Dr. Argyrios Emmanouloudis has delved into the fascinating social phenomenon of Twitch Plays Pokémon, a collaborative gaming experiment that captivated millions.
Launched in 2014, Twitch Plays Pokémon allowed thousands of players to simultaneously control the game Pokémon Red through the Twitch platform, resulting in chaotic yet captivating gameplay. Despite the potential for disorder, the community successfully completed the game in just 16 days, demonstrating the power of collective action.
"What's interesting is how this project was embraced by the fans," says Argyrios Emmanouloudis, researcher at Erasmus University Rotterdam who has written a study on Twitch Plays Pokémon. "It all started with an anonymous streamer, but it grew into something collective that formed a true community." It led to the development of in-game "safeguards" and fan-driven archival work. The project’s impact is still felt today, as the Twitch Plays Pokémon community continues to thrive, celebrating its 10th anniversary and influencing other games and fan-driven content.
"Twitch Plays Pokémon remains an unofficial experience that anyone can participate in," adds Argyrios Emmanouloudis. "Despite being part of one of the most well-known franchises in the video game industry and streamed on Amazon's platform!" So far, Nintendo, which is highly protective of its creations, has not taken any steps to harm the project and has even encouraged it as a form of free publicity.
Twitch Plays Pokémon has been imitated with games like Street Fighter and Elden Ring, but none have reached the same level of popularity. "The fact that Pokémon is more widely known and more entertaining definitely plays a role," notes Argyrios Emmanouloudis. "There really is no equivalent."
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Read the full article (in French) via Twitch plays Pokémon, 10 ans après, que reste-t-il de cette expérience ? (ladn.eu)