The Dyad That Began The Franchise

Here we see the iconic dyad of the Pokémon franchise. The so-called “dyad,” of the Pokémon realm is in reference to their video games. The Pokémon games are unique and widely seen as the most iconic form of media interaction with its audience. The games were the kick start to the whole franchise, even though it is not what made it famous, it is in part a large contribution as to why the franchise continues on today. What makes these games iconic is that Pokémon games are released (but not typically purchased) in pairs.

While the two games are separate, they are by and large the same game, but they are two separate versions with many minor differences scattered throughout each of them. What makes this even more unique is that these game’s “minor differences are typically known as exclusive content. Now this content is exclusive to whichever game they present themselves in and the other version of the game can obtain its sister game’s exclusive content by digitally connecting with another device with its sister game on it. This incorporated an element of real world effort/interaction where one who played these games would need to make a friend and meet in order to do this task.

This, among many other reasons, is why the game did so well for itself. For example, according to Duke University’s publishing of Pikachu’s Global Adventure, it is stated that there can be social benefits to playing pokemon and has “seen to develop social and communicative competencies-skills in negotiation, self confidence, and even tolerance for others.” Overall, the games are the start of the franchise that successfully sent people in a frenzy, launching the world of pokemon to where it is today.

Sources: Tobin, Joseph. Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of pokémon. Durham, NC. Duke University, 2004.