From the 4Gamer end-year messages. Via Gematsu.
Tetsuya Watanabe is one of the senior programmers of Game Freak, typically the lead programmer of Pokémon games, but also the producer of 2013's HarmoKnight. The game he's talking about is not necessarily Pocket Monsters-related, but here are a few things to consider:
With those facts on the table one has to wonder what Game Freak is up to. On one hand, utilising 2015 to build up hype for the 20th Anniversary, a potential Generation VII and/or an evolution to the series would make sense -- amiibo also introduced in the context of these three events. On the other hand, waiting for 2016 to introduce amiibo is not necessarily a great idea, due to 3DS wrapping it up as a platform.
Logistically speaking, Game Freak is a relatively small team, so, it's also not clear if they could pull off a new-Gen introduction in 2015. Maybe early 2016? There is also the possibility of Watanabe talking about a non-Pokémon game.
Update:
Tetsuya Watanabe (Game Freak)
Known for: Pokemon series
“We’re doing a lot of different things with respect to our next project, so right now we’re focusing on getting ready to announce it. We sincerely hope from the bottom of our hearts that it’ll be worth checking out once we get to that point.”
Tetsuya Watanabe is one of the senior programmers of Game Freak, typically the lead programmer of Pokémon games, but also the producer of 2013's HarmoKnight. The game he's talking about is not necessarily Pocket Monsters-related, but here are a few things to consider:
- There is unfinished business in terms of lore in XY, especially when it comes to Zygarde.
- Interestingly though, Movie 2015 does not seem to feature Zygarde so far (favouring Groudon, Kyogre and Shiny Rayquaza instead).
- XY have not been updated with the latest content (introduced in ORAS).
- While Masuda has not dismissed the idea of a third version or sequel, he has mentioned that he wants to surprise players, suggesting repetition of previous business models is not entirely desired.
- ORAS is liberal with Battle Frontier hints, and (once again) there is some unfinished business in terms of story.
- Masuda didn't encourage the theory of Battle Frontier reappearing, although it could be considered vague PR.
- The series have become more or less yearly in the last few years (internationally since 2009). Competition (read Yo-Kai Watch) is also yearly.
- New 3DS is out in Japan and Oceania, coming out in Europe and North America in 2015. amiibo a big part of Nintendo's strategy.
- Masuda has expressed interest in keeping a streamlined experience between games of the same generation -- ORAS didn't support n3DS because of that.
- Pokémon's 20th Anniversary is in 2016.
With those facts on the table one has to wonder what Game Freak is up to. On one hand, utilising 2015 to build up hype for the 20th Anniversary, a potential Generation VII and/or an evolution to the series would make sense -- amiibo also introduced in the context of these three events. On the other hand, waiting for 2016 to introduce amiibo is not necessarily a great idea, due to 3DS wrapping it up as a platform.
Logistically speaking, Game Freak is a relatively small team, so, it's also not clear if they could pull off a new-Gen introduction in 2015. Maybe early 2016? There is also the possibility of Watanabe talking about a non-Pokémon game.
Update:
A little update from the man himself. Via Pokémon Memo.
I don't have an exact translation, but Masuda seems to be saying that game development needs to be accelerated and releasing a new game every three years is not necessarily the correct approach these days. I assume he talks about new-Generation games, as Pokémon's pace is currently approximately 15 months per SKU. He also says something about doing the best thing possible with every year's release and meeting certain quality standards.
I made a Translation yesterday based on the German Version, so here you go!
Luckily, we at GAME FREAK are blessed with great workers. Because of that i don't have to worry when i'm concentrating on new Games like Pokemon X and Pokemon Y and Sequels are being handled by other Project Managers. In Case of Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 it was Takao Unno, and this Time Mr. Ohmori took the Wheel. When i give a Game in the Hands of another Project Manager, i need to be convinced that their Vision is the right one for the Game. The responsibillity will be entirely on him, but at the same Time he recives full creative Freedom. Naturally we hope that all Team-Members will support this Project Manager and give their best, thus at the End a Game of high Quality can be released. Releasing multiple Games over a short Time Period is always a Race against the Time. The more Time you'll invest, the better the Game will be. However, there are multiple Factors that prevent us from doing this. If we would always take three years of Time to develop a Game, we wouldn't be able to keep up with with the fast moving nature of the modern World. When we think about when to release a Game, we ask ourselfs when the demand for it from our audience will be the highest. But if we have one year of development Time, it'll becomes easier to look at the current Framework and to decide what needs to be improved, and what can stay in it's current condition. Thus, we have to do everything to achieve the best possible Result in the stated Timeframe