1. Delivering Even More Intense Spectator Experiences

Spectator culture has developed into a global staple, thriving in traditional sports games like shogi and go, and the growing world of esports.

Audiences now follow every movement of the players while joining in the fun and excitement during a match’s critical moments. Pokémon battles are yet another type of competition that has become a part of this trend.

To make this spectator culture even more engaging and enjoyable, The Pokémon Company and HEROZ, Inc. co-developed a new AI tool called “Pokémon Battle Scope” (PBS). This AI tool provides real-time on-screen data for battles that occur in the Pokémon series of video games.

2. The Strategic World of Pokémon Battles

The strategic depth is one of the most fascinating aspects of Pokémon battles. Players do battle using Pokémon they have raised and chosen for the fight.

Every Pokémon is capable of 4 different moves. During each turn, players try to choose the best move based on their assessment of the opponent’s options.

Strategy hinges on the specific types of Pokémon in play and their respective moves. The game features 18 Pokémon types, each with relative strengths and weaknesses.

For instance, the Fire type is strong against Grass-type Pokémon but weak against Water- type Pokémon. Players must weigh these factors and predict how the opponent will play to outsmart them. In this sense, Pokémon battles are a type of mental contest, much like chess.

Luck also plays a role. Roughly 4% of the moves result in a “critical hit,” dealing increased damage. On the other hand, status ailment such as Paralysis, Poison, Burn, or Sleep also features luck.

Even when a battle seems lost, a single move can turn the tables. This unpredictability generates the thrill and excitement of watching battles unfold.

3. Making Battles Accessible to All via AI

PBS allows a wider audience to appreciate the complex nature of battles. Using AI, the tool analyzes the match state and displays a statistical probability of which player holds the upper hand at any given moment. It also shows which move the AI suggests the player should choose next.

By providing real-time visual information as the battle unfolds, PBS allows people who don’t play video games or those unfamiliar with the nuances of online battles to fully enjoy watching the action.

We collaborated with HEROZ, Inc. to create PBS because of their robust track record in developing AI for shogi (Japanese chess). Their greatest strength lies in AI-powered games like Shogi Wars, an app authorized by the Japan Shogi Association.

“Many members of the HEROZ development team are also avid Pokémon enthusiasts with lots of battle experience. This enabled them to undertake development of PBS with a deep understanding of what makes Pokémon battles entertaining.

4. Managing Vast Combinations of Pokémon and Moves

We continued development of PBS with the aim of having it ready in time for the Video Game category at “Pokémon Ryuosen 2024,” held on February 25, 2024.

The Pokémon Company organizes this tournament with a joint sponsorship from the Japan Shogi Association and Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings, the latter of which hosts the “Ryuosen,” the most prestigious title match in the shogi world.

Since shogi AI inspired the original idea behind PBS, the project team members felt a strong desire to debut the tool at this specific event.

In recent years, “Pokémon Ryuosen” has gained popularity as a unique event held in Noh theaters, where participants wear Japanese kimonos.

However, development proved difficult. Unlike shogi, which uses a set number of pieces, Pokémon battles can involve combinations of more than 1,000 different Pokémon and over 900 different moves.

Furthermore, variables such as battlefield weather conditions and status ailment constantly affect the best move. The resulting number of possible combinations is thus truly astronomical.

To train the AI, the team set specific parameters and conducted hundreds of millions of simulations.

5. Fusing Top Player Expertise with AI

When the day of “Pokémon Ryuosen 2024” arrived, excitement filled the comments section of the livestream as soon as the first-round matches began and the AI’s recommended moves appeared on screen.

Both players and spectators understand very well the immense difficulty of analyzing a Pokémon battle in real time. Consequently, the high level of accuracy the AI displayed surprised and impressed the audience.

Their excitement soared even higher whenever a player opted for a move the AI had not suggested. Comments like, “Did they just outplay the AI?!” flooded the chat, and cheers erupted at the livestream site.

The moves the AI suggests represent the “textbook” approach. Because the AI suggests the most naturally “correct” moves, the brilliant, unconventional choices of top players stand out even more.

PBS’s debut at “Pokémon Ryuosen 2024” concluded with a response far exceeding our expectations. Yet, PBS continues to evolve.

We see ample room for improvement, such as increasing the precision of the recommended moves or adding graphs that track how the match is shifting over time.

As a project staff member noted, "We’re excited to keep updating PBS to make the experience even more robust.”

Pokémon battles offer a stage where everyone, from adults to children, can compete seriously under identical conditions. With the AI-powered PBS, the Pokémon battle spectating culture has entered a brand-new phase.

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