The Pokémon Company is broadening its horizons with a new addition to its family of companies. Earlier this week, news surfaced that The Pokémon Company has decided to register a new trademark, Pokémon Works. Pokémon Works, a fresh-off-the-boat subsidiary, is based in Japan but its specific function remains unclear. The subsidiary’s headquarters are conveniently located in the same building in Shinjuku, Tokyo, where ILCA, the company known for helping develop Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, is situated. While further information about their operations is anticipated, experts believe that Pokémon Works might be a significant player in the ongoing development of the Pokémon franchise.
The Connection with ILCA
Since Pokémon Works headquarters are situated in the same location as ILCA, many speculations indicate a potential collaboration between the two. It’s good to remember that ILCA was notably involved in the development of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, along with Game Freak. Some fans suspect Pokémon Works might be instrumental in developing spinoff games or remakes in a similar vein. It could also contribute to relieving load off of Game Freak, which currently releases new Pokémon games nearly every year.
Increasing Scrutiny on Game Release Patterns
The Pokémon Company has recently been in the limelight for its aggressive game release strategy. Some fans have expressed concerns that the quality of recent games has suffered as a result. For example, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the company’s recent major releases, faced negative criticism due to multiple technical glitches. Many critics attributed these flaws to Game Freak’s inability to produce a vast, ambitious open-world game within its usual development cycle.
The Role of Other Game Developers
It’s important to note that while Game Freak is responsible for developing core Pokémon games, it is inherently supported by other game developers and arms. One prominent example is Creatures Inc., which co-owns The Pokémon Company and is tasked with creating the 3D designs for Pokémon. The addition of Pokémon Works to the fold is expected to further strengthen this support system.
Looking Forward to Pokémon Legends: Z-A
The next notch in the Pokémon franchise belt is Pokémon Legends: Z-A. This new installment is a part of the Pokémon Legends series. Details about the game are still thin on the ground. However, it’s known that the game will be set in the Kalos region, which was featured in Pokémon X and Y. The game will also reintroduce the popular Mega Evolution feature, which has been missing since Pokémon: Let’s Go.
Wrapping Up
As The Pokémon Company continues to grow, expand, and challenge the boundaries of game development, it’s clear that the fan-favorite world of Pokémon isn’t going anywhere soon. While we wait for more details on Pokémon Works and the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, why not relive the adventures of your favorite Pokémon? Head over to HitPlay and enjoy playing your favorite Pokémon games of the past!
