The internet has been set ablaze with the new phenomenon known as Twitch Plays Pokemon. Originally designed as a simple social experiment, the game blew up beyond the expectations of the creator. Based off the live streaming platform Twitch, traditionally known for streaming podcasts and video game tournaments, as well as a Gameboy emulator and the classic Pokemon Red, the game involves a chat input command system where anyone in the chat room can enter a command for the character to do. Because tens of thousands of people are in a chat room at any given time, the character is at mercy to the sometimes completely contradictory commands of the mob.

The game has reached a viewership of anywhere between 50,000 to 150,000 people, with a good percentage of viewers participating in the commands. Its appeal has transcended both the Twitch and Pokemon community. Major news organizations have not only covered the fad, but are covering individual events that happen within the game. Dedicated forums and ‘subs’ on reddit have not only given a place for large swarms of people to map out strategy and plans of action, but also a birthing place for a strange and organic culture. Cult-like religions focused around certain Pokemon and items have emerged. The characters have been elated to God-like status, with many focusing on the holy relic dubbed ‘Helix Fossil’ and the strongest Pokemon in the group, aaabaaajss, otherwise known as Bird Jesus.

Students around the school have taken interest in Twitch Plays Pokemon as well. Seniors Chris Macadam and Michael Knapp have been following the game closely.

“Twitch Plays Pokemon is a bunch of people playing the exact same game with the exact same controls at the exact same time,” Knapp said.  “There is so much new content coming from an old game. It is incredibly chaotic and spontaneous, which makes it fun to watch.”

The game offers two modes, Democracy and Anarchy. Players vote on which mode to enable, which changes the way character actions are chosen. In Anarchy, every action input in chat is done. In Democracy, the most popularly voted action after 20 seconds is done.

“It’s 80,000 working and not working together,” Macadam said. “It is a major feat, showing how far humans have come. I am playing with people all over the world with a common goal, to beat a game of Pokemon.”

While online gaming, and specifically massively multiplayer online gaming, has been around for some time. What is unique about Twitch Plays Pokemon, however, is that it is an attempt in crowdsourced gaming, which involves massive amounts of people working in chaotic harmony to achieve the goal.

“Each person in a MMO controls their own character. Here, we are all playing one character. It’s a huge difference,” Macadam said.

Many people are speculating on whether this is indicative of a larger trend. Some are hoping it is the spark of a new movement of crowdsourced gaming. Others think it is a temporary phenomenon that will last no more than a few weeks.

“It’s a quick fad, it’s an idea that is great but the appeal ends with Twitch Plays Pokemon,” Michael said.

“There are few other games you could do something like this with. The mechanics of Pokemon work perfectly,” Macadam said.