Why this game exists, and what it means.
Part One: Protectionism
In 2016, a fan group—not affiliated with me—released a game called Pokémon Uranium. It was a fresh take on the Pokémon world, introducing new creatures including “nuclear Pokémon.” What amazed me most was that this was a completely fan-run project—no money, no corporate backing—just people passionate about games, exploration, and community.
This kind of collaboration is one of the best things we can do in society—especially when so many spend time fighting each other. The idea that people would come together out of love for something they treasured and create something new was wonderful.
Shortly after, Nintendo’s lawyers shut the project down.
I understand trademark law—companies must protect their brand. But what baffled me was how corporations, capitalism, and the public ignore one truth: ideas are not ownable.
You cannot trademark or copyright an idea. Ideas belong to all of us. Imagine if corporations tried to stop you from having ideas! That would be a nightmare.
The idea of small monsters living in the world isn’t original to Pokémon. Nintendo itself borrowed the mechanic from Dragon Quest, a popular Japanese game that preceded Pokémon. Yet here, a fan project using public ideas was shut down by powerful lawyers.
That injustice stayed with me, tucked in my brain near the amygdala.
Part Two: A Personal Discovery
I gave some Pokémon cards to a younger relative, expecting excitement. Instead, I saw blunted avarice. They weren’t interested in playing or the world of the game—they just wanted the most valuable cards to sell someday.
This hollowing-out of childhood, replaced by capitalist competition, hit me hard.
The Solution: Jukaiju
I wanted to create a game that does not encourage collecting or spending, but instead celebrates the beautiful parts of childhood—and humanity: creation, imagination, and play.
Inspired by Pokémon Uranium, I decided to flip the script.
One early working title for Jukaiju was “The People’s Pocket Monsters.”
Why not a game where you can play with friends, share, and create—without battling your bank account? A game focused on the best parts of games and community, while still exploring the fun idea of monsters roaming the world.
It’s taken time. No lawyers, no corporate teams—just me, building Jukaiju piece by piece.
I’ve sold it locally, refined it, and am now working toward a final version that will be free to the world.
I hope you enjoy Jukaiju, share it freely, and remember:
The power to create, share, and build community belongs to you—
and it can’t be stopped by corporate lawyers or capitalist propaganda.