Cambridge University Pokémon coder aiming for world glory

June 15, 2026 - 05:42

A Cambridge University student is turning heads in the competitive Pokemon world by writing custom code to sharpen his battle strategies. Marcus Koh, a computer science undergraduate, has developed a program designed to analyze and predict optimal moves in the popular video game, with his sights set on glory at the US championships.

Koh's software processes vast amounts of in-game data, simulating thousands of possible battle scenarios to identify winning patterns. Unlike standard practice tools, his code digs into the nuances of Pokemon types, stats, and move sets, offering a level of strategic depth that human players might miss under pressure. He told reporters that the project started as a personal challenge to merge his academic skills with his longtime hobby.

The Pokemon video game championship circuit is fiercely competitive, drawing top players from around the world. Koh's approach highlights a growing trend of competitors using data science and programming to gain an edge. While some purists debate the ethics of such tools, Koh insists his code only assists with preparation, not during live matches. He plans to refine the software further before the US finals, aiming to prove that a coder's mind can be just as powerful as a trainer's instinct.