Throughout its storied history, The Pokémon Company has maintained a fairly consistent release schedule for its games. But in recent years, questions regarding the quality of these releases have started to emerge, with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet bearing the brunt of these concerns.
ComicBook.com was at this year’s Pokémon World Championships, held in Yokohama, and got a chance to sit down for an interview with Takato Utsunomiya, The Pokémon Company’s chief operating officer, who addressed these issues head-on.
While the discussion didn’t delve into the specifics of individual games or the accompanying anime, it did provide some insights into the company’s future strategies. In an era where game development is more complex than ever, and the expectations are sky-high, how will the Pokémon franchise ensure its releases retain the magic of yesteryears?
Utsunomiya acknowledged the regular release schedule of Pokémon game releases. Historically, the company has been launching new products and experiences for their audience, almost in a ritualistic manner. Yet, as development cycles evolve, so do the challenges associated with maintaining this pace, especially if the goal is to consistently introduce high-quality products.
A glance at the past reveals how this model has worked for the company for decades. Since its inception in 1996, Game Freak, the powerhouse behind the main Pokémon games, has been on a near-annual release cycle. Only seven years in the past twenty-seven have been devoid of a main series game launch. However, recent developments like the launch of DLCs for Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mark a shift from the traditional full game releases.
Unfortunately, this strategy wasn’t without its pitfalls. The Scarlet & Violet series, despite its commercial success, was a bug-filled affair at launch. These issues didn’t go unnoticed, with fans, journalists, and gamers voicing their displeasure across platforms like YouTube and social media.
But it’s crucial to understand the broader context in which these games exist. Everything stemming from the Pokémon brand is, at its core, a vehicle to boost merchandise sales. While this might sound cynical, it doesn’t imply that creativity and quality are afterthoughts. On the contrary, the recent Pokémon games have showcased some of the most memorable human character designs in the franchise’s history.
The overarching challenge, however, is to reconcile the push for merchandise with impeccable game design. The subpar visuals and designs of recent releases have, to a degree, dimmed the shine of the franchise. The transition from the 3DS to the Nintendo Switch only exacerbated these issues, revealing gaps in in-house technology and personnel skills.
So, where does The Pokémon Company go from here?
Utsunomiya doesn’t hint at a reduced pace of product launches. Rather, the conversation revolves around finding a way to refine the process in the face of changing development conditions. It’s possible the company will partner with other studios and outsource work, with teams like the one behind Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl possibly working on a project or two. External collaborations with major Japanese third-party companies might be on the horizon as well. Given the vast Pokémon ecosystem, the possibilities are boundless.
Ultimately, The Pokémon Company finds itself at a vital crossroads. As the franchise treads this path, it will be essential to strike a balance between consistent releases and the cherished quality that millions have come to expect from the world of Pokémon.
Only time will tell how this journey unfolds, but one thing’s for sure – the Pokémon universe is bound to keep evolving.
If nothing else, only Activision Blizzard with Call of Duty remains the stalwart champions of annual releases. Many other franchises, such as Ubisoft with Assassin’s Creed, have moved on from this burnout-inducing cycle.
