From our lofty vantage point in the hardcore gaming tree house, with its hand drawn "no gurls allowed" sign, stacks of dog-eared games magazines and lingering aroma of sour musk and Doritos, we tend to have a limited idea of what competitive gaming can be.
It is one of the best-selling game franchises, a Nintendo behemoth with truly global appeal. And yet we know so little about where the Pokemon games come from.
Imagine a world where Pokémon isn't a success. No animé spin-offs, no cuddly plush toys or plastic figurines and most importantly no stigma attached. Instead this niche little RPG is revered among gaming connoisseurs, its players free of the apparent social embarrassment that such associations currently bring.