Ashamed by the response of some fans to Dexit, more generous-hearted pokéfans have been thanking developer Game Freak on Twitter.
As far as some Pokémon fans are concerned the controversy over Dexit constitutes a huge betrayal, that justifies them abusing the developers on social media and threatening to murder them.
But not everyone feels that way. Other fans have managed to get the hashtag #ThankYouGameFreak trending worldwide, filled with their own fan art and positive messages.
The idea was started by YouTuber MysticUmbreon, who was appalled when he saw so-called fans sending death threats to Game Freak employees online.
Pokemon was always there for me even when I felt like no one else was ? #ThankYouGameFreak pic.twitter.com/rcAj125M1t
— VERSY? (@Versiris) November 10, 2019
I was interviewed by GameFreak at their office back in January. All I can say is that the people I met there were extremely friendly and kindhearted. Felt like a family. And the games they make have been having such a positive impact on my life and many other’s#ThankYouGameFreak pic.twitter.com/RbpgEC6xwO
— Nono! (@Rno71) November 9, 2019
Thank you, Game Freak, for letting me meet so many amazing people and helping me create some of the strongest friendships I have ever had #ThankYouGameFreak pic.twitter.com/eKnaVo3mgq
— Marco Jarry (@JarryMarco) November 11, 2019
#ThankYouGameFreak A few years ago this would’ve only included my absolute love & respect for the craft that is Pokémon. More than 20 years of shared story, characters & sounds in my life. But now I thank you for my career too & the thousands of friends I’ve made along the way ♥️ pic.twitter.com/BdVKHVnAOi
— ZoëTwoDots❗️ #TeamGORocket (@_ZoeTwoDots) November 10, 2019
Without Pokémon I wouldn’t have met my husband ? we both love these games so much and I’m eternally grateful that this franchise led me to love and happiness until the day I die ??? #ThankYouGameFreak pic.twitter.com/Bony00xnv5
— ☕️ELA ? (@TheCafeEla) November 11, 2019
Dexit, if you were blissfully unaware, is the nickname for the fact that for the first time the new Pokémon Sword and Shield games will not have every Pokémon ever invented in them, but instead around half.
Apart from becoming generally unwieldy, Game Freak has said the effort to create and animate every single creature in 3D on the Switch, instead of the more low-tech 3DS, has made it impossible to include every single pokémon.
When they spoke to us recently though they did imply that more would be added to the game over time, once it launches.
It’s not the only Pokémon related hashtag that’s doing the rounds at the moment though, as #PokemonForHK has also been trending.
There doesn’t seem to be any real connection between Pokémon and Hong Kong, but if nothing else it helps to keep the spotlight on the situation in China.
Pokémon Sword and Shield will be released on Friday, 15 November for Nintendo Switch. The review embargo is set for Wednesday afternoon.
Hey! HKers are drawing #PokemonForHK — even if you can’t draw, we’re still grateful for your best Diglett or Ditto!
In case some of our foreign friends aren’t familiar with our protest symbols, here’s a quick summary of the common ones.#Pokemon #PokemonSwordShield pic.twitter.com/1zjQLpFvPU
— pikat ?? (@pikatl) November 6, 2019
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