Pokémon.com: Difference between revisions

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(Another pass at major updates)
(partial update to the History section and round three of page wide updates)
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[[File:Pokemon_website_logo.png|thumb|200px|right|Logo used for the website until the 2010 overhaul]]
[[File:Pokemon_website_logo.png|thumb|200px|right|Logo used for the website until the 2010 overhaul]]
[[File:2000pokemonworld.png|thumb|200px|right|Logo used for the website in 2000]]
[[File:2000pokemonworld.png|thumb|200px|right|Logo used for the website in 2000]]
'''Pok{{tt|é|Officially uses regular &quot;e&quot;}}mon.com''', known as ''Pokémon World'' prior to 2000, is the official international [[Pokémon]] website, which was first created on January 8, 1998<ref>[http://www.whois.net/whois/pokemon.com WHOIS information for Pokémon.com]</ref>. The website has gone by many different names and used many different Internet addresses throughout its history, such as ''Pokémon-games.com'' and ''Go-Pokemon.com'', though [[The Pokémon Company International]] has finally settled on the simple ''Pokémon.com'' nominer. Four full version of the official Pokémon.com website are maintained, each focusing on a specific language, country, or region. Several other partials websites are also maintained. This current version of the website, introduced on 27 January 2014, saw a complete reorganization of website and its visual style, as well as seeing the prominent return of the "Gotta catch 'em all!" slogan.
'''Pok{{tt|é|Officially uses regular &quot;e&quot;}}mon.com''', known as ''Pokémon World'' prior to 2002, is the official international [[Pokémon]] website, which was first created on 8 January 1998<ref>[http://www.whois.net/whois/pokemon.com WHOIS information for Pokémon.com]</ref>. The website has gone by many different names and used many different Internet addresses throughout its history, such as ''Pokémon-games.com'' and ''Go-Pokemon.com'', though [[The Pokémon Company International]] has finally settled on the simple ''Pokémon.com'' nominer. Four [[#Website versions|full version]] of the official Pokémon.com website are maintained, each focusing on a specific language, country, or region. Several other partials websites are also maintained. The current version of the website, introduced on 27 January 2014, saw a complete reorganization of website content and visual design, as well as seeing the prominent return of the ''"[[Gotta catch 'em all!]]"'' slogan.


==History==
==History==
Most iterations ''Pokémon.com'' website the have had an online [[Pokédex]] in which users could look up information of a [[Pokémon game|video game]] version of a given [[Pokémon]]. On 11 January 2010, the website implemented a complete overhauled of its content and design and added information about [[Pokémon anime]] television episodes, the introduction of [[Pokémon.com online games|Pokémon browser-based online games]], and information concerning the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. The current design was implemented in 27 January 2014 and again represented a complete overhauled. The basic layout was "simplified" along with the incorporation of what had been a largely separate Trading Card Game website, including the incorporation of user customizable Trainer or Avatar system that allowed users to define their owner visual look and style. The updated also refreshed the online Pokédex to include all Pokémon up to [[Generation VI]].
:''NOTE: See [[#External links|External links]] at the bottom of this page in order to view archived versions of the Pokémon.com website.''
{{sectionstub}}
With the official launch of  the ''Pokémon.com'' website on January 8, 1998, it was little more than a repository for [[#News and announcements|News and announcements]] about the then current [[#Video Games|Pokémon video games]], [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]], and [[#Attend Events|organized Play! Pokémon events]]. While using the ''"Pokémon.com"'' web-browser address, the website was referred as ''Pokémon World'' or the ''Pokémon Times''.
 
Between 4 May 1999 and 29 November 1999, the ''Pokémon.com'' website underwent its first redesign. This update introduced new content such as the first version of [[#Play Games|Pokémon browser-based online games]] and an [[#Explore Pokémon|online Pokédex]] in which users could look up information on then current Pokémon video game versions of specific [[Pokémon]] as well as information about [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon anime]] television episodes and movies.
 
Between 9 September 2001 and 24 January 2002, the website underwent a minor overhauled of its design. The only significant changes were the introduction of the [[#Pokémon Center|Pokémon Center]] as a separate online store for purchasing [[Pokémon]] merchandise and the relabeling of the ''Pokémon.com'' website itself from ''Pokémon World'' to just ''Pokémon.com''.
 
In mid-2002 (sometime between 4 June and 22 July), the website underwent a complete overhauled of its design but largely left the content in place.
 
Between 19 June 2003 and 19 July 2003, the website underwent a complete overhauled of its design and content. Content was separate into separate websites. ''Pokémon.com'' retained [[#News and announcements|News and announcements]].  The separate sites were ''Pokémon-games.com'' (March 2003 at least to January 2009) for the [[#Video Games|Pokémon video games]], ''Go-Pokemon.com'', and ''Pokemon-tcg.com'' (from May 2003 to 27 January 2014) for the [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]])
 
On 11 January 2010, the website underwent a complete overhauled of its content and design. This update introduced [[Trainer Token]]s and an early version of the [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] system, the ability to watch select [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon anime]] television episodes as well as the ability to look up information about them, and the initial set of three, current [[#Play Games|Pokémon browser-based online games]]. Prior to the 2010 update, only six online games were available (four being accessible directly and two hidden). These initial three online games were adaptations of games originally distributed on the Japanese [[Pokémon Daisuki Club]] website. The six previous online games were briefly made available on an archive site, which has since been removed.
 
The current version of the ''Pokémon.com'' website was implemented on 27 January 2014 and again represented a complete overhaul of content and design. The basic layout was "simplified" along with the full incorporation of what had also been the separate [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]] website, including the incorporation of the current user customizable [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] system that allows users to define their owner visual look and style.


==Website versions==
==Website versions==
Four full versions of the ''Pokémon.com'' website are currently maintained, each with identical design style, content and content organization, and almost identical news and article information:
Four full versions of the ''Pokémon.com'' website are currently maintained, each with identical design style, content and content organization, and almost identical [[#News and announcements|News and announcements]] information:
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*[[Pokémon in France|French]] full version
*[[Pokémon in France|French]] full version
*[[Pokémon in Germany|German]] full version
*[[Pokémon in Germany|German]] full version
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytr|5px}}; {{roundybr|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*[[Pokémon in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] full version
*[[Pokémon in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] full version
*[[Pokémon in the United States|United States]] full version
*[[Pokémon in the United States|United States]] full version
|}


Additional partial translations of the website exist for several additional countries and languages. These partial versions include full implementations of the [[#Explore Pokémon|Explore Pokémon]] section's [[Pokédex]] and the [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Watch Pokémon TV]] episodes of the [[Pokémon anime]] television series. These partial implementations also incompletely incorporate the [[#Play Games|Play Games]] section's [[Pokémon.com online games|Pokémon browser-based online games]]. The [[#Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]], [[#Video Games|Video Games]], and [[#Attend Events|Attend Events]] sections are unimplemented with the exception of a special section dedicated to the downloadable [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] and a link to the separate [[#Pokémon Global Link|Pokémon Global Link]] website:
{{-}}
Partial translations of the website exist for several additional countries and languages. These partial versions include full implementations of the [[#Explore Pokémon|Explore Pokémon]] section's [[Pokédex]] and the [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Watch Pokémon TV]] episodes of the [[Pokémon anime]] television series. These partial implementations also incompletely incorporate the [[#Play Games|Play Games]] section's [[Pokémon.com online games|Pokémon browser-based online games]]. The [[#Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]], [[#Video Games|Video Games]], and [[#Attend Events|Attend Events]] sections are unimplemented with the exception of a special section dedicated to the downloadable [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] and a link to the separate [[#Pokémon Global Link|Pokémon Global Link]] website:
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*[[Pokémon in Brazil|Brazilian]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Brazil|Brazilian]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Denmark|Danish]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Denmark|Danish]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Finland|Finnish]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Finland|Finnish]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Norway|Norwegian]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Norway|Norwegian]] minisite
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytr|5px}}; {{roundybr|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*[[Pokémon in Russia|Russian]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Russia|Russian]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Sweden|Swedish]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Sweden|Swedish]] minisite
*[[Pokémon in Singapore|Sinapore]]'s site currently links to another full site
*[[Pokémon in Singapore|Sinapore]]'s site currently links to another full site
*[[Pokémon in the Czech Republic|Czech Republic]]'s site currently links to another full site
*[[Pokémon in the Czech Republic|Czech Republic]]'s site currently links to another full site
|}


{{-}}
There are also three office Pokémon websites that do not necessarily reflect the ''Pokémon.com'' design and content:
There are also three office Pokémon websites that do not necessarily reflect the ''Pokémon.com'' design and content:
*Japanese website
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*[[Pokémon Daisuki Club|Japanese]] website (also referred to as the ''Pokémon Daisuki Club'')
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytr|5px}}; {{roundybr|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*[[Pokémon in Thailand|Thialand]] website
*[[Pokémon in Thailand|Thialand]] website
*[[Pokémon in South Korea|South Korean]] website
*[[Pokémon in South Korea|South Korean]] website
|}


==Sections==
==Website sections==
===Landing Page===
===Landing page===
The initial Landing page is the web page users see when they enter Pokémon.com into their web-browser. It is regularly updated to highlight various website content and news. Users may always return to the Landing page by clicking on the "Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!" graphic on the left side of the navigation menu of each Pokémon.com page.
The initial Landing page is the initial page users see when they enter ''"Pokémon.com"'' into their web-browser. It is regularly updated to highlight various website content and news. Users may always return to the Landing page by clicking on the "Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!" graphic on the left side of the website's primary [[#Navigation menu|Navigation menu]] located at the top of each Pokémon.com page.


====News and Announcements====
====News and announcements====
The Landing page incorporates the only direct website link that collates all website news, announcement, and articles in one location: [http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/ http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/]. Otherwise, news articles are spread across the website by topic appearing separately in the [[#Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]], [[#Video Games|Video Games]], and [[#Attend Events|Attend Events]] sections.
The Landing page also incorporates the only direct website link to [[#External links|all collated website news]], announcements, and articles in one location. Otherwise, news articles are spread across the website by topic appearing separately in the [[#Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]], [[#Video Games|Video Games]], and [[#Attend Events|Attend Events]] sections.


Opening news articles that are categorized as ''"pokemon-news"'' on typically but not always earn the user a single [[Trainer Token]].  Articles without the ''"pokemon-news"'' categorization to not earn Trainer Tokens.  However, opening the same article on different full versions of the website do, typically, earn the user a Trainer Token for each of the [[#Website versions|full versions]] of the website.
Opening news articles that are categorized as ''"pokemon-news"'' on typically but not always earn the user a single [[Trainer Token]].  Articles without the ''"pokemon-news"'' categorization to not earn Trainer Tokens.  However, opening the same article on different full versions of the website do, typically, earn the user a Trainer Token for each of the [[#Website versions|full versions]] of the website.


===Account Information===
===Pokémon Trainer Club===
Account Information is found in the upper, left side of the screen. It provides a means for Pokémon.com users to ''"Sign In"'' if they already have an existing account, ''"Join"'' to create an account, and a website ''"Search"'' interface. By creating an account, users are able to earn [[Trainer Tokens]] and [[#Stamps|Stamps]], keep track of [[#Play Games|online browser-based game]] scores, friend other users, and centrally manager other Pokémon accounts.
The ''Pokémon Trainer Club'' contains website user account information. This section is not easily identifiable under the name ''"Pokémon Trainer Club"''. However, it is easy to locate. It is the navigation bar on the upper, left side of most Pokémon.com webpages. It provides a means for Pokémon.com users to ''"Sign In"'' if they already have an existing account, ''"Join"'' to create an account, and also contains a website ''"Search"'' interface. By creating an account, users are able to earn [[Trainer Tokens]] and [[#Stamps|Stamps]], keep track of [[#Play Games|online browser-based game]] scores, friend other users, and centrally manage other Pokémon accounts.


Before the January 2014 update, this section was called the '''The Pokémon Trainer Club''', which was the equivalent of Japan's [http://www.pokemon.jp/ Pokémon Daisuki Club]. Many features were brought over to a more general audience from the Pokémon Daisuki Club, including an early version of the customizable Trainer personalities. Users were required to have a Pokémon Trainer Club account in order to register high scores in the online games or to earn [[Trainer Token]]s. Anyone who had a Pokémon Trainer Club account could also keep track of their [[Play! Pokémon|Organized Play]] statistics.
Before the January 2014 update, ''The Pokémon Trainer Club'' represented the Japan's [[Pokémon Daisuki Club]] brought over to a more general audience. It included an early version of the customizable user [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] personalities. Users were required to have a Pokémon Trainer Club account in order to register high scores in the [[#Play Games|online browser-based games]] or to earn [[Trainer Token]]s. Anyone who had a Pokémon Trainer Club account could also keep track of their [[#Attend Events|Organized Play]] statistics. These features still represent the core functionality of the current Pokémon Trainer Club, even though the design and some of the underlying infrastructure been substantially overhauled.


Once logged into with a user account, a "picture" appears representing the user in the same area of the website layout. When the picture is selected, this area of the website becomes a ''"slide-out window''' allowing the user access to:
Once logged into with a user account, a "picture" appears at the top of the upper, left side navigation bar. This picture represents the user's current  [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]]. When the picture is selected, the side navigation bar becomes a ''"slide-out window''' allowing the user access the following information:
* The user's recent [[#Stamps|Stamps]] collection,
* The user's recent [[#Stamps|Stamps]] collection,
* ''"Favorite Pokémon"'', although full functionality is not currently activated,
* ''"Favorite Pokémon"'', although full functionality is not currently activated,
* A full-body view of the user's ''"Trainer Avatar"'' picture,
* A full-body view of the user's ''"[[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]]"'' picture,
* The user's current  ''"Level"'' based on [[#Stamps|Stamps]] rewards,
* The user's current  ''"Level"'' based on [[#Stamps|Stamps]] rewards,
* The user's current number of [[Trainer Token]]s earned by [[#News and Announcements|reading articles]], [[#Play Games|playing online browser-based games]], and earning [[#Stamps|earning Stamps]] on the Pokémon.com website or earned through the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] downloadable game,
* The user's current number of [[Trainer Token]]s earned by [[#News and announcements|reading articles]], [[#Play Games|playing online browser-based games]], and earning [[#Stamps|earning Stamps]] on the Pokémon.com website or earned through the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] downloadable game,
* Access to the ''"Customize Trainer"'' feature that allows users the ability to adjust their website ''"Trainer"'' picture, and
* Access to the ''"[[#Trainer avatar|Customize Trainer]]"'' feature that allows users the ability to adjust their website ''"Trainer avatar"'' picture, and
* A ''"Shop of Items"'' feature used to purchase items for the user's ''"Customized Trainer"'' with [[Trainer Tokens]] (added on 18 March 2014).
* A ''"Shop for Items/Trainer Store"'' feature users to purchase items for their ''"Trainer avatar"'' with [[Trainer Tokens]] (added on 18 March 2014).


The Pokémon.com ''"Customized Trainer"'' and ''"Shop of Items"'' features are fully compatible with the {{DL|Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|Shop|in-game Shop}} and {{DL|Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|Avatar Creator}}.  [[Trainer Token]]s earned in either location may be used to purchase clothing items on the Pokémon.com website or in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Trainer/Avatar clothing items available for purchase in one are not always available for purchase in the other. Items added in one are not always immediately viewable in the other. However, changes made to the user's ''"Customized Trainer"'' or ''"Customized Avatar"'' in one location will be seen in the other location the next time the user logs back in.
In the ''compressed'' state, once a user is logged in, the upper, left side navigation bar side also provides access to the following information:
* The user's current [[Trainer Token]] total, which takes the user directly to the ''"[[#Trainer avatar|Customize Trainer]]"'' shop when selected,
* A ''"Messages"'' and user ''"[[#Profile overview|Profile overview]]"'' section when selected, where users may adjust settings, add and manager accounts for their children, and centrally manager other Pokémon accounts,
* A ''"Friends"'' section for "friending" and following other users (added on 9 July 2014), and
* A ''"[[#Attend Events|My Play! Pokémon]]"'' section for viewing user information about organized [[Play! Pokémon]] activity.


In the ''compressed'' state, once a user is logged in, the Account Information panel in the upper, left side also provides:
====Trainer avatar====
* The user's current [[Trainer Token]] total, which takes the user directly to the ''"Customized Trainer"'' shop when selected,
The Pokémon.com ''"Customized Trainer"'' and ''"Shop for Items/Trainer Store"'' features are fully compatible with the {{DL|Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|Shop|in-game Shop}} and {{DL|Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|Avatar Creator}}.  [[Trainer Token]]s earned in either location may be used to purchase clothing items on the Pokémon.com website or in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Trainer/Avatar clothing items available for purchase in one are not always available for purchase in the other. Items added in one are not always immediately visible in the other. However, changes made to the user's ''"Customized Trainer"'' or ''"Customized Avatar"'' in one location will be seen in the other location the next time the user logs back in.
* A ''"Messages"'' and user ''"Profile Overview"'' section, where users may adjust settings and add and manager accounts for their children,
* A ''"Friends"'' section for "friending" and following other users (added on 9 July 2014), and
* A ''"My Play! Pokémon"'' section for viewing user information about organized [[Play! Pokémon]] activity.


====Profile Overview====
====Profile overview====
The Profile Overview section provides access to user setting not necessarily specific to the Pokémon.com website itself. It is a central repository for all Pokémon user accounts.
The Profile overview section provides access to user setting not necessarily specific to the Pokémon.com website itself. It is a central repository for all Pokémon user accounts.
* ''"PGL Settings"'' allows users to adjust their [[Pokémon game|Pokémon video games]] settings for the [[#Pokémon Global Link|Pokémon Global Link]].
* ''"PGL Settings"'' allows users to adjust their [[Pokémon game|Pokémon video games]] settings for the [[#Pokémon Global Link|Pokémon Global Link]].
* ''"Pokémon TCG Online Settings"'' provide user access to setting not directly available in the downloadable [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]].
* ''"Pokémon TCG Online Settings"'' provide user access to setting not directly available in the downloadable [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]].
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:''NOTE: Be certain to select “Email Preferences: I would like to receive marketing email messages..." in order to receive the a monthly e-mail newsletter, which often contains Redeemable codes for in-game rewards for both [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] and [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]].
:''NOTE: Be certain to select “Email Preferences: I would like to receive marketing email messages..." in order to receive the a monthly e-mail newsletter, which often contains Redeemable codes for in-game rewards for both [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] and [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]].


====Child Accounts====
====Child accounts====
Adult parents may create and manager separate accounts for each of their children in the [[#Profile Overview|Profile Overview]] section, which is accessible through the adult's ''"Profile Overview'''. While [[The Pokémon Company International]] strives to be [http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/play-online/parents-guide/ child friendly], parents may further restrict access to certain website and in-game [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] features. For examples, some in-game features such as ''"Public Chat"'' and ''"Private Messaging"'' in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] are always inaccessible with a child account, while other in-game features may be further restricted by the adult parent such as ''"Friend Chat"'', ''"Game Chat"'', ''"Shopping"'', and ''"Trading"''.
Adult parents may create and manage separate accounts for each of their children in the [[#Profile overview|Profile overview]] section, which is accessible through the adult's ''"Profile overview'''. While [[The Pokémon Company International]] strives to be [http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/play-online/parents-guide/ child friendly], parents may further restrict access to certain website and in-game [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] features. For examples, some in-game features such as ''"Public Chat"'' and ''"Private Messaging"'' in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] are always inaccessible with a child account, while other in-game features may be further restricted by the adult parent such as ''"Friend Chat"'', ''"Game Chat"'', ''"Shopping"'', and ''"Trading"''.


===Explore Pokémon===
===Explore Pokémon===
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===Watch Pokémon TV===
===Watch Pokémon TV===
Before the last overhaul, the television section simply provided a synopsis of [[Pokémon anime]] episodes. After the overhaul, a continuously cycling selection of episodes, which may be viewed on-line, are interspersed with synopsis summaries and screenshots for every episode and movie.
Before the last overhaul, the television section simply provided a synopsis of [[Pokémon anime]] episodes. After the overhaul, a continuously cycling selection of episodes, which may be viewed online, are interspersed with synopsis summaries and screenshots for every episode and movie.


Rather than separating the episodes by seasons, the episodes are instead categorized under a special 'theme' such as a specific [[Pokémon]] and also by 'region' — the 'Kanto Channel', the 'Johto Channel', the 'Hoenn Channel', the 'Sinnoh Channel' and the 'Unova Channel'. There is also an option to 'Explore All Seasons' at the bottom of the page, if a traditional season by season search is preferred.
Rather than separating the episodes by seasons, the episodes are instead categorized under a special 'theme' such as a specific [[Pokémon]] and also by 'region' — the 'Kanto Channel', the 'Johto Channel', the 'Hoenn Channel', the 'Sinnoh Channel' and the 'Unova Channel'. There is also an option to 'Explore All Seasons' at the bottom of the page, if a traditional season by season search is preferred.
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Before the 2014 overhaul, most [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] news appeared on separate ''Go-Pokémon.com'' website. However, after the overhaul, everything except for the [[#Pokémon Trading Card Game Online Forum|forums]] for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] were folded into to Pokémon.com website proper. The Trading Card Game section includes:
Before the 2014 overhaul, most [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] news appeared on separate ''Go-Pokémon.com'' website. However, after the overhaul, everything except for the [[#Pokémon Trading Card Game Online Forum|forums]] for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] were folded into to Pokémon.com website proper. The Trading Card Game section includes:
*a card Database providing information on [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|expansions]] and cards from {{TCG|EX Ruby & Sapphire}} to the current set,
*a card Database providing information on [[List of Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions|expansions]] and cards from {{TCG|EX Ruby & Sapphire}} to the current set,
*strategies guides and news articles dating back to November 2013,
*[[#News and announcements|strategies guides, news and announcement articles]] dating back to November 2013,
*the downloadable ''Pokémon Trading Card Game Online'' for PC, Mac, and Ipad,
*the downloadable ''Pokémon Trading Card Game Online'' for PC, Mac, and Ipad,
*a step-by-step "How to Play" set of tutorials with the {{OBP|Professor|TCGO}}, and
*a step-by-step "How to Play" set of tutorials with the {{OBP|Professor|TCGO}}, and
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===Video Games===
===Video Games===
Before the overhaul, most of the [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] had their own mini-sites and sub-sites section with information and other materials about a given video games.  While the newest video game release often still have their own mini-sites, this section of the Pokémon.com website now highlights information about all video games in one location and acts as a central repository of game information, announcements, and news on all currently available video games, including links to the individual game mini-sites. This section's news articles and announcements date back to November 2013.
Before the overhaul, most of the [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] had their own mini-sites and sub-sites section with information and other materials about a given video games.  While the newest video game release often still have their own mini-sites, this section of the Pokémon.com website now highlights information about all video games in one location and acts as a central repository of game information, announcements, and news on all currently available video games, including links to the individual game mini-sites. This section's [[#News and announcements|news articles and announcements]] date back to November 2013.


===Attend Events===
===Attend Events===
This section acts as a central repository of information related to [[Play! Pokémon]] organized play Events, Rules and Resources for [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] and the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] in the organized play setting, and Parent Guides. This section also allow users to locate local Pokémon events and clubs, as well as news and announcements dating back to August 2014.
This section acts as a central repository of information related to [[Play! Pokémon]] organized play Events, Rules and Resources for [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]] and the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] in the organized play setting, and Parent Guides. This section also allow users to locate local Pokémon events and clubs, as well as [[#News and announcements|News and announcements]] dating back to August 2014.


==Stamps==
==Stamps==
Stamps represent an additional means of rewarding users for using the website and its various contents. The system was initially introduced in 28 August 2014 and substantial expanded on 30 March 2015. Stamps may be earned by reading [[#News and Announcements|news articles]], looking up [[Pokémon]] in the [[#Explore Pokémon|Pokédex]], watching [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon anime]] television episodes, playing [[#Play Games|browser-based minigames]], and for viewing [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]] cards, as well as by participating in official [[|Attend Events|Play! Pokémon events]]. As Stamps are awarded, 6 [[Trainer Token]]s are earned. Some Stamps are one-time events only.  Other Stamps increase in level (1 to 10). The more Stamps earned and the more Stamps with higher levels contribute to the assignment of a user's account level.
Stamps represent an additional means of rewarding users for using the website and its various contents. The system was initially introduced in 28 August 2014 and substantial expanded on 30 March 2015. Stamps may be earned by reading [[#News and announcements|news articles]], looking up [[Pokémon]] in the [[#Explore Pokémon|Pokédex]], watching [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon anime]] television episodes, playing [[#Play Games|browser-based minigames]], and for viewing [[#Trading Card Game|Pokémon Trading Card Game]] cards, as well as by participating in official [[|Attend Events|Play! Pokémon events]]. As Stamps are awarded, 6 [[Trainer Token]]s are earned. Some Stamps are one-time events only.  Other Stamps increase in level (1 to 10). The more Stamps earned and the more Stamps with higher levels contribute to the assignment of a user's account level.


* '''Online Game All-Star:'''
* '''Online Game All-Star:'''
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:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Play 1 minigame on Pokémon.com
*Level 1 — Play 1 [[#Play Games|minigame]] on Pokémon.com
*Level 2 — Play 3 minigames on Pokémon.com
*Level 2 — Play 3 minigames on Pokémon.com
*Level 3 — Play 6 minigames on Pokémon.com
*Level 3 — Play 6 minigames on Pokémon.com
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:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Watch 1 episode on Pokémon TV
*Level 1 — Watch 1 episode on [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon TV]]
*Level 2 — Watch 4 episodes on Pokémon TV
*Level 2 — Watch 4 episodes on Pokémon TV
*Level 3 — Watch 8 episodes on Pokémon TV
*Level 3 — Watch 8 episodes on Pokémon TV
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|}
|}


* '''Looking Good!''' — Modify the default Trainer avatar on your Pokémon Trainer Club profile
* '''Looking Good!''' — Modify the default [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] on your [[#Pokémon Trainer Club|Pokémon Trainer Club]] profile


* '''Pokémon Explorer:'''
* '''Pokémon Explorer:'''
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Look up 5 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
*Level 1 — Look up 5 Pokémon in the [[#Explore Pokémon|online Pokédex]]
*Level 2 — Look up 25 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
*Level 2 — Look up 25 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
*Level 3 — Look up 50 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
*Level 3 — Look up 50 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
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:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 3 days in a row
*Level 1 — Sign in to the [[Account Information|Pokémon Trainer Club]] 3 days in a row
*Level 2 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 6 days in a row
*Level 2 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 6 days in a row
*Level 3 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 9 days in a row
*Level 3 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 9 days in a row
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|}
|}


* '''Regionals Competitor: 2014''' — Play in a regional Pokémon Regional Championships
* '''Regionals Competitor: 2014''' — Play in a regional Pokémon {{DL|Play! Pokémon|Regional Championships}}
* '''Nationals Competitor: 2014''' — Play in a Pokémon National Championships
* '''Nationals Competitor: 2014''' — Play in a Pokémon {{DL|Play! Pokémon|National Championships}}
* '''Worlds Competitor: 2014''' — Play in the Pokémon World Championships
* '''Worlds Competitor: 2014''' — Play in the Pokémon {{DL|Play! Pokémon|World Championships}}


* '''Newshound:'''
* '''Newshound:'''
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Read at least 3 news articles on Pokémon.com
*Level 1 — Read at least 3 [[#News and announcements|news articles]] on Pokémon.com
*Level 2 — Read at least 6 news articles on Pokémon.com
*Level 2 — Read at least 6 news articles on Pokémon.com
*Level 3 — Read at least 9 news articles on Pokémon.com
*Level 3 — Read at least 9 news articles on Pokémon.com
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:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Look up 10 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
*Level 1 — Look up 10 cards in the Pokémon [[#Trading Card Game|TCG card database]]
*Level 2 — Look up 25 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
*Level 2 — Look up 25 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
*Level 3 — Look up 50 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
*Level 3 — Look up 50 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
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|}
|}


* '''Welcome to Kalos''' — Check out Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in the online Pokédex
* '''Welcome to Kalos''' — Check out Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in the [[#Explore Pokémon|online Pokédex]]


* '''Super Shopper:'''
* '''Super Shopper:'''
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Redeem 200 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
*Level 1 — Redeem 200 [[Trainer Token]]s in the [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer Store]]
*Level 2 — Redeem 500 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
*Level 2 — Redeem 500 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
*Level 3 — Redeem 750 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
*Level 3 — Redeem 750 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
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|}
|}


* '''Eevee Evolution Expert''' — Check out Eevee and all of its evolved forms in the Pokémon.com online Pokédex
* '''Eevee Evolution Expert''' — Check out Eevee and all of its evolved forms in the Pokémon.com [[#Explore Pokémon|online Pokédex]]
* '''Explorer’s First Steps''' — Check out a Pokémon TCG card in the card database, view a Pokémon in the online Pokédex, and watch a Pokémon TV episode
* '''Explorer’s First Steps''' — Check out a Pokémon TCG card in the card database, view a Pokémon in the online Pokédex, and watch a Pokémon TV episode
* '''Animation Maven: Kanto Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 3 episodes from Pokémon the Series: The Beginning
* '''Animation Maven: Kanto Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 3 episodes from [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon the Series: The Beginning]]
* '''Animation Maven: Johto Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver
* '''Animation Maven: Johto Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver]]
* '''Animation Maven: Hoenn Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
* '''Animation Maven: Hoenn Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]
* '''Animation Maven: Sinnoh Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
* '''Animation Maven: Sinnoh Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]
* '''Animation Maven: Unova Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from Pokémon the Series: Black & White
* '''Animation Maven: Unova Region:''' Level 1 — Watch 5 episodes from [[#Watch Pokémon TV|Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]
* '''Make a Splash!''' — View the Magikarp entry in the Pokémon.com online Pokédex once per day
* '''Make a Splash!''' — View the Magikarp entry in the Pokémon.com [[#Explore Pokémon|online Pokédex]] once per day
* '''Minigame Mastery: Pokémon Pulse:''' Level 1 — Play Pokémon Pulse at least 5 times
* '''Minigame Mastery: Pokémon Pulse:''' Level 1 — Play [[#Play Games|Pokémon Pulse]] at least 5 times
* '''Minigame Mastery: Chesnaught's Spiky Shield:''' Level 1 — Play Chesnaught's Spiky Shield at least 5 times
* '''Minigame Mastery: Chesnaught's Spiky Shield:''' Level 1 — Play [[#Play Games|Chesnaught's Spiky Shield]] at least 5 times
* '''Minigame Mastery: Floette Float:''' Level 1 — Play Floette Float at least 5 times
* '''Minigame Mastery: Floette Float:''' Level 1 — Play [[#Play Games|Floette Float]] at least 5 times
* '''Friendly Rivalry''' — Overtake one of your Pokémon Trainer Club friends on the leaderboard of any Pokémon.com online game
* '''Friendly Rivalry''' — Overtake one of your [[#Pokémon Trainer Club|Pokémon Trainer Club]] friends on the leaderboard of any Pokémon.com [[#Play Games|online game]]
 
* '''Pokémon Trainer Club Service Award:'''
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Be a member of the Pokémon Trainer Club for at least 1 year(s)
*Level 2 — Be a member of the Pokémon Trainer Club for at least 2 year(s)
*Level 3 —
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytr|5px}}; {{roundybr|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
|}


* '''Screen Sharing''' — Watch the same Pokémon TV episode on Pokémon.com as one of your Pokémon Trainer Club friends
* '''Pokémon Trainer Club Service Award:'''
* '''Pokémon Trainer Club Service Award:'''
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
:{| cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" class="roundy" style="border: 3px solid #{{dark color dark}}; background: #{{dark color}}; width:{{{width|100%}}};"
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
| width="50%" style="background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}; {{roundybl|5px}}; vertical-align:top;" |
*Level 1 — Be a member of the Pokémon Trainer Club for at least 1 year(s)
*Level 1 — Be a member of the [[#Pokémon Trainer Club|Pokémon Trainer Club]] for at least 1 year(s)
*Level 2 — Be a member of the Pokémon Trainer Club for at least 2 year(s)
*Level 2 — Be a member of the Pokémon Trainer Club for at least 2 year(s)
*Level 3 —
*Level 3 —
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|}
|}


* '''Screen Sharing''' — Watch the same Pokémon TV episode on Pokémon.com as one of your Pokémon Trainer Club friends.
* '''Screen Sharing''' — Watch the same Pokémon TV episode on Pokémon.com as one of your [[#Pokémon Trainer Club|Pokémon Trainer Club]] friends


==Pokémon Center==
==Pokémon Center==
[[File:Pokémon Center online.png|thumb|260px|The original Pokémon Center website on its last day of operation]]
[[File:Pokémon Center online.png|thumb|260px|The original Pokémon Center website on its last day of operation]]
[http://www.pokemoncenter.com/ The Pokémon Center] is a separate website from Pokémon.com reintroduced on 6 August 2014, after being closed on 31 January 2008. The Pokémon Center is an online store where user may buy different kinds of Pokémon merchandise over the Internet. Some select fans received invitations that let them access the reintroduced online store as early as 2 July 2014.
The [[#External links|Pokémon Center] is an online store where user may purchase many different kinds of Pokémon merchandise over the Internet. It was reintroduced on 6 August 2014 (although some select fans were invited to access it early starting on 2 July 2014). It separate website was initially closed on 1 February 2008 to prioritize the distribution and sale of Pokémon merchandise with local retailers. The Pokémon Center online store was launched initially around 4 February 2002.
 
The Pokémon Center


==Pokémon Global Link==
==Pokémon Global Link==
This separate [[Pokémon game|Pokémon video game]] related site is found at [http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/ http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/]. It offers a means for Pokémon video game players to interact and compete with each other.
{{main|Pokémon Global Link}}
The [[#External links|Pokémon Global Link]] is a separate [[Pokémon game|Pokémon video game]] related website. It offers a means for Pokémon video game players to interact and compete against each other.


==Pokémon Trading Card Game Online Forum==
==Pokémon Trading Card Game Online forum==
The official [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]] forum is found at [http://forums.pokemontcg.com/ http://forums.pokemontcg.com/]. It was overhauled with the Pokémon.com visual design and to increase usability in late 2014.
The official [[#External links|Pokémon Trading Card Game Online forum]] is a separate website dedicated to the downloadable [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online]]. It was overhauled to reflect the ''Pokémon.com'' visual design, to improve its usability, and to reintroduce the temporarily removed [[#Trainer avatar|Trainer avatar]] system in late 2014.


==Defunct sections==
==Defunct sections==
Line 314: Line 334:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.pokemon.com Pokémon.com]
* [http://www.pokemon.com http://www.pokemon.com] Pokémon.com
* [http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/ Online Pokédex]
* [http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/ http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/] Online Pokédex
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19981203072526/http://www.pokemon.com/ Archive of the first Pokémon.com site]
* [http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/ http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/] Collated News and Announcements
* [http://www.engine.ca/alicia/anime/pokemon-old/pokedex-old/Loader.swf The 2005 version of the Pokédex from the website]
* [http://www.pokemoncenter.com/ http://www.pokemoncenter.com/] The Pokémon Center (separate website)
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/pokemon Pokémon.com YouTube Channel]
* [http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/ http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/] Pokémon Global Link (separate website)
* [http://forums.pokemontcg.com/ http://forums.pokemontcg.com/] Pokémon Trading Card Game Online forum (separate website)
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/pokemon http://www.youtube.com/user/pokemon] The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19981202180143/http://pokemon.com/ http://web.archive.org/web/19981202180143/http://pokemon.com/] Archive of the original 1998 Pokémon.com website
* [http://web.archive.org/web/19991129051351/http://www.pokemon.com/ http://web.archive.org/web/19991129051351/http://www.pokemon.com/] Archive of the 1999 Pokémon.com website update
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20020124015326/http://www.pokemon.com/ http://web.archive.org/web/20020124015326/http://www.pokemon.com/] Archive of the 2001 Pokémon.com website update
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20020604143445/http://www2.pokemon.com/ http://web.archive.org/web/20020604143445/http://www2.pokemon.com/] Archive of the 2002 Pokémon.com website update
* [http://www.engine.ca/alicia/anime/pokemon-old/pokedex-old/Loader.swf http://www.engine.ca/alicia/anime/pokemon-old/pokedex-old/Loader.swf] Archive of the 2005 version of the [[#Explore Pokémon|online Pokédex]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 17:44, 2 April 2015

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: History section

Logo used for the website until the 2010 overhaul
Logo used for the website in 2000

Pokémon.com, known as Pokémon World prior to 2002, is the official international Pokémon website, which was first created on 8 January 1998[1]. The website has gone by many different names and used many different Internet addresses throughout its history, such as Pokémon-games.com and Go-Pokemon.com, though The Pokémon Company International has finally settled on the simple Pokémon.com nominer. Four full version of the official Pokémon.com website are maintained, each focusing on a specific language, country, or region. Several other partials websites are also maintained. The current version of the website, introduced on 27 January 2014, saw a complete reorganization of website content and visual design, as well as seeing the prominent return of the "Gotta catch 'em all!" slogan.

History

NOTE: See External links at the bottom of this page in order to view archived versions of the Pokémon.com website.

With the official launch of the Pokémon.com website on January 8, 1998, it was little more than a repository for News and announcements about the then current Pokémon video games, Pokémon Trading Card Game, and organized Play! Pokémon events. While using the "Pokémon.com" web-browser address, the website was referred as Pokémon World or the Pokémon Times.

Between 4 May 1999 and 29 November 1999, the Pokémon.com website underwent its first redesign. This update introduced new content such as the first version of Pokémon browser-based online games and an online Pokédex in which users could look up information on then current Pokémon video game versions of specific Pokémon as well as information about Pokémon anime television episodes and movies.

Between 9 September 2001 and 24 January 2002, the website underwent a minor overhauled of its design. The only significant changes were the introduction of the Pokémon Center as a separate online store for purchasing Pokémon merchandise and the relabeling of the Pokémon.com website itself from Pokémon World to just Pokémon.com.

In mid-2002 (sometime between 4 June and 22 July), the website underwent a complete overhauled of its design but largely left the content in place.

Between 19 June 2003 and 19 July 2003, the website underwent a complete overhauled of its design and content. Content was separate into separate websites. Pokémon.com retained News and announcements. The separate sites were Pokémon-games.com (March 2003 at least to January 2009) for the Pokémon video games, Go-Pokemon.com, and Pokemon-tcg.com (from May 2003 to 27 January 2014) for the Pokémon Trading Card Game)

On 11 January 2010, the website underwent a complete overhauled of its content and design. This update introduced Trainer Tokens and an early version of the Trainer avatar system, the ability to watch select Pokémon anime television episodes as well as the ability to look up information about them, and the initial set of three, current Pokémon browser-based online games. Prior to the 2010 update, only six online games were available (four being accessible directly and two hidden). These initial three online games were adaptations of games originally distributed on the Japanese Pokémon Daisuki Club website. The six previous online games were briefly made available on an archive site, which has since been removed.

The current version of the Pokémon.com website was implemented on 27 January 2014 and again represented a complete overhaul of content and design. The basic layout was "simplified" along with the full incorporation of what had also been the separate Pokémon Trading Card Game website, including the incorporation of the current user customizable Trainer avatar system that allows users to define their owner visual look and style.

Website versions

Four full versions of the Pokémon.com website are currently maintained, each with identical design style, content and content organization, and almost identical News and announcements information:


Partial translations of the website exist for several additional countries and languages. These partial versions include full implementations of the Explore Pokémon section's Pokédex and the Watch Pokémon TV episodes of the Pokémon anime television series. These partial implementations also incompletely incorporate the Play Games section's Pokémon browser-based online games. The Trading Card Game, Video Games, and Attend Events sections are unimplemented with the exception of a special section dedicated to the downloadable Pokémon Trading Card Game Online and a link to the separate Pokémon Global Link website:


There are also three office Pokémon websites that do not necessarily reflect the Pokémon.com design and content:

  • Japanese website (also referred to as the Pokémon Daisuki Club)

Website sections

Landing page

The initial Landing page is the initial page users see when they enter "Pokémon.com" into their web-browser. It is regularly updated to highlight various website content and news. Users may always return to the Landing page by clicking on the "Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!" graphic on the left side of the website's primary Navigation menu located at the top of each Pokémon.com page.

News and announcements

The Landing page also incorporates the only direct website link to all collated website news, announcements, and articles in one location. Otherwise, news articles are spread across the website by topic appearing separately in the Trading Card Game, Video Games, and Attend Events sections.

Opening news articles that are categorized as "pokemon-news" on typically but not always earn the user a single Trainer Token. Articles without the "pokemon-news" categorization to not earn Trainer Tokens. However, opening the same article on different full versions of the website do, typically, earn the user a Trainer Token for each of the full versions of the website.

Pokémon Trainer Club

The Pokémon Trainer Club contains website user account information. This section is not easily identifiable under the name "Pokémon Trainer Club". However, it is easy to locate. It is the navigation bar on the upper, left side of most Pokémon.com webpages. It provides a means for Pokémon.com users to "Sign In" if they already have an existing account, "Join" to create an account, and also contains a website "Search" interface. By creating an account, users are able to earn Trainer Tokens and Stamps, keep track of online browser-based game scores, friend other users, and centrally manage other Pokémon accounts.

Before the January 2014 update, The Pokémon Trainer Club represented the Japan's Pokémon Daisuki Club brought over to a more general audience. It included an early version of the customizable user Trainer avatar personalities. Users were required to have a Pokémon Trainer Club account in order to register high scores in the online browser-based games or to earn Trainer Tokens. Anyone who had a Pokémon Trainer Club account could also keep track of their Organized Play statistics. These features still represent the core functionality of the current Pokémon Trainer Club, even though the design and some of the underlying infrastructure been substantially overhauled.

Once logged into with a user account, a "picture" appears at the top of the upper, left side navigation bar. This picture represents the user's current Trainer avatar. When the picture is selected, the side navigation bar becomes a "slide-out window' allowing the user access the following information:

In the compressed state, once a user is logged in, the upper, left side navigation bar side also provides access to the following information:

  • The user's current Trainer Token total, which takes the user directly to the "Customize Trainer" shop when selected,
  • A "Messages" and user "Profile overview" section when selected, where users may adjust settings, add and manager accounts for their children, and centrally manager other Pokémon accounts,
  • A "Friends" section for "friending" and following other users (added on 9 July 2014), and
  • A "My Play! Pokémon" section for viewing user information about organized Play! Pokémon activity.

Trainer avatar

The Pokémon.com "Customized Trainer" and "Shop for Items/Trainer Store" features are fully compatible with the in-game Shop and Avatar Creator. Trainer Tokens earned in either location may be used to purchase clothing items on the Pokémon.com website or in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Trainer/Avatar clothing items available for purchase in one are not always available for purchase in the other. Items added in one are not always immediately visible in the other. However, changes made to the user's "Customized Trainer" or "Customized Avatar" in one location will be seen in the other location the next time the user logs back in.

Profile overview

The Profile overview section provides access to user setting not necessarily specific to the Pokémon.com website itself. It is a central repository for all Pokémon user accounts.

NOTE: Be certain to select “Email Preferences: I would like to receive marketing email messages..." in order to receive the a monthly e-mail newsletter, which often contains Redeemable codes for in-game rewards for both Pokémon video games and Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.

Child accounts

Adult parents may create and manage separate accounts for each of their children in the Profile overview section, which is accessible through the adult's "Profile overview'. While The Pokémon Company International strives to be child friendly, parents may further restrict access to certain website and in-game Pokémon Trading Card Game Online features. For examples, some in-game features such as "Public Chat" and "Private Messaging" in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online are always inaccessible with a child account, while other in-game features may be further restricted by the adult parent such as "Friend Chat", "Game Chat", "Shopping", and "Trading".

Explore Pokémon

This section features the Online Pokédex with the Pokémon updated for each new Pokémon video game release, currently Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Like other Pokédexes, it allows the user to search for Pokémon by either Name or Number in "Basic Search Mode". "Advanced Search Mode" allows searched by Type, Weakness, Ability, Height, and Weight. The 27 January 2014 update redesigned the Pokédex with a grid-like structure. Without any search criteria, the user may scroll through the grid-like list of Pokémon by either Name or Number (currently 1 to 719). Selecting a given Pokémon brings up details on that given Pokémon, with two versions tied to the current video game release, currently an Omega Ruby version and an Alpha Sapphire version. Details include a picture, brief description, height, weight, gender, category, abilities, type, weaknesses, basic stats bar chart showing relative strength (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed), and Evolution chart (if any).

The Pokédex entry for a given Pokémon also includes suggested Pokémon anime television episodes and Pokémon Trading Card Game cards featuring that given Pokémon, allowing user to explore that Pokémon in other media.

Finally, there is also an options toward the bottom of Pokédex entry to share the selected Pokémon via several social media.

Watch Pokémon TV

Before the last overhaul, the television section simply provided a synopsis of Pokémon anime episodes. After the overhaul, a continuously cycling selection of episodes, which may be viewed online, are interspersed with synopsis summaries and screenshots for every episode and movie.

Rather than separating the episodes by seasons, the episodes are instead categorized under a special 'theme' such as a specific Pokémon and also by 'region' — the 'Kanto Channel', the 'Johto Channel', the 'Hoenn Channel', the 'Sinnoh Channel' and the 'Unova Channel'. There is also an option to 'Explore All Seasons' at the bottom of the page, if a traditional season by season search is preferred.

A Pokémon TV mobile application has also been introduced, which can be downloaded for free from Apple's App Store or through Google Play.

Play Games

The Pokémon Fun Zone Logo
Main article: Pokémon.com online games

Formerly knows as the Pokémon Fun Zone before the last overhaul, this Play Games section presents a large number of browser-based video games for the user's enjoyment. Most are strategy based, although the exact design varies widely, and feature a specific theme or Pokémon. Details about each game is provided on Pokémon.com online games. These games are not only designed to require short installments of time, but they reward the user for successful achievements with Trainer Tokens. Successfully playing browser-based games earn 1, 3, or 5 Trainer Tokens depending on the specific game and whether the user has successfully played the game for the first time or successfully reached a higher success threshold on subsequent attempts. Each individual game defines what is a successful attempt differently.

Before the 2010 update, games were mostly based on Generation III and Pokémon Platinum. After the 2010 update the games featured a larger number of Generation IV Pokémon, all translated from the Japanese Pokémon Daisuki Club. Games released after the 2014 update added the ability to earn Trainer Tokens and increased in variety, many of which were also brought over from the Pokémon Daisuki Club. Games available on the site prior to the 2014 update are not longer available.

Trading Card Game

Before the 2014 overhaul, most Pokémon Trading Card Game news appeared on separate Go-Pokémon.com website. However, after the overhaul, everything except for the forums for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online were folded into to Pokémon.com website proper. The Trading Card Game section includes:

Most news articles and images from Go-Pokémon website were not transferred over, and thus have been lost.

Video Games

Before the overhaul, most of the Pokémon video games had their own mini-sites and sub-sites section with information and other materials about a given video games. While the newest video game release often still have their own mini-sites, this section of the Pokémon.com website now highlights information about all video games in one location and acts as a central repository of game information, announcements, and news on all currently available video games, including links to the individual game mini-sites. This section's news articles and announcements date back to November 2013.

Attend Events

This section acts as a central repository of information related to Play! Pokémon organized play Events, Rules and Resources for Pokémon video games and the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the organized play setting, and Parent Guides. This section also allow users to locate local Pokémon events and clubs, as well as News and announcements dating back to August 2014.

Stamps

Stamps represent an additional means of rewarding users for using the website and its various contents. The system was initially introduced in 28 August 2014 and substantial expanded on 30 March 2015. Stamps may be earned by reading news articles, looking up Pokémon in the Pokédex, watching Pokémon anime television episodes, playing browser-based minigames, and for viewing Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, as well as by participating in official [[|Attend Events|Play! Pokémon events]]. As Stamps are awarded, 6 Trainer Tokens are earned. Some Stamps are one-time events only. Other Stamps increase in level (1 to 10). The more Stamps earned and the more Stamps with higher levels contribute to the assignment of a user's account level.

  • Online Game All-Star:
  • Level 1 — Play 1 minigame on Pokémon.com
  • Level 2 — Play 3 minigames on Pokémon.com
  • Level 3 — Play 6 minigames on Pokémon.com
  • Level 4 — Play 10 minigames on Pokémon.com
  • Level 5 — Play 15 minigames on Pokémon.com
  • Level 6 — Play 21 minigames on Pokémon.com
  • Level 7 — Play 28 minigames on Pokémon.com
  • Level 8 — Play 37 minigames on Pokémon.com
  • Level 9 —
  • Level 10 —
  • Episode Expert:
  • Level 1 — Watch 1 episode on Pokémon TV
  • Level 2 — Watch 4 episodes on Pokémon TV
  • Level 3 — Watch 8 episodes on Pokémon TV
  • Level 4 — Watch 16 episodes on Pokémon TV
  • Level 5 — Watch 32 episodes on Pokémon TV
  • Level 6 —
  • Level 7 —
  • Level 8 —
  • Level 9 —
  • Level 10 —
  • Pokémon Explorer:
  • Level 1 — Look up 5 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
  • Level 2 — Look up 25 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
  • Level 3 — Look up 50 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
  • Level 4 — Look up 151 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
  • Level 5 — Look up 251 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
  • Level 6 — Look up 386 Pokémon in the online Pokédex
  • Level 7 —
  • Level 8 —
  • Level 9 —
  • Level 10 —
  • Daily Visitor:
  • Level 1 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 3 days in a row
  • Level 2 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 6 days in a row
  • Level 3 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 9 days in a row
  • Level 4 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 18 days in a row
  • Level 5 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 36 days in a row
  • Level 6 — Sign in to the Pokémon Trainer Club 72 days in a row
  • Level 7 —
  • Level 8 —
  • Level 9 —
  • Level 10 —
  • Newshound:
  • Level 1 — Read at least 3 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 2 — Read at least 6 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 3 — Read at least 9 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 4 — Read at least 15 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 5 — Read at least 25 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 6 — Read at least 50 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 7 — Read at least 75 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 8 — Read at least 100 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 9 — Read at least 125 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Level 10 — Read at least 150 news articles on Pokémon.com
  • Trading Cards:
  • Level 1 — Look up 10 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 2 — Look up 25 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 3 — Look up 50 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 4 — Look up 100 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 5 — Look up 200 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 6 — Look up 300 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 7 — Look up 400 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 8 — Look up 500 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 9 — Look up 600 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Level 10 — Look up 700 cards in the Pokémon TCG card database
  • Welcome to Kalos — Check out Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie in the online Pokédex
  • Super Shopper:
  • Level 1 — Redeem 200 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 2 — Redeem 500 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 3 — Redeem 750 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 4 —
  • Level 5 — Redeem 1,500 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 6 — Redeem 3,000 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 7 — Redeem 4,500 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 8 — Redeem 6,000 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 9 — Redeem 8,500 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Level 10 — Redeem 10,000 Trainer Tokens in the Trainer Store
  • Pokémon Trainer Club Service Award:
  • Level 1 — Be a member of the Pokémon Trainer Club for at least 1 year(s)
  • Level 2 — Be a member of the Pokémon Trainer Club for at least 2 year(s)
  • Level 3 —
  • Screen Sharing — Watch the same Pokémon TV episode on Pokémon.com as one of your Pokémon Trainer Club friends

Pokémon Center

The original Pokémon Center website on its last day of operation

The [[#External links|Pokémon Center] is an online store where user may purchase many different kinds of Pokémon merchandise over the Internet. It was reintroduced on 6 August 2014 (although some select fans were invited to access it early starting on 2 July 2014). It separate website was initially closed on 1 February 2008 to prioritize the distribution and sale of Pokémon merchandise with local retailers. The Pokémon Center online store was launched initially around 4 February 2002.

The Pokémon Center

Pokémon Global Link

Main article: Pokémon Global Link

The Pokémon Global Link is a separate Pokémon video game related website. It offers a means for Pokémon video game players to interact and compete against each other.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Online forum

The official Pokémon Trading Card Game Online forum is a separate website dedicated to the downloadable Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. It was overhauled to reflect the Pokémon.com visual design, to improve its usability, and to reintroduce the temporarily removed Trainer avatar system in late 2014.

Defunct sections

Mailbag

The Pokémon.com mailbag was an official source of information from the company directors. Fans could write in and ask questions about the games, anime, and other aspects of the franchise. It had been updated quite regularly, often providing information that was not available in other sources (such as the English name of one character from the eleventh movie), but the last update came in October/November 2009. When the site was revamped in January 2010, the mailbag section was removed.

Media player

The site once contained a media player that played music from the Pokémon X collection. Like the mailbag, it was removed in the revamp.

Errors

Throughout Pokémon.com's lifespan, it has been notorious for errors. Some of these are as minor as referring to Team Galactic as Team Rocket, others as important as stating that Phione was a legendary Pokémon (although this is a subject of debate). Other errors are stated below.

Trivia

  • Several (but not all) Pokémon namespaces (such as "bulbasaur.com") redirect to either Pokémon.com or Nintendo.com, and others, such as Manaphy.com and Darkrai.com, redirected to their respective minisites. After the update in January 2010, many links became broken as the respective pages no longer exist at the same location. Such namespaces have since been changed to redirect to the website's Pokédex page on that Pokémon.
  • Despite the overhaul the site received in early January 2010, the old version was made available for a limited period of time at http://origin.pokemon.com/. This also affected links that got broken with the revamp, making them available again, only at a different address.
    • However, since the old version is no longer available, all old links are once again broken.
    • A minisite about Darkrai which originally appeared in 2008 was located at http://origin2.pokemon.com, but has since been taken down.
  • The only time the site refers to itself as "Pokémon.com" (with the acute accent), excluding logos, is if the user clicks on an external link on the HeartGold and SoulSilver website.

External links

References