About Me, My Journey Into VGC Starts
The beginning of my competitive Pokemon journey - from casual fan to aspiring VGC player, sharing my path and the tools I'm building along the way.
About Me, My Journey Into VGC Starts
Hey there! My name is Remy, and I was born in 1995—literally the year the first Pokemon games came out!
Funnily enough, I've never played those original Red and Blue versions until recently. My very first Pokemon game was Ruby, and I still remember that incredible Christmas morning, opening one of my gifts and seeing Groudon's majestic form on the box. That moment sparked a journey that continues to this day.
Who Am I?
I'm a software developer who specializes in consumer applications—websites, mobile apps, and everything in between. Programming isn't just my profession; it's also how I approach problems and build solutions, which you'll see reflected in the tools I'm creating for this community.
I've been playing Pokemon since I was seven years old. My favorite version is still Emerald, probably driven purely by nostalgia for those countless hours exploring Hoenn. And yes, my favorite Pokemon is Crobat—I honestly have no idea why, but there's something about that speedy purple bat that just clicks with me!
My Pokemon History
My Pokemon journey started with Ruby, then I owned Diamond before having to skip several generations until I got a 3DS and Pokemon X. Each game brought new discoveries and that familiar sense of wonder that keeps me coming back.
I've always dreamed of playing online with others. I even remember buying one of those wireless link devices to stick on the back of my Game Boy Advance SP. You can imagine my disappointment when I realized it wasn't actually a WiFi module! 😅
My most memorable Pokemon moment has to be catching Rayquaza for the first time. What an absolute legend of a Pokemon! The buildup, the music, the sheer power—it encapsulated everything I love about these games.
What keeps drawing me back to Pokemon is that incredible feeling of always having something to do. Whether it's hunting for legendaries, completing the Pokedex, or shiny hunting, there's always another goal on the horizon.
The Competitive Dream
I've always been fascinated by competitive play but felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information to absorb—team compositions, meta analysis, EV spreads, the works. Plus, let's be honest, I wasn't ready to accept that Crobat might not be the optimal choice for my team!
I've always been drawn to strategic games. While I played Hearthstone competitively for a while, Pokemon just hits different. There's something about the depth, the mind games, and the connection to these creatures I've loved for decades that makes it special.
Today presents a unique paradox: it's never been easier to get started in competitive Pokemon thanks to online resources and communities, yet it's also more daunting than ever with over 1,000 Pokemon to consider and an ever-evolving meta.
Why I'm Starting This Journey Now
I'm diving into this journey now because I finally have the perfect storm of factors: time, resources, and genuine eagerness to learn. But there's another crucial element—I want to build my own tools to approach this game in my unique way while having fun with the process.
As a developer, I see opportunities everywhere to create solutions that make the competitive scene more accessible and enjoyable for newcomers like myself.
My Plan: Tools, Articles, and Growth
For all the new players who find themselves in the same position I'm in, I've decided to document this entire journey and work to make competitive Pokemon more accessible to everyone.
I'm actively building a suite of tools (some already available on this site!) designed to help players track their progress and train their strategic thinking. Think of them as training wheels for your competitive Pokemon brain.
You can expect me to share:
- Journey updates: My wins, losses, and everything I learn along the way
- Tool development: New features, updates, and the reasoning behind each decision
- Game news and analysis: Coverage of VGC developments and general Pokemon news
- Team breakdowns: Deep dives into team compositions and strategies
- Learning resources: Guides and tutorials from a beginner's perspective
My hope is that both newcomers and experienced players will find value in this content. Sometimes a fresh perspective can shed new light on familiar concepts.
Let's Grow Together
If this resonates with you, I'd love for you to follow along! The website is still being built from the ground up, with exciting features planned including a newsletter and comment system for community engagement.
I'm incredibly excited to embark on this journey, and I believe it's going to be both fun and educational for all of us. Whether you're a seasoned VGC veteran or someone taking their first steps into competitive play, there's a place for you in this community we're building.
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This is just the beginning of what I hope will be an exciting and educational journey into competitive Pokemon. Whether you're a seasoned VGC veteran or someone like me just starting out, I hope you'll find value in following along as I learn, grow, and build tools to help our community thrive.