dressed up like a Pokemon mascot - but it's a positive step nonetheless.
Also noticed that Pikachu actually has his proper "voice" in this game. Why do I get the feeling he's the only old-school Pokemon that's had his call updated? Will I still have to endure Charizard's indistinct 8-bit fuzz?
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Post by ShayMay on Oct 12, 2013 15:22:22 GMT
I would love it if they updated the old cries, keeping the same tone and everything but having them be, y'know, not 8-bit. I'm not really enthusiastic about the 3DS roaring "PIKA PIKA" at me every time someone sends one out.
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Post by Feniiku on Oct 13, 2013 2:17:10 GMT
They have updated a lot of the cries, they still sound old style but a lot less bitty.
Pikachu's is bloody out of place though and it irritates me :/ especially since Pichu and Raichu still have the zappy-type cries.
(I've got Y, and I've had it since Thursday >_>)
I love that most of the towns feel -lived in- now, if you know what I mean?
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Post by Ringo (2015 Edition) on Oct 13, 2013 9:12:18 GMT
I've had Y since Friday (Go GAME for sending it early) and it's awesome. I haven't got far though.
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Post by Alex on Oct 15, 2013 12:01:05 GMT
I would love it if they updated the old cries, keeping the same tone and everything but having them be, y'know, not 8-bit. I'm not really enthusiastic about the 3DS roaring "PIKA PIKA" at me every time someone sends one out. They have updated all the old cries. At the very least, everything up to Gen IV has been entirely redone - as since Gen IV, they've been using actual samples and sounds instead of just whatever clicks and beeps the sound chip on the system could be coaxed into doing. Potentially everything, though, as Pokemon have mulitple cries now depending on their reactions in Pokemon Amie and when they faint. Pikachu got its anime voice on a special case as it's the star of the franchise - they won't be extending that to any others, probably ever. Not the least of the reasons being that 99% of the Pokemon have different names across languages. I've managed to beat the Elite 4/Champion as of yesterday, and seriously need friend codes for the Friend Safari feature afterwards, so if you'd like to add me on your 3DSen, I'll add you back. My code: 1160-9703-8530
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Post by Badly-Drawn Manchild on Oct 15, 2013 15:12:20 GMT
I haven't played it since beating the first gym; just haven't had the time or the moodset to really engage myself with it.
My Friend Code, for those interested and don't have it (will add yours, Alex): 1805-2648-3711
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Post by Devo DrakeFox on Oct 25, 2013 7:03:45 GMT
My friend code is 0688-6002-1799
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Post by Feniiku on Oct 25, 2013 13:08:17 GMT
Anyone aware of the Lumiose save bug, you can download a patch to fix it by having the game in your console and going to the eshop.
3652-0717-3375, I'll add numbers I find on here later on.
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Post by Devo DrakeFox on Oct 25, 2013 17:13:51 GMT
Duly noted. How far into the game is Lumiose anyway?
I've just defeated the first Gym Leader and I'm quite impressed with the variety of Pokemon that can be caught so early on. My current party consists of:-
Pikachu (Blitz) Lvl. 10 Pidgey (Swift) Lvl. 11 Fennekin (McCloud) Lvl. 12 Simipour (Sprinkle) Lvl. 10 Simisage (Tingle) Lvl. 10 Spewpa (Dandruff) Lvl. 10
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Post by Feniiku on Oct 26, 2013 3:10:18 GMT
Lumiose is that huge round city in the center of the map, I think you visit the southern part of it as the fourth city.
I've completed Y. My team's currently in the mid 80s, consisting usually of Delphox, Gogoat, Lapras, Furfrou, and Talonflame, with the six always changing and sometimes shuffled about for wi-fi battles.
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Post by The Stiv™ on Oct 26, 2013 8:13:52 GMT
2621-3092-9542
Got Pokémon X but barely touched it yet. I'll be on a LOT more in a few weeks time!
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Post by ShayMay on Nov 2, 2013 15:25:24 GMT
Got Y yesterday. It's very good!
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Post by Devo DrakeFox on Nov 3, 2013 19:29:05 GMT
Heads up, Pokemon players. Word's been spreading on Facebook and on forums across the web about a nasty game-destroying glitch, and I don't mean the Lumiose City glitch.
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Post by Pete on Nov 3, 2013 21:58:44 GMT
1762-2916-5189
I have to say, since getting my 3DS online, I've spent an awful long time on the Wonder Trade; a Fletchling for a Fennekin? Bargain! Although the GTS is still as broken as ever- an Eevee for a Mewtwo- bugger off.
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Post by Devo DrakeFox on Nov 3, 2013 23:26:28 GMT
That's hardly the fault of the system, that's just other players being idiots.
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Post by Alex on Nov 4, 2013 19:07:19 GMT
It's been even worse since the event legendaries began leaking out - now almost everyone is just asking for those, so there's just no trade possible.
Wonder Trades are a better shot all around of getting something decent.
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Post by Devo DrakeFox on Nov 4, 2013 23:01:17 GMT
What I don't like about the trade system is being allowed to pick the level range of the monsters you want because then you just limit the options of other players who may have the one you want but not at the level you want. Why should specific levels matter? I mean, are people just too damn lazy to train the monsters up themselves? That doesn't make a lot of sense since traded monsters level up faster than ones you capture yourself, so it's not that big a deal.
But anyway, enough with the tangent. Today, I defeated Team Flare and captured Yveltal. Really damn easily too, I might add. I didn't use the Master Ball, I used a Quick Ball. Sure I knocked its health down to critical in one attack but Legendaries are supposed to be hard to catch no matter what ball you use. I used one Quick Ball and got it straight away.
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