Update [Wed 21st Sep, 2022 10:26 BST]: In a press release mimicking its response to Joe Merrick, The Pokémon Company has doubled down on its stance relating to Nuzlocke runs, stating to Eurogamer that “The Pokémon Company International doesn’t have any points with followers or creators taking part in the video video games with Nuzlocke guidelines”.

As talked about within the unique article, The Pokémon Company’s assertion maybe signifies that it had extra of a problem selling the Nuzlocke Challenge in an official capability, somewhat than taking umbrage with the Nuzlocke Challenge as an idea.

So when you’re seeking to stream a Nucklocke run sooner or later, then fear not; the Pokémon ninjas will not be visiting your private home any time quickly!

Original Article [Mon 19th Sep, 2022 10:30 BST]:

Well then, here is your ‘Bizarre News Story of the Week™’. In a clip posted on Twitter through the most recent episode of the Kit and Krysta podcast, the ex-Nintendo workers acquired a query from one among their Patreon supporters on whether or not they had ever performed a ‘Nuzlocke run’ of Pokémon.

This prompted the pair to recount a narrative wherein they pitched an concept to The Pokémon Company to play a Nuzlocke run on an episode of ‘Nintendo Minute’. Apparently, their suggestion was not solely promptly shut down, however they allegedly got here near being fired, with The Pokémon Company stating that the Nuzlocke Challenge is “on the identical stage as a hack or ROM”.

Naturally, this bombshell may come as a little bit of a shock to these conversant in the Nuzlocke Challenge. For the uninitiated, it’s a self-imposed set of group guidelines that should be abided by when taking part in Pokémon. The two primary guidelines embody releasing any Pokémon that faints throughout battle, because it should be thought of “useless”, and that the participant should solely catch the primary Pokémon they arrive throughout inside every space. There are a plethora of extra guidelines that the majority gamers additionally abide by, and you’ll examine all of them on the Nuzlocke Challenge Bulbapedia web page.

Regardless of your familiarity with the Nuzlocke Challenge, our temporary overview ought to make it clear that it is not on the identical stage as hacking or ROMs; it’s merely a set of self-imposed restrictions that happen inside the core parameters of the sport. Indeed, Kit and Krysta have been clearly shocked by the response from The Pokémon Company and highlighted its unpredictability with reference to group strategies.

Since the discharge of the clip, Serebii webmaster Joe Merrick said that he had contacted The Pokémon Company relating to the declare, who confirmed that gamers are free to play Pokémon video games in whichever means they see match, as long as it stays inside the confines of the sport itself, stating “we do not have any issues with fans/creators playing the games with Nuzlocke rules”.

While there is not any doubt that Kit and Krysta’s story is true, we suspect that there could have been some miscommunication relating to the definition of hacks and ROMs and their relation (or lack thereof) to the Nuzlocke Challenge. It’s potential that whereas The Pokémon Company has no subject with the Nuzlocke Challenge in itself, it maybe wasn’t eager on the problem being showcased through an official channel equivalent to Nintendo Minute. Regardless, Kit and Krysta seem to have taken the controversy of their stride, posting an amusing tweet yesterday night:

What do you make of Kit and Krysta’s claims? Are you a fan of the Nuzlocke Challenge? Let us know within the feedback under.