Breaking the 15-Year Mold: What Pokémon Creators Have in Store for Fans

Today’s Pokémon Presents was interesting for what was missing. While fans welcomed news about Legends: Z-A, there was no mention of Pokémon’s next main game. Given the pattern of the past 15 years, we usually learn about a new core Pokémon title at this time. But today, there was silence.

Back on February 27, 2022, during the Pokémon Day special video, we were surprised with the reveal of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This introduced the three starter Pokémon and kicked off months of reveals for the 120 new creatures joining the Pokédex. But was it really a surprise? New mainline games generally come out every three years.

Since 2010, this three-year cycle has been clear. We had Black and White in 2010, followed by X and Y in 2013, then Sun and Moon in 2016, continuing with Sword and Shield in 2019, and Scarlet and Violet in 2022. That’s five games in a row, each spaced out by three years. Traditionally, only the Diamond and Pearl games in 2006 and Black and White in 2010 had longer gaps, which makes today’s silence strange.

The Three-Year Pattern

It seemed like Game Freak needed to keep releasing games every three years. This led to Scarlet and Violet being less polished than they could have been. Missing a release date affects a huge industry built around these games.

Take the Pokémon TCG, for example. Every three years, a new card era launches, linked to the latest game. Cards often need production started long before a game’s release. For instance, Japan’s first set of Scarlet & Violet cards came out just two months after the game, meaning everything had to be planned well in advance. A delay in the game would cause issues for card and merchandise releases.

Shifting to a four-year cycle would change a lot. Everyone in the Pokémon Company must plan for years ahead. With the technical issues seen in Scarlet and Violet, decisions might have been made to take their time with the next game. This could mean producing a more refined game or developing it specifically for the next console.

Future Implications

The PTCG might have to adapt to fill gaps. Currently, it looks like the SV cards are nearing their end, and new sets will need to keep players engaged. The upcoming year will be crucial for Pokémon cards and merchandise, especially as we await news about Generation IX.

It’s definitely strange that no discussions are happening about new games. Maybe we’ll see an announcement soon. Who knows? But for now, it feels quiet, and many fans seem to be waiting too.

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