Summary
A new interview from The Pokemon Company suggestsPokemonmay be considering making adjustments to its release schedule, following fan backlash towards recent releases. The monster-catching franchise’s meteoric rise to one of gaming’s most iconic series has come with an expedited timeline for the games, especially over the past few years. 2022 saw the release of two high-profile games within the same calendar year withPokemon Legends: Arceuslaunching in January andPokemon Scarlet and Violetin November. Now, the publisher could be considering changes for its future releases.
The deluge of newPokemongames has seen several recent entries subject to greater criticism from the franchise’s passionate fans. BothPokemon Sword and ShieldandPokemon Scarlet and Violetsaw negative feedback from fans with many feeling the accelerated release schedule for the games may be hindering their quality.Scarlet and Violetsaw heavy fan backlash due to performance issues with the games' launch with many reporting frame rate issues, a poor online experience, and other issues. Now, The Pokemon Company could be takingScarlet and Violet’s troubled launch to heart.
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During a recent interview with ComicBook, The Pokemon Company COO’s Takato Utsunomiya discussed the heightened release schedule and changes the publisher is considering internally. Utsunomiya discussedThe Pokemon Company’s typical steady release schedulewith the company regularly releasing new products “on a fixed cadence” throughout the years. The executive would reveal the publisher is seeing increased conversations about how it can continue with its typical pace, while “ensuring quality products are being introduced.” Utsunomiya would not directly confirm any release schedule shifts within the interview.
A change toPokemon’s typical release cycle would likely be a welcome shift from many fans who have been critical of the quality of the franchise’s newest games. Recent years have not only seen two new generations launch for the franchise, but alsomajor spinoffs includingPokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearland the previously mentionedLegends: Arceus. The Pokemon Company has also increasingly partnered with other developers for spinoffs likePokemon UniteandPokemon Sleep.
WhilePokemonwould not directly confirm any changes to its release schedule, the franchise has already set itself up for a busy schedule in the coming months.The Teal Mask, the first half ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet’sHidden Treasure of Area ZeroDLC, is set to launch next month withThe Indigo Diskplanned for next year. Rumors have also swirled aboutpotentialPokemon Black and Whiteremakesin recent months, expected to be revealed in the near future. A change inPokemon’s release schedule could prove beneficial not only for the developers, but fans of the franchise as well.
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