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In a way, that's perhaps understandable. Most other eSports have been designed for competition, while the competitive element is just one facet of Pokémon, a game primarily designed for its players to trade and collect monsters. The Pokémon Company has to balance supporting the competitive scene while ensuring the series doesn't just become known as a game about battling, in order to maintain its inclusiveness. After all, it's precisely that kind of atmosphere that has allowed new players to develop and thrive in a welcoming environment. It is, as Marti said, all about bringing people together – in this case, one of the warmest and friendliest game communities there is. Whatever the Nationals' shortcomings as a competitive event, in that regard it's an undoubted success.Related, on VICE Sports: The Technological Challenges of Competitive Super Smash Bros.
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