An upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet tournament, officially organized by The Pokémon Company, will introduce innovative AI technology. Though the AI won’t directly influence the competitors,
its inclusion marks a significant development.
Pokémon tournaments, whether in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet or the Pokémon Trading Card Game, draw considerable attention.
However, some spectators may feel disengaged or perplexed while watching, prompting the introduction of this technology.
The Pokémon Dragon King Tournament, as announced by The Pokémon Company, will debut an AI tool named Pokémon Battle Scope (PBS). Developed in collaboration with the Japanese AI company HEROZ,
PBS won’t interfere with the matches but will automatically provide crucial match information. This includes predicting players’ next moves and determining the eventual winner, factoring in various elements such as Pokémon moves, types, weather conditions, and player decisions.
While this development may not significantly impact Pokémon fans immediately, it could influence game commentators if widely implemented. The accuracy of Pokémon Battle Scope remains to be seen, with its debut scheduled for February 25.
This isn’t Pokémon’s first encounter with AI. Fans have previously utilized AI to predict starter evolutions and create fan art. Additionally, Pokémon GO developer Niantic has faced accusations of using AI for promotional art generation. Although Niantic hasn’t confirmed or denied these claims,
it’s announced plans to incorporate AI into Pokémon GO’s augmented reality (AR) features, promising a more interactive gameplay experience.
The integration of AI in gaming, including Pokémon, sparks both excitement and concern. While AI has the potential to revolutionize various industries,
its full impact on gaming remains uncertain. As developers increasingly embrace AI, the future holds intriguing possibilities for Pokémon and gaming as a whole.