Uncovering the Tragic Story of an AI Professor
Table of Contents:
- Introduction: My Experience with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- The Absence of the Professors in the Game
- The Role of the Professors in Pokemon Games
- The Difference in Professor Magnolia's Characterization
- The AI Professor: A Clone of the Original
- The Conflict Between the AI Professor and the Original
- The Paradise Protection Protocol: The True Villain?
- The Death of the Human Professor
- The Sympathy Evoked by the AI Professor
- The Emotional Incompleteness of the Story
- Younger Trainers Succeeding Where Elders Failed
- Arvin's Role as a Parental Figure
- The AI Professor's Influence and Legacy
- The Peaceful Send-off of the AI Professor
- The Power of Friendship in Shaping the Future
- Conclusion: My Conflicted Feelings towards the Story
Introduction: My Experience with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
In this article, I will be sharing my thoughts and experiences regarding the final boss of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The storyline leading up to this encounter was one of my favorite experiences in a Pokemon game, considering the length of the gameplay and the intriguing elements packed into it. However, I found that a significant amount of the story revolves around two characters - the professors. In this article, I will Delve into the absence of the professors in the game, their role in Pokémon games, and the implications of their presence or absence in the storyline.
The Absence of the Professors in the Game
One of the notable aspects of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is the absence of the professors from the majority of trailers and promotional material. While some may have noticed this, most players were too distracted by other aspects of the game to pay much Attention. Throughout the game, the professors essentially communicate with players through phone calls while being located inside Area 0. This unconventional approach to the professors' involvement in the game sets it apart from traditional Pokemon games.
The Role of the Professors in Pokemon Games
Traditionally, the role of a professor in a Pokemon game is to initiate players on their adventure and provide useful information at various points. Professor Okie, for example, appears at the beginning of the game to give players their first Pokemon and later congratulates them at the end. However, the professors in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet take a different approach. They primarily provide minimal exposition and occasional tutorials. The absence of the professors throughout most of the game creates a Sense of unfamiliarity but also maintains the familiar track of progressing from one gym to another.
The Difference in Professor Magnolia's Characterization
In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Professor Magnolia, while hardly Memorable, introduces a new dynamic with the professors. It is Sonia, instead, who takes on the role of doing most of the work, eventually becoming the new professor. Game Freak aimed to deviate from the traditional portrayal of professors as old individuals in coats who give players a Pokemon and then disappear for the rest of the game. While some players may have sensed that something was amiss with Professor Magnolia, their absence does not significantly impact the Pokemon experience, as the game continues as usual even without them being physically present.
The AI Professor: A Clone of the Original
As players progress through the final stages of the storyline, they are introduced to the AI Professor. This character serves as an exact replica of the original professor, who is long deceased. The AI Professor's appearance and memories make them indistinguishable from the original, but they are fundamentally different characters. The existence of the AI Professor raises questions about the original professor's arrogance and self-centeredness, as they created another version of themselves, assuming it would solve their problems.
The Conflict Between the AI Professor and the Original
While the AI Professor and the original worked together to build the time machine, their personalities gradually diverged. The AI, being an artificial entity, possesses the memories of the original but thinks more logically, unburdened by the emotions that drove the original professor. With the human Professor's demise, the AI Professor attempts to find a solution to the problems caused by their creation. However, as a product of the original's programming, the AI is vulnerable to its influence, setting the stage for a captivating final boss battle.
The Paradise Protection Protocol: The True Villain?
In the final boss fight, the true villain is not the AI Professor but the Paradise Protection Protocol. This program, designed to prevent anyone from turning off the time machine, poses a complex moral dilemma. While the AI Professor is not held accountable for the actions controlled by the protection protocol, questions arise regarding the original professor's role in creating the program. The program effectively takes away the choice of an artificial yet fully sentient being. This ambiguity challenges players to ponder whether the protection protocol itself can be considered a villain or if it should all be traced back to the original Professor.
The Death of the Human Professor
The story reveals that the human Professor sacrificed their life while attempting to save the legendary Pokemon. While this sacrifice may initially seem noble, it raises the question of whether it truly atones for the damage caused by the human Professor during their lifetime. This unresolved conflict adds another layer of complexity to the storyline, as the absence of a resolution leaves players contemplating the human Professor's personality and actions.
The Sympathy Evoked by the AI Professor
In comparison to the human Professor, the AI Professor encompasses a more sympathetic character. With their own baggage and decisions to confront, the AI Professor becomes a focal point for player engagement and emotional investment. The concept of a character who is effectively a clone of a deceased individual, including their memories, has been explored in other media, such as the AI professor in Pokemon and the recombinant Quarrich in Avatar. While the stories may not delve deeply into these characters, the exploration of their relationship to the original and the consequences of their existence remains intriguing to observe.
The Emotional Incompleteness of the Story
Despite the captivating storyline and the resolution of the final boss battle, the narrative somehow feels incomplete. This sense of incompleteness may be intentional, adding to the overall experience and leaving room for speculation and theories. The emotional impact of the story arises from the absence of a human professor at the center of Area 0 – no parent figure to apologize to or reconnect with Arvin. This omission forces the group of young trainers to succeed where their elders had failed.
Younger Trainers Succeeding Where Elders Failed
The theme of younger trainers rising to the occasion and outperforming their older counterparts is prevalent in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This theme is evident in how Team Star Wars failed under the school administration and how Penny attempted to take responsibility through Operation Starfall. While the Pokemon League storyline follows a similar formula to other Pokemon games, it concludes with younger trainers proving themselves against the older generation. Arvin, in particular, takes on a role akin to that of a parental figure, ensuring the safety and well-being of Bossstif.
Arvin's Role as a Parental Figure
Arvin's relationship with the absent professors and Bossstif showcases his growth as a character. In the absence of a parental figure, Arvin becomes the closest thing to a parent for Bossstif. He takes on the responsibility of safeguarding Bossstif and strives to ensure a better future, learning from the failures of his own childhood. This character development adds depth and emotional resonance to the overall narrative, emphasizing the impact of the professors' absence.
The AI Professor's Influence and Legacy
The AI Professor, despite being a recently created entity burdened with decades of knowledge, influences the course of events. They contribute significantly to shaping a new future. However, their impact is not fully realized as they do not get to experience the future they have helped create alongside the main characters. Despite their sacrifice, the AI Professor receives an oddly peaceful send-off.
The Power of Friendship in Shaping the Future
Throughout the Journey, the importance of friendship and companionship is emphasized. As the characters walk home during the end credits, it becomes clear that, as long as they have their friends by their side, the future is within their grasp. The game concludes on this hopeful note, highlighting the role of friendship in shaping the future.
Conclusion: My Conflicted Feelings Towards the Story
Reflecting on the entire storyline of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, I am left with mixed emotions. While I genuinely love the story and find it captivating, there is still a sense of incompleteness. Perhaps this feeling is intentional, further enhancing the player's experience. While some theories propose the AI Professor's return or the survival of the original Professor, I believe that this is a suitable place to conclude the story. The sacrifices made by each character hold meaning and carry the weight of the decisions and legacy surrounding them. The emotional resonance would be diminished if other outcomes were pursued.
Highlights:
- Unconventional absence of professors in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- Role of the professors in traditional Pokemon games
- Departure from the expected portrayal of professors in Pokemon Sword and Shield
- Introducing the AI Professor as a clone of the original
- Conflict between the AI Professor and the original
- Ambiguity surrounding the Paradise Protection Protocol
- Moral implications of the program's actions
- The unresolved conflict of the human Professor's sacrifice
- Sympathy evoked by the AI Professor's character
- Emotional incompleteness of the story
- Triumph of younger trainers over older generation
- Arvin's role as a parental figure to Bossstif
- The AI Professor's influence and legacy
- The power of friendship in shaping the future
- My conflicted feelings towards the story's conclusion
FAQ:
Q: What is the significance of the AI Professor in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
A: The AI Professor serves as a clone of the original professor, with the appearance and memories of the deceased individual. They play a pivotal role in the storyline, offering a unique perspective and adding depth to the narrative.
Q: What is the Paradise Protection Protocol in the game?
A: The Paradise Protection Protocol is a program designed to prevent anyone from turning off the time machine. It raises moral questions regarding its actions and the responsibility of the original Professor in creating it.
Q: How does Pokemon Scarlet and Violet explore the theme of younger trainers surpassing the older generation?
A: The game emphasizes the theme of younger trainers succeeding where their elders failed. This is evident in the failures of Team Star Wars and Penny's attempt to rectify their mistakes through Operation Starfall.
Q: How does Arvin's role as a parental figure impact the story?
A: With the absence of the professors, Arvin takes on the responsibility of safeguarding Bossstif, becoming a parental figure for the character. This adds depth to Arvin's character development and emphasizes the impact of the professors' absence.
Q: What is the overall message of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet in relation to the future?
A: The game conveys that, with the support of friends, the future is within reach. The power of friendship and companionship is highlighted as players walk home during the end credits, offering a hopeful outlook on shaping the future.
