What is POL?

Welcome to the world of Pokèmon! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Oak. This world is inhabited far and wide by creatures called Pokèmon. For some people, Pokèmon are pets, others use them for battling. As for myself...I study Pokèmon as a profession. You've taken your first step into Pokèmon Online! More commonly known as POL, Pokèmon Online is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online Pokèmon game in development by a small bureau of dedicated fans.

With a staff of developers frequently at work, the game will never be finished; POL will be constantly updated with new features for players to enjoy. POL originated on a well-known Pokèmon web site called Bulbagarden, by a regular who went by the name Konidias. This version of POL was being developed with a program called GameMaker, in a modified style of Nintendo's first and second generation Pokèmon games. The game was at it's peak during the days of the 'old' Bulbagarden, when suddenly, the project was abandoned completely. The rumor remains that Konidas was forced to retire the hyped project after receiving an email from Nintendo, the company in ownership of the Pokèmon franchise, stating that he was breaching copyright laws, threatening to take legal action if he carried on. However, this rumor resides far from actuality. In truth, despite the time and dedication sacrificed for the project, Konidas' interest in the project eventually ceased. Henceforth, the game's production did as well.

For years, the once-loved heap of potential known as Pokèmon Online was left in its grave. Then along came Haris! Haris' determination to revive the abandoned project lead to the acquiring of POL's first domain outside of Bulbagarden. Haris was conveniently successful in his mission to rejuvenate POL; a corresponding forum community of hyped Pokèmon fans grew as the development of the revived project continued to evolve - this time with the help of Clickteam's Multimedia Fusion 2, in the style of Nintendo's third generation Pokèmon games. Unfortunately, Haris eventually followed Konidas' path, seemingly forming a complete lack of interest in the game, despite its incredible potential. Likewise, POL was left to die, once again. But it didn't.

Production of POL continued, this time lead by the project's long-time head designer, Platinum. Now without a web site or forum community, the profile page of an international online artist community was the project's only development base. After months in the dark, POL was once again brought to public attention after an unofficial forum board was opened to serve as a temporary discussion base for the project. Later, a blog was also created to compensate for POL's long-gone web site.

Now, our new official web site is finally up! Still lead by Platinum, the game is currently being programmed in C++ with a customized engine. It is now being developed in a heavily modified style of Haris' version, in the scale of Nintendo's Pokèmon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum versions. Currently, the aim of the game is to remain true to the concepts of the beloved main series Pokèmon games, while also making it functional as a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game. Development is furthering every day. Get ready Pokèmaniacs! The Pokèmon MMORPG you've all dreamt about is finally coming, and it's completely free! You're very own Pokèmon adventure is about to unfold. A world of dreams and adventures with Pokèmon awaits! Let's go!