Jev plays Pokémon Red
Watch an AI decision model beat Pokémon Red, live
Jev Plays Pokémon Red is a live, streaming experiment where an AI decision model named Jev plays through the entirety of Pokémon Red. Viewers watch the gameplay on YouTube alongside a live feed showing every decision the model makes and the odds it assigns to each option. The project is open source, was built by Christian Mathiesen at Frigade, and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company. No game ROM is included with the source code.
Key Features
Live AI gameplay
Watch the AI decision model Jev play through Pokémon Red in its entirety, live.
Decision transparency
A right-hand panel in the live feed displays every decision Jev makes along with the odds behind each choice.
YouTube stream
The playthrough is broadcast live on YouTube, with game audio available after unmuting.
Open source code
The full source code for the project is publicly available on GitHub.
How It Works
- 1
AI decision model plays the game
Jev, an AI decision model, autonomously decides what to do at each step of Pokémon Red.
- 2
Odds shown in real time
As Jev plays, the live feed surfaces each decision and the model's odds so viewers can follow its reasoning.
- 3
Browser-based live feed
The site itself hosts a 'Jev Boy' live feed (which starts muted, with a control to unmute for game audio) alongside a link to watch on YouTube.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free to watch live on YouTube
- The decision-making process is transparent — every choice and its odds are displayed
- Fully open source, so the implementation can be inspected and studied
- Runs a complete, well-known game rather than a simplified demo
Cons
- Limited to a single game (Pokémon Red); no other titles are supported
- No ROM is included, so replicating it requires sourcing the game yourself
- Depends on a live stream — there is no indication of on-demand archives or replays
- Unaffiliated with Nintendo, so availability could be affected by rights holders
Who It's For
Best for
- Viewers interested in live AI agent experiments and emergent AI behavior
- Developers wanting a real, open-source reference for an AI that plays games
- Pokémon fans curious to watch a machine attempt a full playthrough
- Anyone looking for a novel live stream to follow
Not ideal for
- Viewers looking for a polished commercial product or support
- Users who want the model to play games other than Pokémon Red
- People seeking on-demand, pre-recorded content rather than a live stream
Use Cases
- Watching an AI attempt to beat Pokémon Red from start to finish in real time
- Studying how an AI decision model reasons through a complex game
- Exploring an open-source example of an AI agent playing retro games
- Entertainment and background viewing for fans of AI experiments
Integrations
- YouTube
- GitHub
FAQ
What is Jev Plays Pokémon Red?
It's a live experiment where an AI decision model called Jev plays through Pokémon Red in its entirety, streamed live on YouTube.
How can I watch?
You can watch the live stream directly on YouTube via the link on the site, or use the embedded 'Jev Boy' live feed on the homepage, which starts muted and can be unmuted for game audio.
Is the code available?
Yes. The project is open source — the source code is available on GitHub via the 'Read the Code' link.
Does the site include the Pokémon Red game files?
No. The project explicitly states that no ROM is included.
What does the live feed show?
The right panel of the live feed shows every decision Jev makes along with the odds the model assigns, so you can follow its decision-making in real time.
Who made this?
The project was made by Christian Mathiesen at Frigade, and the page notes it is not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company.
