I'll be completely honest in saying that the post I was considering before this was intended to be a follow-up of my previous one, just that the more I kept thinking over it, and finding it just didn't seem to have the message I was intending, I've decided it needs more thought first. Unlike this one, which I practically had the full idea for within a few hours of playing a demo for an upcoming remake last Thursday.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. A remaster of PMD: Red/Blue Rescue Team. And, man, the memories. Some of you may not know this, but it was with those games that I first had a presence within any Pokemon communities online, on the old Nintendo forums, and thinking back on those memories, I felt like there may be some refreshing stories, and lessons, to tell.
One of the bonuses of the PMD games, and one that, while inaccessible in the demo, the menu shows is keeping true to the originals, was the ability to use passcodes given from person to person in order to rescue, or be rescued, in game by a fellow player. I couldn't even tell you anymore how many I at least tried to help, as at the time there were more experienced rescuers. But, one thing I recall very clearly, is the warming feeling of either typing or seeing those rescued codes with the tag "No reward necessary". I think there was at least four or five of us that took on those missions just to help others have better experiences with the games, and it was a sense of community that so often gets overlooked anymore.
It's easy to fall into traps of discouragement. Someone's first try in any competitive scene is often met with judgement of choice or being barraged with the supposed helpful tips or suggestions that forget to account for the lack of skill or knowledge one may have. Some may even get discouraged at the losses themselves, not aware of the experience they are intended to gain. Yet, with PMD, the scene was cooperative, with really the only competitive side being races to the bottom of the ninety-nine floor dungeons. Hell, I even knew of some who used the rescuer system as a way to trade in-game items that were hard to find.
People get so wrapped up in competing with each other, even when there's nothing to compete over. I feel it can almost be a detriment, forcing our own focus on one path and away from another. But how to implement those more cooperative paths, that's the real trick of it all, and of course the solutions vary problem to problem. But I feel the best place to start is in absence of the competition, perhaps in search of those who would honestly say "No reward necessary" to any help they can provide.
If any of you should find yourselves down on your luck on your own mystery dungeon adventures, Team FlameSquad is always ready to lend a hand, if able.
Just a penny's worth of thoughts, for those who decide to read them.
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