A PXR Mascot?

[The-Hydra]

One thing I noticed right off the bat when I came here, Was that There seems to be no mascot. I mean, We have that little Pikachu right next to the site name, But he's not exactly a mascot, Just Pokémon's mascot to help make this seem more like a pokemon site. But I think it would be nice if we could get a more official mascot. A lot of pokemon sites have them. Serebii has Celebi, Smogon has Koffing, Pokestadium had Lucario, Etc., Etc. (Not really sure if PE2K had one, I never used that site for much beyond sprites) So I thought it might be a good idea to get a PXR mascot, A pokemon to come to mind when you hear the site's name. This thread is to discuss the possibility of a mascot, Or perhaps possible candidates. I actually don't have any mascot ideas myself, Except Aron since it supposedly eats railroad tracks. (Lame, I know XD) Any ideas/opinions?

Nominations:

Aron
Manaphy
Tyrogue
Suicune
Dunsparce
Hydreigon
Poliwhirl

[Caite-chan]

I think it would be cool and we should try and pick a Pokemon that's not used very much or as popular.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

We initially decided not to have a mascot Pokemon because everyone likes such different Pokemon and we wanted to represent all fans, rather than only a few. I think some kind of logo could be cool. Like maybe using Pokeball symbols or something universal and some pretty text, rather than a single/few Pokemon. Maybe we could have a logo design contest or something. The Aron idea is cute though. xD

[The-Hydra]

I agree with that, Catie, Something that's not normally very popular, Thus making it more of a signature pokemon for PXR.

[EmeraldSky]

Why not have this Pokemon (whoever it is) be at a literal crossroads, like the four ways in to Saffron City?

[Braixen]

Maybe we could have a logo design contest or something.

I love this idea. I think it would be a refreshing way to start the new year on these forums. I know I am relatively new here but I think asking members and staff to enter into a create a logo contest (with some rules such as it should only feature one Pokemon) would be very interesting and a good way to bring everyone together! If you decide to execute this plan I would love to partake in some shape or form. If you want to keep the entire fan base included you could possibly host this sort of contest frequently so that the "logo" could change every so often! Just throwing some ideas around. Either way I think it could be interesting.

[The-Hydra]

If we did do a logo contest, Would the mascot be chosen by the designer, Or would some kind of poll be held to decide the mascot, Then all entries would feature said pokemon?

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

Well the logo may not even include a Pokemon at all, as I mentioned above. (And if you think about it, the ones without Pokemon would probably be more likely to win because they appeal to more people than specific Pokemon do.) We could even use all the entries for different things around the forum as well and switch them up a bit, as Absol said. That way we don't really have a single mascot, but we have a bunch of logos that would appeal to all different people. :)

[Obliveon]

As far as the Crossroads Themed Pokémon idea goes, we could use Eevee or Tyogue since they have multiple evolutions. We could also use Wurmple, since it's Evolution line splits or Poliwhirl for the same reason because it can evolve into Poliwrath or Politoed. Same with Gloom who can evolve into Vileplume or Bellossom and Kirlia who can evolve into Gardevoir or Gallade. Snorunt as well, since it evolves into Glalie or Froslass and Clampearl because it evolves into Gorebyss or Huntail. We can also use Unown because it has 28 different Formes and Deoxys because of it's multiple Formes. We can have a triple mascot of Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour since they're similar but different Types. Like you have to choose between them. Vivillion's pattern is determined on it's location, so it has many patterns. Arceus can change to any type too. Zorua and Zoroark can create the illusion of being anything as well. However, I think DITTO is the ideal mascot since it isn't exactly popular and it can change into ANY Pokémon.

[shaymin]

Just popping in here to say that Ditto isnt the Pokemon that comes to my mind when I think "Crossroads".

[Braixen]

To go along the lines of what Obliveon was saying and concluding Eevee seems like a pretty great fit. Different eeveelutions could be used for different areas of the Forum, and picking what eeveelution you want is always such a crossroads.

Also I adore Eevee and I think Eevee and its eeveelutions appeal to the vast majority of Pokemon fans. Although I am sure there are a few people who don't love them as much.

[The-Hydra]

Personally, I think we should go with a more unpopular pokemon, Since Eevee is probably one of the most popular pokemon out there.

[Braixen]

Personally, I think we should go with a more unpopular pokemon, Since Eevee is probably one of the most popular pokemon out there.
Interesting, what is the benefit of that? Just to be unique ?

[The-Hydra]

Yep, You pretty much nailed it. You'd want a mascot to be unique, So it becomes easier for it to be the first thing that comes to mind when they think of your site. I think that worked well for sites like Smogon, With their choice of the normally unpopular Koffing.

[Braixen]

Yep, You pretty much nailed it. You'd want a mascot to be unique, So it becomes easier for it to be the first thing that comes to mind when they think of your site. I think that worked well for sites like Smogon, With their choice of the normally unpopular Koffing.

That's a good point! I can see both sides of the spectrum. It's nice to have a mascot people can relate to, but it's also appealing to have a unique one so that people can remember you by it. :)

[shaymin]

My vote goes to Manaphy, just because.

Even though it's not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of "crossroads" either, it's a unique enough Pokemon that isn't really taken by any other site iirc.

[Braixen]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2908968249_21edaa824e_m.jpg

Very underrated Pokemon too. :)

[The-Hydra]

Perhaps we could make a list of nominations, And then have everyone choose their favorite?

[Sonic20]

I vote dunsparce.

He deserves more respect then he gets, both from the fans and GAME FREAK.

[DarkNerd]

I absolutely love the idea of a logo contest!
I've made a few logos before (okay, so just two), so if we do a contest, I'm definitely in (and if you choose to go with a designer, I'm technically one too, eh eh, nudge nudge, wink wink). Although the idea of changing logos is neat, I'm not absoluteely behind it, as logos exist to give a place an identity, not literally, but be sort of an ID card. You see a yellow M, McDonalds. We all can recognise the Pokemon logo font. Colonel Sanders is synonymous with KFC. Changing them would render them useless. If someone passed by our site once, saw a nice logo and memorized that, which is what a logo should do, then we change that, they might not notice us again/like the site for changing the logo. It's an awesome concept from a community standpoint, but fails epically as a logo. Still, it can be done, and in today's day and age everything gets refreshed all the time, so who knows?

[MrZangetsu]

I personally think we should pick a pokemon that is classified as a wandering pokemon, because to me, crossroads gives sort of the feeling of adventure and travelling, I think it would fit perfectly.

[Blaquaza]

I think a mascot would be a great idea! :biggrin:

However, I wouldn't really want it to be a popular Pokémon like Pikachu, or Eevee. I'm not a huge fan of Manaphy, either, but I'd be fine with pretty much every other Pokémon you can think of.

[Cheshire]

I quite like the wandering pokemon idea - I think it fits the site. Perhaps, going off the current colour scheme, something like Suicune or Articuno might do it.

[The-Hydra]

Alright, Here's the list of nominations so far (Limited to one nomination per person)
Aron
Manaphy
Tyrogue
Suicune
Dunsparce

I'm actually a fan of the Suicune and Tyrouge ideas, Since Suicune wanders around (Much like this site) and Tyroge has a branched out evolution chain, But is much, Much, Less popular than Eevee. And regarding that logo contest idea: I support the idea, But I think we should still vote on a set mascot first to make the non-artsy people (Like me) get to feel involved also.

[ShadowBolt25]

Hydreigon seems perfect

(another is Zekrom but if only one can be chosen Hydreigon seems The best choice )

[The-Hydra]

Just wondering your reasoning behind that choice. Why would Hydreigon be perfect? Suicune's fitting as a wanderer, Tyrogue branches out, Manaphy matches the color scheme, Aron eats and lives by railroads, And Dunsparce....Uh...Well, He's Dunsparce.

[ShadowBolt25]

Hydreigon is a great Pokemon & he is a wanderer in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon - Gates to Infinity

[Dash]

As much as I like the idea of a mascot, I feel like it limits us too much. Same as with other people, it just makes fans say "oh, they use a Pokemon I don't like, I don't like this site." I've seen it happen numerous times, the main one being Smogon and Seribii, who respectively use Koffing and Celebi. Besides, as somebody said, I think we would be best of have numerous mascots for each section. Would these votes be for the main one, or the one to serve entirely? That's my question.

[Caite-chan]

Why not use a person instead of a Pokemon.

[The-Hydra]

I think we would be best of have numerous mascots for each section.

That would definitely be a cool idea, And I don't think I've seen it been done anywhere else. I've never really been put off by a forum mascot, (In fact, Lucario is one of my least favorite pokemon but that didn't stop me from liking Pokestadium) But I guess there's some picky people out there. I think it would still be nice just to have a sort of main signature pokemon for the site, To give it more of a feeling of identity. Oh, And using a person instead of a Pokémon? Maybe we could do that...

[Blaquaza]

What about Poliwhirl as a mascot? It was going to be one of the main Pokémon in the media when Gen I was first released, but it faded away. Also, it'd fit well with the blue of the forum.

If we're doing sub-forum specific mascots, though, Smeargle should be in the art section, and Chatot should be in the Discussion area. Unown ? could take this section, too. Just a few ideas. :smile:

[Grassy_Aggron]

Why stop at Aron? Let's go all the way up to Aggron.

/is in no way biased at all.

[The-Hydra]

And you know what? Let's go that one step further and make it a green Aggron. Well, Not green, But more of a "Grassy" shade, You kn- Waaaaait a second, I think you might be biased. But then again, You have a disclaimer. Disclaimers never lie.

[Obliveon]

Just popping in here to say that Ditto isnt the Pokemon that comes to my mind when I think "Crossroads".

Why not? It can be ANY Pokémon it wants. If the choice of which Pokémon it would turn into isn't a huge crossroads I don't know what is. I mean it has like 600+ choices. It also fits in with the whole "not popular or commonly loved/used" thing we were going for.

[Winter]

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but if not, can I nominate Smeargle? Cuz we're supposed to support fanworks and stuff, and Smeargle's an art-based Pokemon? XD *Has been thinking about this since I got put in charge of the site DeviantArt group I never seem to do anything with*

[MC Elesa]

For the social media outlets, we use a Victini. Kind of a cool pokemon on an image that we had that fitted perfectly into the square we get for those things.

I forgot where or how but during the planning process, somebody brought up that there is a location called Crossroads in a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon game which was an inspiration for this site's name. Maybe I am getting stories crossed but look up Spinda's Cafe and it mentions a crossroad. We are suppose to be that Spinda's Cafe. Come in tired traveler and look at all the stuff we have to show. Maybe?

Long story short, Spinda would be a cool Pokemon for a mascot.

Smeargle is cool too.

Overall, I like the idea of a logo contest. It gets the community involved and that is always fun.

[Maddox]

I think that, out of all the suggestions so far, I like the idea of a person for a mascot best. I imagine someone leaning against a road sign at a crossroads, a hood or hat pulled down to cover their face. We could even make it a pair of people, one a guy and one a girl, their faces hidden to make them more relate-able to everyone.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

That's a really cool idea, Wyatt. I kinda like the person idea too. Are there any characters that exist that people think would work? Or is it better to come up with some generic trainers to represent us all, as Wyatt said?

[The-Hydra]

Although I would prefer a pokemon (So much more interesting than ol' humans) if we did do one, I think Brock might be a good idea, Since he was a big character in the anime, And the original first pokemon gym leader.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

Although I would prefer a pokemon (So much more interesting than ol' humans) if we did do one, I think Brock might be a good idea, Since he was a big character in the anime, And the original first pokemon gym leader.
No worries. Nothing's decided or anything. I'm just trying to open up discussion a bit and see if anyone has any brilliant ideas! :)

[The-Hydra]

Another idea: If we do the multiple mascots thing, Maybe we could have Humans/Trainers/Gym leaders as the mascots for some sections, And Pokémon for others!

[shaymin]

I honestly think Pokemon are a lot more memorable than humans are. I don't know, there's just something about trainers that makes them so plain and unappealing, and yet Pokemon themselves could have a variety of features about them that appeal to a more wider demographic, so to speak.

[MC Elesa]

How about Cynde? You know, that guy who gives you tips before battling the gym.

[Blaquaza]

I've got one more idea; Kecleon. It adapts to its surroundings and - to simplify it so my point makes more sense - changes based on what happens to it. Lots of us swarmed here from either PE2K or PS/PP and adapted, making it our home, so I guess it would make sense.

Also, different forums could have different coloured Kecleon. :smile:

[Death's Spook]

I've got one more idea; Kecleon. It adapts to its surroundings and - to simplify it so my point makes more sense - changes based on what happens to it. Lots of us swarmed here from either PE2K or PS/PP and adapted, making it our home, so I guess it would make sense.

Also, different forums could have different coloured Kecleon. :smile:

Or the different skins. I LOVE this idea.

[shaymin]

Speaking of skins, We also have a skin designing team (somewhat in the works but they exist), and they're going to learn how to skin as they mess around and test skins of all sorts and that kinda stuff. Don't want to drift this too off-topic, but sometime in the future, we should definitely expect some neat-looking skins! So it'll definitely be easier, if we decide on a mascot, and make a skin off of them, etc.

[Friday]

Two pokemon I think would work for crossroads are Sudowoodo and Snorlax because in the games they are both found at crossroads blocking your way? That might be backwards to the theme we are already going for, but I thought they would be fitting.

[Blaquaza]

I think there needs to be some kind poll set-up soon. There could be some kind of thread with every suggestion so far, and once they've been narrowed down to 10 a poll could be put in place. :smile:

[Corey]

We initially decided not to have a mascot Pokemon because everyone likes such different Pokemon and we wanted to represent all fans, rather than only a few. I think some kind of logo could be cool. Like maybe using Pokeball symbols or something universal and some pretty text, rather than a single/few Pokemon. Maybe we could have a logo design contest or something. The Aron idea is cute though. xD

I'm highly against a mascot for the reason stated here. Though, my opinion is dwarfed by all those who do want a mascot. :x

On the nominations list in the first post, I only really like Manaphy. If we're going to have one, I nominate Goodra!

[Maddox]

I'm also against the idea of choosing a single pokémon to be a mascot since everyone has very different opinions on what pokémon they like, the Daily Pokémon Opinions thread has been excellent proof of that. I would even suggest possibly devising a fakemon, a Crossroads Pokémon, to be our mascot but I think we'd run into the same problem, some people would like it and others wouldn't. I think if we do come up with something, it needs to be more generic, like Sarah's idea of a logo instead of a mascot.

[The-Hydra]

I've never seen so many opinions in one place XD

I guess we could make a poll that would last a week or so, With these 4 options on the hypothetical mascot:

1. One mascot for the entire site
2. Different mascots for different forums
3. A logo instead of a mascot
4. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Then after that, We could set up a Mascot voting poll/Mascots voting poll/Logo contest/Nothing?

[Blaquaza]

I've never seen so many opinions in one place XD

I guess we could make a poll that would last a week or so, With these 4 options on the hypothetical mascot:

1. One mascot for the entire site
2. Different mascots for different forums
3. A logo instead of a mascot
4. Nothing. Nothing at all.

Then after that, We could set up a Mascot voting poll/Mascots voting poll/Logo contest/Nothing?
That'd be a great start. We could have all different sub-categories if we get a 'yes' answer to a mascot, like:

1. One Pokémon
2. Multiple Pokémon
3. One Trainer
4. Multiple Trainers
5. Seriously, stop with the mascot stuff (just so people can have one last protest)

Obviously, I can imagine there only being one mascot per forum if that option gets chosen, but you never know... :biggrin: