The Pokémon Company Having ‘Conversations’ About Its ‘Constant’ Release Schedule – IGN
The Pokémon Company Having ‘Conversations’ About Its ‘Constant’ Release Schedule – IGN
by schuey_08
43 Comments
slapplants
We botched it and it’s in terrible shape, but millions of people still buy it, so why does it matter?
The annual Madden and CoD mantra.
Heres_Your_Supper
Should have happened 10 years ago let’s be honest
maidmademaive
Look at the release history for Activision (not Blizzard side of the house) and the amount of studios they own, how many employees at each and how pretty much all of them are Call of Duty support studios now. Then also all the contractors that I wouldn’t be surprised to match or outnumber Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer. Graphical expectations are going to keep rising every gen. I’m not even going to heavily hope that the open world is ever fleshed out well
MamaDeloris
Here’s the conversation:
“We’re making money hand over fist no matter what we release, should we slow down and make the games good?”
“…….No.”
Its2EZBaby
Yeah right lol. If they make a fuck ton of money despite the garbage they’ve been shoveling, they’re never going to change. The only thing we’ve told them is that we’ll gladly pay for whatever they provide
Glimothy
All I want is a re-release of red/blue.
Holy moly sorry guys. Was talking bout the drip
feed on gb/gba.
undergrounddirt
I will say that from time to time humans impress with a desire to create something truly amazing. To be apart of that is a special thing. Money is everything in this world. But sometimes the human spirit wins out. I hope one day they do a breath of the wild style Pokémon game. Total rethink. 6+ years of work. Passion and art.
Broshida
“Constant” release isn’t the only problem though. GameFreak haven’t been creating good games for a while now, it’d be healthier for the Pokemon IP to have multiple developers.
All I want is another Lets Go. Haven’t enjoyed Legends Arceus or Scarlet/Violet. Sword/Shield were rough with some seriously awful DLC. With the exception of Lets Go I haven’t really enjoyed my time with a Pokemon game in a decade.
Edit: This is, apparently, a controversial opinion.
boityboy
Man, IGN really didn’t hit any of the performance issues that people actually care about.
saul2015
“people keep buying our shit no matter how sloppily we put it together, maybe we should release more frequently and make more money?”
SGx49
Bring back the damnn battle frontier from Emerald and a difficulty setting for the main game.
Quality and content fell off a cliff after B2/W2
I anticipate the kids to downvote on what they do not understand.
Glasdir
Is the conversation “how can we make these even cheaper and quicker to produce so we can sell even more?” By any chance.
Glasdir
The series shouldn’t have made the transition to 3D. They could put the 2D games out quicker because they didn’t require skills that Gamefreak don’t have. Gamefreak still can’t even do cutscenes or voice acting properly, there’s so many hangovers from the 2D games like basic hopping animations when characters are supposed to be doing something because Gamefreak don’t have the skill or time to put that sort of basic level of work in. They simply don’t know how to make 3D games.
They could put more into them as well, the 2D games were gradually getting more ambitious with both the graphics style and the volume and variety of content and the transition to 3D killed that. Now they’re all the same ugly 3D models and animations, reused over and over and there’s less and less content with each game.
ModerateRockMusic
Fun fact. Theyre still using release schedules from the 3ds era. For home console games.
Funky-Cosmonaut
The headline is slightly misleading.
They’re having conversations about improving quality, while maintaining it’s constant release schedule.
RosePhox
Considering how they’re only in it for the money, and not at all for the art, I’d say the public is the one needing reassessing of their priorities.
Paying $60 for garbage is embarrassing. Even CoD is able to make overall better products.
DoombotBL
Not touching another game until I see some changes.
wookiewin
They should really take some time and create something really special for the Switch 2. Get Legends Kyurem or B/W remakes released next year or whatever, and then don’t release Gen 10 until 2025 at the earliest, when the Switch 2 will probably be out for a year already.
bisforbenis
I’ve said it a million times, people blame the development team (writers, artists, programmers, etc) for Pokémon, but honestly I think they’re doing the best they can with what they’re given, the problem to me clearly lies in how little time they’re given to make the games. Pokémon games are rather ambitious in scope for a game that gets pumped out once a year, and the quality suffers for it
Honestly, the biggest problem with Pokémon is clearly that the games are rushed, I don’t think we can realistically expect any better with the crazy fast release schedule they have, and I think hearing them considering slowing the release schedule is the best news we could have about the franchise quality.
I’m someone who wants to get into Pokémon and loved it when I was younger, but finds the low quality unappealing, but I’d absolutely jump back in if they looked good, I really do crave a higher quality Pokémon experience, so I really hope they do follow through on this, and not like a “we’ll slow the release schedule by 5%” but more of a “we’ll slow it down by half to ensure quality”
UltiGamer34
Please consider that millions purchase your games because we expect a quality game you stoped that after gen 7
ExoticDumpsterFire
The most recent Pokémon game I’ve played is emerald. Any recommendations if I want to get into it again? Should I go straight to Scarlet or is there a better one in between
odiin1731
Nothing will fundamentally change as long as they keep being rewarded for it.
QuinSanguine
Apparently sales have dipped a lot in the last quarter and I bet the playerbase is very small for this time in the cycle, I mean there’s no way they’re doing this just because the Internet hates the current games.
politirob
And literally they need to stop introducing new Pokemon. It’s dumb and cheap.
I’d rather that they focus instead on creating new STORIES and gameplay mechanics with the existing Pokemon.
ElectrosMilkshake
These games are begging for voice acting. Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet both have parts that involve music/singing and it’s so jarring to see these goofy lyrics accompanied by the characters open-mouthed like a blowup doll with no sound coming out.
GoodMorningMars
Yeah ya’ll honestly gotta take a step back, make a good game for once. For such an incredible franchise, they’ve steadily gone downhill every release. A goddamn shame. How about a game where the Pokemon chooses you at the end.
-M_A_Y_0-
Here’s what you do. 2024 just have spin offs. First half we get a new mystery dungeon (probably a skys remake) and the second half we get a new stadium game. Then In 2025 we get legends kyrume and in 2026 we get either a new gen or another let’s go thing.
Or have 2024 be the year of rerelease
Have RBY in q1 GSC in q2 and then RSE in q3. In Q4 we would get the switch 2 which will launch with legends kyruem as an launch title.
Simon_787
The conversations probably are about whether or not this is worth rushing out games to maximize releases.
This shit wouldn’t work if people didn’t buy the games, but a lot of people complain and buy them anyway.
ScamJustice
They need to spend several years developing a fleshed out open world pokemon game
Moggy_
Please, you’re one of the most lucrative franchises on the planet, just hire more people and work as two groups developing in cycles. If there’s ever a Pokémon game with half the content of BG3 we would be blessed.
ShingetsuMoon
I think that’s the most admission we’ll get. Even a series like Pokemon has to be getting longer and more intensive to make. At the very least it shows they are aware of the fan complaints regarding quality and the desire for less frequent game releases and are discussing it. Even if nothing comes of it.
Are they serious conversations or just PR speak to appease the masses?
Hopefully it is serious, because Pokémon games are trash games that lack any creative vision.
Mr_PearHead
They should get someone other than game freak to develop their pokemon games like Monolith Soft, I know they got the money.
Soupysoldier
Pokémon fans will buy a shitty game, call it shit, and then be excited for the next release
TheShweeb
Like how a politician responds to their constituents’ demands by forming a committee to discuss options for possibilities of creating a working group to fulfill the request…
superyoshiom
At some point you’ve gotta have so much money that there’s nothing to lose my just putting time and love into a game, right? Like why not just throw fans a bone for one generation
bchancellor97
Between Scarlett/ Violet, Sword/ Shield, Diamond/Pearl remakes, Let’s Go, and Pokémon Arceus mainline Pokémon has sales figures totaling ~90 mil, however for the first time have fallen behind legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and smash bros on an individual basis.
I think it’s pretty safe to assume if the switch just got one new generation, and one quality spinoff/ remake they could have gotten very close to that 90mil still
Micotyro
I really hope something comes of it. It’s really ok if they take their time.
I do understand their concern, but I feel like that a break/more time is just what they need
ScootSchloingo
Why hasn’t Game Freak even considered using a non-proprietary engine like Unreal? Nintendo used UE4 for Pikmin 4 and it’s the best looking game on the Switch.
Guus2Kill
I keep saying it but the Pokémon community should really stand up and complain or something. The last few games that were released looked like absolute garbage and or were filled with bugs. I know the switch isnt exactly a steam deck or something but its no excuse to make these games look that bad.
But no, the community just keeps buying these games as if there is nothing wrong with them.
SirRabbott
I mean, I have Pokémon tattooed on me, and scarlet/violet finally made me say that I will no longer blindly buy a Pokémon game. I’m sure it’s this way for a lot of people. Nobody wants to pay full price for a buggy game when you can play things like Zelda or metroid for the same price. It’s very obviously not the fault of the system, it’s the lack of giving a shit.
Regirex
they’re at a point where they can’t fail. bad pokemon games sell. they’ve never had ambition to make great games, why should they start now? doing the bare minimum has worked in the past, and it’s gonna work in the future
43 Comments
We botched it and it’s in terrible shape, but millions of people still buy it, so why does it matter?
The annual Madden and CoD mantra.
Should have happened 10 years ago let’s be honest
Look at the release history for Activision (not Blizzard side of the house) and the amount of studios they own, how many employees at each and how pretty much all of them are Call of Duty support studios now. Then also all the contractors that I wouldn’t be surprised to match or outnumber Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer. Graphical expectations are going to keep rising every gen. I’m not even going to heavily hope that the open world is ever fleshed out well
Here’s the conversation:
“We’re making money hand over fist no matter what we release, should we slow down and make the games good?”
“…….No.”
Yeah right lol. If they make a fuck ton of money despite the garbage they’ve been shoveling, they’re never going to change. The only thing we’ve told them is that we’ll gladly pay for whatever they provide
All I want is a re-release of red/blue.
Holy moly sorry guys. Was talking bout the drip
feed on gb/gba.
I will say that from time to time humans impress with a desire to create something truly amazing. To be apart of that is a special thing. Money is everything in this world. But sometimes the human spirit wins out. I hope one day they do a breath of the wild style Pokémon game. Total rethink. 6+ years of work. Passion and art.
“Constant” release isn’t the only problem though. GameFreak haven’t been creating good games for a while now, it’d be healthier for the Pokemon IP to have multiple developers.
All I want is another Lets Go. Haven’t enjoyed Legends Arceus or Scarlet/Violet. Sword/Shield were rough with some seriously awful DLC. With the exception of Lets Go I haven’t really enjoyed my time with a Pokemon game in a decade.
Edit: This is, apparently, a controversial opinion.
Man, IGN really didn’t hit any of the performance issues that people actually care about.
“people keep buying our shit no matter how sloppily we put it together, maybe we should release more frequently and make more money?”
Bring back the damnn battle frontier from Emerald and a difficulty setting for the main game.
Quality and content fell off a cliff after B2/W2
I anticipate the kids to downvote on what they do not understand.
Is the conversation “how can we make these even cheaper and quicker to produce so we can sell even more?” By any chance.
The series shouldn’t have made the transition to 3D. They could put the 2D games out quicker because they didn’t require skills that Gamefreak don’t have. Gamefreak still can’t even do cutscenes or voice acting properly, there’s so many hangovers from the 2D games like basic hopping animations when characters are supposed to be doing something because Gamefreak don’t have the skill or time to put that sort of basic level of work in. They simply don’t know how to make 3D games.
They could put more into them as well, the 2D games were gradually getting more ambitious with both the graphics style and the volume and variety of content and the transition to 3D killed that. Now they’re all the same ugly 3D models and animations, reused over and over and there’s less and less content with each game.
Fun fact. Theyre still using release schedules from the 3ds era. For home console games.
The headline is slightly misleading.
They’re having conversations about improving quality, while maintaining it’s constant release schedule.
Considering how they’re only in it for the money, and not at all for the art, I’d say the public is the one needing reassessing of their priorities.
Paying $60 for garbage is embarrassing. Even CoD is able to make overall better products.
Not touching another game until I see some changes.
They should really take some time and create something really special for the Switch 2. Get Legends Kyurem or B/W remakes released next year or whatever, and then don’t release Gen 10 until 2025 at the earliest, when the Switch 2 will probably be out for a year already.
I’ve said it a million times, people blame the development team (writers, artists, programmers, etc) for Pokémon, but honestly I think they’re doing the best they can with what they’re given, the problem to me clearly lies in how little time they’re given to make the games. Pokémon games are rather ambitious in scope for a game that gets pumped out once a year, and the quality suffers for it
Honestly, the biggest problem with Pokémon is clearly that the games are rushed, I don’t think we can realistically expect any better with the crazy fast release schedule they have, and I think hearing them considering slowing the release schedule is the best news we could have about the franchise quality.
I’m someone who wants to get into Pokémon and loved it when I was younger, but finds the low quality unappealing, but I’d absolutely jump back in if they looked good, I really do crave a higher quality Pokémon experience, so I really hope they do follow through on this, and not like a “we’ll slow the release schedule by 5%” but more of a “we’ll slow it down by half to ensure quality”
Please consider that millions purchase your games because we expect a quality game you stoped that after gen 7
The most recent Pokémon game I’ve played is emerald. Any recommendations if I want to get into it again? Should I go straight to Scarlet or is there a better one in between
Nothing will fundamentally change as long as they keep being rewarded for it.
Apparently sales have dipped a lot in the last quarter and I bet the playerbase is very small for this time in the cycle, I mean there’s no way they’re doing this just because the Internet hates the current games.
And literally they need to stop introducing new Pokemon. It’s dumb and cheap.
I’d rather that they focus instead on creating new STORIES and gameplay mechanics with the existing Pokemon.
These games are begging for voice acting. Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet both have parts that involve music/singing and it’s so jarring to see these goofy lyrics accompanied by the characters open-mouthed like a blowup doll with no sound coming out.
Yeah ya’ll honestly gotta take a step back, make a good game for once. For such an incredible franchise, they’ve steadily gone downhill every release. A goddamn shame. How about a game where the Pokemon chooses you at the end.
Here’s what you do. 2024 just have spin offs. First half we get a new mystery dungeon (probably a skys remake) and the second half we get a new stadium game. Then In 2025 we get legends kyrume and in 2026 we get either a new gen or another let’s go thing.
Or have 2024 be the year of rerelease
Have RBY in q1 GSC in q2 and then RSE in q3. In Q4 we would get the switch 2 which will launch with legends kyruem as an launch title.
The conversations probably are about whether or not this is worth rushing out games to maximize releases.
This shit wouldn’t work if people didn’t buy the games, but a lot of people complain and buy them anyway.
They need to spend several years developing a fleshed out open world pokemon game
Please, you’re one of the most lucrative franchises on the planet, just hire more people and work as two groups developing in cycles. If there’s ever a Pokémon game with half the content of BG3 we would be blessed.
I think that’s the most admission we’ll get. Even a series like Pokemon has to be getting longer and more intensive to make. At the very least it shows they are aware of the fan complaints regarding quality and the desire for less frequent game releases and are discussing it. Even if nothing comes of it.
lol
lmao even
this is a bunch of PR blah blah
Pokemon will never slow down, [when S&V sold 20 million copies in](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/02/pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-surpasses-20-million-units-sold-in-just-six-weeks) 6 weeks in the sorry state it was in.
[Compare that to TOTK’s 18.5 million copies.](https://gamingintel.com/zelda-totk-total-sales/)
I would ***love*** to enjoy playing Pokémon again, shoot, I *begged* my parents for a GBA to play sapphire almost 2 decades ago, but unless something actually happens to those billions in sales, the games are gonna keep flowing.
Are they serious conversations or just PR speak to appease the masses?
Hopefully it is serious, because Pokémon games are trash games that lack any creative vision.
They should get someone other than game freak to develop their pokemon games like Monolith Soft, I know they got the money.
Pokémon fans will buy a shitty game, call it shit, and then be excited for the next release
Like how a politician responds to their constituents’ demands by forming a committee to discuss options for possibilities of creating a working group to fulfill the request…
At some point you’ve gotta have so much money that there’s nothing to lose my just putting time and love into a game, right? Like why not just throw fans a bone for one generation
Between Scarlett/ Violet, Sword/ Shield, Diamond/Pearl remakes, Let’s Go, and Pokémon Arceus mainline Pokémon has sales figures totaling ~90 mil, however for the first time have fallen behind legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and smash bros on an individual basis.
I think it’s pretty safe to assume if the switch just got one new generation, and one quality spinoff/ remake they could have gotten very close to that 90mil still
I really hope something comes of it. It’s really ok if they take their time.
I do understand their concern, but I feel like that a break/more time is just what they need
Why hasn’t Game Freak even considered using a non-proprietary engine like Unreal? Nintendo used UE4 for Pikmin 4 and it’s the best looking game on the Switch.
I keep saying it but the Pokémon community should really stand up and complain or something. The last few games that were released looked like absolute garbage and or were filled with bugs. I know the switch isnt exactly a steam deck or something but its no excuse to make these games look that bad.
But no, the community just keeps buying these games as if there is nothing wrong with them.
I mean, I have Pokémon tattooed on me, and scarlet/violet finally made me say that I will no longer blindly buy a Pokémon game. I’m sure it’s this way for a lot of people. Nobody wants to pay full price for a buggy game when you can play things like Zelda or metroid for the same price. It’s very obviously not the fault of the system, it’s the lack of giving a shit.
they’re at a point where they can’t fail. bad pokemon games sell. they’ve never had ambition to make great games, why should they start now? doing the bare minimum has worked in the past, and it’s gonna work in the future