What is Pokéngine?

Pokéngine is an online platform and game engine that allows users to create and play fan-made Pokémon games. It provides a set of tools, resources, and a community for aspiring game developers and Pokémon fans to design, build, and share their own Pokémon-themed games. Here are some key features and aspects of Pokéngine:

Game Creation Tools: Pokéngine offers a user-friendly game creation interface that simplifies the process of designing and programming Pokémon games. Users can create custom maps, design characters, and script in-game events to craft unique game experiences.

Custom Pokémon Games: With Pokéngine, users can develop their own Pokémon games, complete with custom regions, storylines, and gym battles. This allows for the creation of entirely new Pokémon adventures, beyond what's offered in the official games.

Community and Sharing: The platform has an active and supportive community of game creators. Users can share their projects, collaborate on game development, and provide feedback to one another. This collaborative environment encourages the sharing of knowledge and resources.

Online Play: Some games created using Pokéngine may include online multiplayer features, allowing players to connect with others and enjoy Pokémon battles and trades.

Sprite and Asset Library: Pokéngine provides access to a library of Pokémon sprites, maps, and assets, making it easier for users to create and customize their games. These assets are often designed to resemble the official Pokémon games.

Fan-Made Projects: Many fan-made Pokémon games and fangames are created using the Pokéngine platform. These projects often reimagine the Pokémon world, introduce new mechanics, and offer unique gameplay experiences.

Constant Development: The Pokéngine platform is continuously updated and improved to provide users with more features and options for game development.

Pokéngine Community: The Pokéngine community hosts game jams, events, and competitions to promote creativity and showcase the work of talented game developers.

Pokéngine is a unique MMO that serves as both a playable game and a game engine, offering users the ability to craft their own Pokémon Regions, Dexes (Pokédexes), and Mons (Pokémon). This dynamic platform is fueled by user-driven content, making it a haven for those who aspire to create their monster-battling RPG adventures or embark on epic journeys within a vast and enigmatic world.

In the world of Pokéngine, you'll find a browser-based MMORPG, a versatile game creation tool, and a repository of user-contributed Dexes, trainers, and Mons. The project has been in development since 2006 and is currently in a closed beta phase. New players can gain access to the MMORPG by registering an account on the platform's website and joining the associated Discord community. Once joined, players can initiate their adventure in the game by using the /access bot command.

Pokéngine is designed to run seamlessly in web browsers, leveraging HTML5 and JavaScript technologies. Games created within this engine employ jCoad, a custom scripting language developed for this purpose. For the best experience, it's recommended to use Google Chrome as your browser of choice. Both mobile and desktop versions of the game are available, and while a downloadable client is in development, it is not yet accessible to players.

Within the vast Pokéngine MMORPG, the world is divided into Regions, each meticulously crafted by the community. Players have the freedom to explore these Regions in any order they prefer, with the assurance that their progress will be saved for future play sessions. Each Region boasts its unique layout, challenges, Mons, and a captivating storyline. Whether you're embarking on sprawling adventures through diverse locales or delving into smaller-scaled regions featuring puzzles and distinctive gameplay mechanics, there's a wealth of content to uncover.

New players commence their journey on HUB Island, a region specially designed to acquaint you with the game's fundamental mechanics. From there, you can venture to the Airport and choose from a selection of available regions to explore. Neo Sinnoh and Retro Kanto, inspired by the Diamond and Pearl and Red and Blue games, respectively, are excellent starting points for newcomers. While the core regions may seem familiar, expect delightful surprises, including new Mons and other intriguing discoveries.

Navigating Pokéngine is an intuitive experience, dependent on whether you're playing on a mobile device or desktop. The game adapts its controls to your screen size, ensuring a seamless transition between mobile and desktop play. For optimal performance, it's advised to use Google Chrome.

In the desktop version of the game, players have specific controls at their disposal. For mobile play, on-screen buttons and swiping gestures offer convenient navigation through the game's various menus, including the party menu and game chat.

The game interface comprises multiple sub-windows, including the overworld, game chat, and a range of Widgets such as the player's Bag, region map, Dex, and current party. These Widgets can be easily rearranged by holding the right-click button and dragging them. Additionally, some Widgets allow users to adjust their size by dragging the bottom-right corner. You can also right-click on many Widgets to minimize them when they're not in use.

When you possess an item in your Bag, it's simple to utilize it by right-clicking or dragging it into the main game window. During wild Mon battles, you can attempt to capture a Mon by dragging a Ball from your Bag into the game window on the turn when you would typically select a move. Furthermore, players have the flexibility to assign hotkeys to specific items, making it easy to use them by pressing the designated key at any time.

It's important to note that while Pokéngine allows users to create and share their own Pokémon games, these games are fan-made and not officially endorsed or affiliated with the Pokémon Company or Nintendo. As with any fan project, they exist within the realm of fan creativity and appreciation for the Pokémon franchise. Users interested in using the Pokéngine platform to create their own games can typically find resources and tutorials within the platform's community to help them get started.