An enormous leak of knowledge from Pokémon developer Recreation Freak, broadly distributed on-line as the results of a hack of the corporate, has revealed new particulars in regards to the previous and way forward for franchise video games, animated sequence, and live-action initiatives. That features unconfirmed intel in regards to the subsequent technology of Pokémon — aka Gen 10 — and a brand new Pokémon recreation reportedly codenamed Gaia.
Few particulars in regards to the subsequent mainline Pokémon recreation have been leaked as a part of the hack. We don’t know the place the following entry will probably be set, which Pokémon are confirmed to look, or what new mechanics may be launched.
However the next-gen Pokémon recreation could have at the least one twist: It’s supposedly a cross-generation recreation, and can reportedly be accessible for each the unique Nintendo Change and its still-unannounced successor, the “Change 2.”
A cross-gen launch, whereas actually not new for Pokémon writer Nintendo, could be one thing of a rarity for the monster-collecting RPG sequence. Pokémon video games are often designed for particular generations of Nintendo {hardware}, although backward compatibility throughout generations of Nintendo handhelds and consoles means they’re playable on a number of programs. The Pokémon Firm and Nintendo could also be taking a considerably completely different method this time, capitalizing on the large Change consumer base whereas giving Change 2 homeowners a brand new Pokémon recreation to take pleasure in, fairly than ready for a recreation goal constructed for Nintendo’s next-gen system.
Gaia could deal with the problem of delivering a brand new Pokémon recreation for a built-in viewers and catering to early adopters of the Change 2, and might also deal with a standard criticism levied in opposition to developer Recreation Freak’s present Change recreation: their poor efficiency. The Change 2 is reportedly extra highly effective than the present, seven-year-old Change, and Gaia would conceivably carry out higher on new {hardware}. An improve in visuals would definitely be a compelling cause to improve to Change 2.
Whereas Nintendo and The Pokémon Firm haven’t confirmed any particulars concerning the Recreation Freak hack, outdoors of sure worker info being uncovered, one dependable Nintendo leaker seems to have corroborated the leak a couple of cross-gen Pokémon Gen 10. Polygon has reached out to The Pokémon Firm for remark and can replace when the corporate responds.