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'''PokéBeach''' is a Pokémon fan site run by Jon Sahagian, better known as "Water Pokémon Master". The site focuses on several aspects of the fandom, though its primary focus is the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. The site was formerly well-known for its card scans.
'''PokéBeach''' is a Pokémon fan site run by Jon Sahagian, better known as "Water Pokémon Master". The site primarily focuses on the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], posting news, strategy articles, and hosting discussions about competitive play. The website also covers the larger aspects of the Pokémon franchise. It is one of the oldest consistently-running Pokémon fan sites.


==History==
==History==
The site was launched on July 15, 2003, when Sahagian was 14 years old, although he drafted earlier iterations of the site going back to 1999.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20040803015658/http://www.pokebeach.com:80/about.shtml</ref> Since then, it has become one of the most popular Pokémon fan sites on the Internet. Sahagian continues to write news articles on a daily basis and manages the website's staff.


After teaching himself web design and working at other Pokémon websites for several years, Water Pokémon Master opened PokéBeach to the public on July 15, 2003 when he was only 14 years old (although he had been working on the site privately since 1999). In his grand opening post, he promised that he would "never abandon PokéBeach." Since then, the site has become one of the most popular and influential Pokémon fan sites on the internet. Sahagian himself has been labeled as one of the Pokémon community's "Big Name Fans" on websites like TV Tropes due to his contributions to the franchise for over 15 years. As of 2015, the site claims to receive over 100,000 visitors a day, and WPM himself oversees a staff of over 50 staff members from all of the website's different departments. Day to day, WPM personally researches and writes all of the news stories for the front page, of which there are thousands spanning over a decade. Although WPM personally writes all of the news stories himself, he is always "on call" to post breaking or developing news whether it's day, night, or he's on the road, so news coverage always happens at any hour of the day.
In July 2008, Sahagian held an interview with [[Masamitsu Hidaka]], a director and storyboard artist for the {{pkmn|anime}}. In it, he revealed previously unknown information about the series, including discussion about the intended purpose of the [[GS Ball]] and the reasons behind Brock's replacement in [[S02|the second anime season]].<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2008/07/interview-with-masamitsu-hidaka-at-anime-expo</ref><ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2008/07/second-pokemon-interview-with-masamitsu-hidaka-many-interesting-points</ref> The following year, Sahagian was able to see an early screening of [[M12|the twelfth movie]] in Japan, the only known foreigner to ever do so.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2009/07/arceus-movie-summary-heartgold-soulsilver-commercial-13th-pokemon-movie</ref>


Although PokéBeach focuses on all aspects of Pokémon, of which WPM is a fan, it's more often known for its coverage of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The site features the latest Pokémon TCG news and insights, scans of Pokémon cards, card translations for new sets, and guides for how to play the game. Because of how quickly and consistently Sahagian has updated the website since 2003, the website is often considered the keystone of the TCG community, visited daily by TCG fans, collectors, tournament organizers, players, distributors, stores, and even officials working at the company. Before it shut down in 2013, the official Japanese Pokémon TCG Facebook page even listed PokéBeach as one of their only "likes," one of the few times, if ever, that the official company has acknowledged or linked to a fan website.
Upon the release of {{game|Black and White|s}} in September 2010, PokéBeach was among a few Pokémon fan sites to receive a cease and desist order from Nintendo for posting early images of Pokémon Black and White. The site then temporarily changed all pictures from the games to pictures of {{p|Ditto}} and changed their name to PokerBeach as a joke to protest Nintendo's actions.<ref>https://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Fansites_served_with_copyright_infringement_notices</ref>


In 2008, Water Pokémon Master sought out [[Masamitsu Hidaka]], the original director and storyboard artist for the Pokémon anime, and held a historical interview with him. In the interview, Hidaka revealed much previously unknown information about the {{pkmn|anime}}, including the writer's decisions behind certain plot points, the nature of the series, and what goes on behind the scenes. For example, the interview revealed why Brock was replaced in the Orange Islands, the nature of the GS Ball, if Misty would ever return to the series, Ho-Oh's relation to Ash, the show's cyclical nature, and much more. Hidaka also personally invited WPM back for a second interview where he revealed even more information about the anime. Both interviews are the closest any fan has gotten to someone who works on the raw anime and their revelations are still discussed by fans to this day.
On November 12, 2012, the site's forums revamped its rules and changed its content policy to PG-13 to better cater to older fans. Prior to this, moderation policies went through a strict review and were revamped.


In 2009, while attending film school in Japan, Water Pokémon Master was able to go to the early screening of ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]'' in Tokyo even though he was not picked for the special rally from [[CoroCoro]] magazine. He is the only known foreigner to have seen an early screening of a Pokemon movie in Japan.
On May 11, 2013, PokéBeach disclosed information from a supposed "insider" about {{g|X and Y}}. A lot of this information was later revealed to be true, such as the new {{t|Fairy}} type, {{p|Pancham}}'s evolution, and more.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2013/05/supposed-pokemon-x-and-y-insider-information</ref><ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2013/05/last-of-the-pokemon-x-y-insider-information</ref>


Upon the release of {{game|Black and White|s}} in September 2010, PokéBeach was among a few websites to receive a cease and desist order from Nintendo for posting early images of Pokémon Black and White. The site then temporarily changed all pictures from the games to pictures of {{p|Ditto}} and changed their name to PokerBeach as a joke to protest Nintendo's actions. It has since gone back to using the images and using the name PokéBeach.
The website went through a massive redesign in May 2015, introducing a new layout with forum integration, as well as a premium subscription service where players could subscribe to read TCG strategy articles from competitive players.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2015/05/welcome-to-the-new-pokebeach</ref> The site also began a partnership with "TCGplayer," an online TCG store. The partnership allowed PokéBeach to host large online tournaments with free prizes, shipping several booster boxes a month to players around the world.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2018/04/pokebeachs-may-2018-ptcgo-tournament-sponsored-by-tcgplayer-com</ref>


On November 12th, 2012, the site's forums revamped its rules and changed its content policy to PG-13 to better cater to older fans. Prior to this, moderation policies went through a strict review and were revamped.  
Following the site relaunch, in June 2015, [[The Pokémon Company International]] sued PokéBeach over its short-lived partnership with "TCGOne", an unofficial Pokémon TCG simulator that TPCi claimed was "an unauthorized version of [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|PTCGO]]". PokéBeach quickly removed all references to the simulator from its website as well as all of its Pokémon card scans. TPCi then granted PokéBeach a special license to display its card images on the website; the website now states at the bottom: "English card images appearing on this website are the property of The Pokémon Company International, Inc." <ref>https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/8377892/Pokemon_Company_Intenational,_Inc_v_Sahagian</ref>


On May 11th, 2013, PokéBeach disclosed information from a supposed "insider" about {{g|X and Y}}, although they were unsure if the information was real. Over the coming year, most of the information slowly revealed itself to be true, such as the new {{t|Fairy}} type, {{p|Mewtwo}} having two "formes," {{p|Pancham}}'s evolution, the unusual method for evolving {{p|Inkay}}, and more.
In April 2017, PokéBeach launched a Discord server to replace their old Skype chat.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/forums/threads/pokebeach-is-now-on-discord.139392/</ref>


The website went through a redesign in May 2015, introducing several new features and a complete overhaul of the forums. A premium subscription was announced, where TCG strategy articles and decklist advice are available for a monthly fee. The card scans feature was greatly expanded, including the ability to purchase cards through an affiliate link. Additionally, the site's affiliation with TCG One was announced.
Upon the release of {{DetPikMov}} in May 2019, Sahagian revealed he was invited to a private screening of the film a year prior where he was able to provide feedback to the filmmakers. He revealed a few changes that were made to the film along the way.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2019/05/detective-pikachu-exceeds-all-expectations-a-full-review-very-minor-spoilers</ref>


In April 2017, PokéBeach launched a Discord server to replace their old Skype chat.
On June 28, 2021, PokéBeach was hacked by a professional team in order to hold the site hostage to make money, resulting in the deletion of all files on the website. Three days later, the website was back up in a limited form so Sahagian could continue to post news stories, and he is currently working to bring back the forums.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/2021/07/pokebeach-hacked-next-steps-for-the-site</ref>


===Lawsuit===
==Staff==
Many of PokéBeach's staff members have been working on the website since as early as 2003.<ref>https://www.pokebeach.com/staff</ref>


In June 2015, Sahagian was sued by [[The Pokémon Company International]] for violation of the {{wp|Digital Millennium Copyright Act}} by "willfully and deliberately infringing TPCi’s intellectual property in connection with the PokéBeach Site and the TCG One game", which PokéBeach was hosting at the time, causing "irreparable harm" to the company. The lawsuit alleged that PokéBeach was violating copyright and provided false copyright management information in relation to card scans using watermarks and the existence of TCG One, the latter of which was referred to in the case as "an unauthorized version of [[Pokémon Trading Card Game Online|PTCGO]]". Other parts of the lawsuit also referenced [[Pokémon Showdown]] as an "Infringing Game".
* Water Pokémon Master - Editor-in-Chief, Webmaster
 
On September 8, 2015, the {{wp|United States District Court for the Western District of Washington}} ruled in favor of TPCi against Sahagian, ordering the site to end affiliation with TCG One, provide TPCi with all contact information Sahagian had for "all persons and/or entities involved with the creation, development, marketing, advertising, hosting, or distribution of TCG One", remove all card scans from the website, and destroy all copies of card scans and TCG One-related files, among other injunctions.
 
==Staff==
* Water Pokémon Master - Administrator/Social Media
* peer - Programmer
* peer - Programmer
* Shining Raikou - Social Media
* Shining Raikou - Social Media
Line 60: Line 57:


====Super Moderators====
====Super Moderators====
* Asclepius24 – Pokemon TCG Head
* Asclepius24 – Pokémon TCG Head
* Athena – Beach Life Head
* Athena – Beach Life Head
* Brave Vesperia – Marketplace Head
* Brave Vesperia – Marketplace Head
* Equinox – Pokemon VG Head
* Equinox – Pokémon VG Head
* Ice Arceus – Creative Works Head
* Ice Arceus – Creative Works Head


Line 152: Line 149:
* Machamp the Champion
* Machamp the Champion
* PG24
* PG24
==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://pokebeach.com/ PokéBeach]
* [http://pokebeach.com/ PokéBeach]


{{stub|Site}}<br>
{{Project Fandom notice}}
{{Project Fandom notice}}


Latest revision as of 14:30, 13 December 2023

PokéBeach
"Your Ultimate Pokémon Fansite!"
PokeBeach.png
Language English
Status Active
Run 2003 - Present
Date opened July 15, 2003
Creator Jon Sahagian, a.k.a. Water Pokémon Master
Current owner {{{owner}}}
Forum PokéBeach.com Forums
Mascot Staryu
Website Main Page

PokéBeach is a Pokémon fan site run by Jon Sahagian, better known as "Water Pokémon Master". The site primarily focuses on the Pokémon Trading Card Game, posting news, strategy articles, and hosting discussions about competitive play. The website also covers the larger aspects of the Pokémon franchise. It is one of the oldest consistently-running Pokémon fan sites.

History

The site was launched on July 15, 2003, when Sahagian was 14 years old, although he drafted earlier iterations of the site going back to 1999.[1] Since then, it has become one of the most popular Pokémon fan sites on the Internet. Sahagian continues to write news articles on a daily basis and manages the website's staff.

In July 2008, Sahagian held an interview with Masamitsu Hidaka, a director and storyboard artist for the anime. In it, he revealed previously unknown information about the series, including discussion about the intended purpose of the GS Ball and the reasons behind Brock's replacement in the second anime season.[2][3] The following year, Sahagian was able to see an early screening of the twelfth movie in Japan, the only known foreigner to ever do so.[4]

Upon the release of Pokémon Black and White in September 2010, PokéBeach was among a few Pokémon fan sites to receive a cease and desist order from Nintendo for posting early images of Pokémon Black and White. The site then temporarily changed all pictures from the games to pictures of Ditto and changed their name to PokerBeach as a joke to protest Nintendo's actions.[5]

On November 12, 2012, the site's forums revamped its rules and changed its content policy to PG-13 to better cater to older fans. Prior to this, moderation policies went through a strict review and were revamped.

On May 11, 2013, PokéBeach disclosed information from a supposed "insider" about Pokémon X and Y. A lot of this information was later revealed to be true, such as the new Fairy type, Pancham's evolution, and more.[6][7]

The website went through a massive redesign in May 2015, introducing a new layout with forum integration, as well as a premium subscription service where players could subscribe to read TCG strategy articles from competitive players.[8] The site also began a partnership with "TCGplayer," an online TCG store. The partnership allowed PokéBeach to host large online tournaments with free prizes, shipping several booster boxes a month to players around the world.[9]

Following the site relaunch, in June 2015, The Pokémon Company International sued PokéBeach over its short-lived partnership with "TCGOne", an unofficial Pokémon TCG simulator that TPCi claimed was "an unauthorized version of PTCGO". PokéBeach quickly removed all references to the simulator from its website as well as all of its Pokémon card scans. TPCi then granted PokéBeach a special license to display its card images on the website; the website now states at the bottom: "English card images appearing on this website are the property of The Pokémon Company International, Inc." [10]

In April 2017, PokéBeach launched a Discord server to replace their old Skype chat.[11]

Upon the release of POKÉMON Detective Pikachu in May 2019, Sahagian revealed he was invited to a private screening of the film a year prior where he was able to provide feedback to the filmmakers. He revealed a few changes that were made to the film along the way.[12]

On June 28, 2021, PokéBeach was hacked by a professional team in order to hold the site hostage to make money, resulting in the deletion of all files on the website. Three days later, the website was back up in a limited form so Sahagian could continue to post news stories, and he is currently working to bring back the forums.[13]

Staff

Many of PokéBeach's staff members have been working on the website since as early as 2003.[14]

  • Water Pokémon Master - Editor-in-Chief, Webmaster
  • peer - Programmer
  • Shining Raikou - Social Media

Forums

  • Administrator - Shining Raikou

Super Moderators

  • Asclepius24 – Pokémon TCG Head
  • Athena – Beach Life Head
  • Brave Vesperia – Marketplace Head
  • Equinox – Pokémon VG Head
  • Ice Arceus – Creative Works Head

Moderators

  • bbninjas
  • Bolt the Cat
  • bonus41
  • Camoclone
  • Celever
  • homeofmew
  • Jabberwock
  • Kecleon-X
  • Luispipe8
  • Machamp the Champion
  • Materious17
  • Mora
  • MtheW
  • Robin Aisaga
  • SaiScott95
  • scattered mind
  • SilverSilent
  • Siren
  • steffenka
  • Tails
  • Yakkov

News

  • Water Pokémon Master - News Head
  • Athena
  • bbocwerdna
  • Celever
  • Machamp the Champion
  • My Little Keldeo
  • Rusty Sticks
  • steffenka

Articles

  • Water Pokémon Master - Articles Head
  • Brandon Nguyen
  • Camoclone
  • DogStar
  • Grimsashi
  • Machamp the Champion
  • Phototoxin
  • SaliosGnome

Activities

  • Shining Raikou - General Activity Head

General Activity Organizers

  • Athena
  • bbninjas
  • Celever
  • Ice Arceus
  • Luispipe8
  • Machamp the Champion
  • Materious17
  • SilverSilent

Video Game Organizers

  • Bolt the Cat
  • Brave Vesperia
  • Camoclone
  • Celever
  • Equinox
  • homeofmew
  • Mora
  • Yakkov

Video Game Tutors

  • Equinox - Video Game Tutor Head
  • iSharingan
  • Keeper of Night
  • PG24
  • Yakkov

Chat Room

  • Shining Raikou - Chat Room Head

Moderators

  • Brave Vesperia
  • Celever
  • Equinox
  • Machamp The Champion
  • One Approved
  • peer
  • PikaMasterJesi
  • SilverSilent

Badges

  • Shining Raikou - Badges Head
  • Brave Vesperia
  • homeofmew
  • Machamp the Champion
  • PG24

References

  1. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20040803015658/http://www.pokebeach.com:80/about.shtml
  2. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2008/07/interview-with-masamitsu-hidaka-at-anime-expo
  3. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2008/07/second-pokemon-interview-with-masamitsu-hidaka-many-interesting-points
  4. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2009/07/arceus-movie-summary-heartgold-soulsilver-commercial-13th-pokemon-movie
  5. ↑ https://bulbanews.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Fansites_served_with_copyright_infringement_notices
  6. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2013/05/supposed-pokemon-x-and-y-insider-information
  7. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2013/05/last-of-the-pokemon-x-y-insider-information
  8. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2015/05/welcome-to-the-new-pokebeach
  9. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2018/04/pokebeachs-may-2018-ptcgo-tournament-sponsored-by-tcgplayer-com
  10. ↑ https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/8377892/Pokemon_Company_Intenational,_Inc_v_Sahagian
  11. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/forums/threads/pokebeach-is-now-on-discord.139392/
  12. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2019/05/detective-pikachu-exceeds-all-expectations-a-full-review-very-minor-spoilers
  13. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/2021/07/pokebeach-hacked-next-steps-for-the-site
  14. ↑ https://www.pokebeach.com/staff

External links

Project Fandom logo.png This article is a part of Project Fandom, a Bulbapedia Project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every aspect of the Pokémon Fandom.
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