“I go to the gym, but not to work out. I go to the Pokémon gym,” he says with a bright smile.
This was part of a self introduction by a member of my orientation camp group when I first entered university. I recall wondering if he had made this up, only to find out that he had been on a sponsored trip to the US – he represented Singapore in the Pokémon World Championships.
This was also when I realized that Pokémon extended beyond friendly card games and our digital devices – an international Pokémon competition exists.
Recently, I came to know about Soon Aik, a Pokémon professor in Singapore. While professional Pokémon players was a concept I was familiar with, a Pokémon professor was a first.
Soon Aik The Pokémon Professor
Soon Aik is a Technical Manager by day – his daily tasks include system performance checks, maintenance and security and integrity of the (point of sale)POS system.
Just like most of us, his first experience the video game Pokémon Yellow, which belonged to his brother. His first Pokémon game was Pokémon Red.
Having played with Pokémon Red myself when I was younger, I wondered if the choice of starter Pokémon by a Pokémon Professor would be any different – and if so, were there any special reasons?
Instead, Soon Aik replied matter of factly – with Pokémon Yellow, there were no options other than Pikachu.
“For Pokémon Red, Charmander was my starter Pokémon.”
I decide to press on about his favourite Pokémon – with more than 800 Pokémon now, I was almost certain that it would be difficult to narrow his choices down to just one. Yet, he managed to do so.
“I adore Eevee. It is a versatile Pokémon with the ability to evolve and adapt to its environment. Other than its first 3 evolutions using the elemental stones, it takes a different evolutionary path in vastly different environments and conditions.”
Becoming A Professor
Aik Soon’s journey to becoming a Pokémon professor began 7 years ago.
“The first Pokémon Video Game event held by Maxsoft, Nintendo’s Singapore distributor, was in Millenia Walk on 13 June 2010 over 2 weekends,” he recalls with extreme accuracy.
“I volunteered to help out the event, and joined the company 3 months later. Back then, there were only trading card games (TCG) Pokémon Professors.”
“It took me another 6 months to understand the Pokémon TCG products and ace my professor test.”
While Aik Soon has simplified the process, I come to learn that there are several stages one has to go through before becoming a certified Pokémon professor.
One of the first steps include deciding how to volunteer your time, with three areas of expertise to choose from: Organizer, Trading Card Game Judge, and Video Game Judge. This also determines the type of certification that they will receive.
Afterwards, aspiring professors submit an application, which includes basic contact information and information about your qualifications among other fields.
From there, applicants take to a certification exam, where they will have to demonstrate the basic knowledge and skills required for their chosen role.
Lastly – a process which surprised me – background checks on organizer candidates are also done whenever possible. According to The Pokémon Company, this is to ensure that players are protected and “guarantees that Play! Pokémon events are placed in the best possible hands”.
Newly credited professors will have to volunteer for a certain number of events yearly, where they can climb the ranks in a particular expertise, or become certified for multiple roles.
Role Model
With all the effort it takes to become a Pokémon professor, what exactly does a Pokémon professor do?
Aik Soon shares with me that a Pokémon professor goes beyond the role of a judge or organizer. A professor acts as a role model in the community – to uphold positive community spirit and assist Pokémon to share the knowledge and joy of the TCG or video games.
In fact, not all professors are guaranteed a ticket to the Pokémon World Championships.
“Only the top graded Pokémon professors of the region will be invited to the prestigious Pokémon Worlds Championships, as part of the team serving the world’s best players.”
Aik Soon says that his journey as a Pokémon Professor “has been an awesome experience.”
He started as a grassroots tournament organizer hosting unofficial local tournaments, and has since witnessed the growth of the community through different generations of Pokémon Games (Diamond Pearl to UltraSun, UltraMoon, which is the 4th generation to 7th generation).
Since 2015, he has also gained recognition from the Pokémon Company as an official Video Game Tournament Organizer.
“Sending and rewarding capable players to the Pokémon Worlds Championships and players flying the Singapore Flag high regardless of their tournament results at Worlds was a very memorable feat to witness.”
Pokémon Professors In Singapore
Surprisingly, Soon Aik is not the only Pokémon professor in Singapore. Having been one for many years, he shares that he personally knows a number of Pokémon Professors, mostly in TCG.
“As the pioneer Pokémon Video Game Pokémon Professor, I am seeing newer professors taking up the role of Video Game Tournament organizers and Judges.”
Beyond our tiny red dot, there are many other Pokémon Professors worldwide. Aik Soon says that he is fortunate to have met some of the most experienced professors in the world, and to work alongside them at the yearly Pokémon World Championships.
While earning the title of Pokémon professor might be alluring to some, Aik Soon cautions against applicants who are not vested in carrying out its duties.
“On the Pokemon.com website, anyone who is interested could simply send in their applications online. However, few are aware that there is more to the meaning of being a Pokémon professor.”
“Pokémon Professors are the role models of the community, and have the responsibility of upholding the image of Pokemon; earning the respect from the community is not something that happens overnight.”
He adds that some submit the professor test just to hold the Pokémon professor title, which is not in line with the professor core values.
He gives the example of being a pilot – acquiring the pilot licence and certification not only represents your knowledge, experience and capability of flying, but also to be responsible for the passengers who will ride on your plane.
“I feel that a Pokémon Professor has a similar role. Like a pilot, a Pokémon Professor will have a huge influence on the direction that their Pokémon Community will grow and head to in the future.”
