A large leak of information 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 era of Pokémon — aka Gen 10 — and a brand new Pokémon sport reportedly codenamed Gaia.
Few particulars in regards to the subsequent mainline Pokémon sport have been leaked as a part of the hack. We don’t know the place the following entry can be set, which Pokémon are confirmed to look, or what new mechanics is perhaps launched.
However the next-gen Pokémon sport could have at the least one twist: It’s supposedly a cross-generation sport, and can reportedly be accessible for each the unique Nintendo Swap and its still-unannounced successor, the “Swap 2.”
A cross-gen launch, whereas actually not new for Pokémon writer Nintendo, can 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 techniques. The Pokémon Firm and Nintendo could also be taking a considerably completely different method this time, capitalizing on the huge Swap person base whereas giving Swap 2 house owners a brand new Pokémon sport to take pleasure in, slightly than ready for a sport objective constructed for Nintendo’s next-gen system.
Gaia could tackle the difficulty of delivering a brand new Pokémon sport for a built-in viewers and catering to early adopters of the Swap 2, and may additionally tackle a typical criticism levied in opposition to developer Recreation Freak’s present Swap sport: their poor efficiency. The Swap 2 is reportedly extra highly effective than the present, seven-year-old Swap, and Gaia would conceivably carry out higher on new {hardware}. An improve in visuals will surely be a compelling purpose to improve to Swap 2.
Whereas Nintendo and The Pokémon Firm haven’t confirmed any particulars concerning the Recreation Freak hack, exterior of sure worker data 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.