Generation VI: The Future

[Arceus the Dragon]

I thought of something so ridiculous that feels just like good old Hoenn Confirmed era. Sugimori recently admitted that Mega Flygon doesn't exist (yet?) because of artist's block. And what we have in Emerald's Battle Frontier? Sudowoodo blocking path to Artisan Cave, where Smeargle live, a literal artist's block. Mega Flygon confurmed with Battle Frontier!!!

I thought of something so ridiculous that feels just like good old Hoenn Confirmed era. Sugimori recently admitted that Mega Flygon doesn't exist (yet?) because of artist's block. And what we have in Emerald's Battle Frontier? Sudowoodo blocking path to Artisan Cave, where Smeargle live, a literal artist's block. Mega Flygon confurmed with Battle Frontier!!!

Mega Sudowoodo also confirmed. And Emerald remake confirmed as well. What if its Delta Z with rayquaza and zygarde playing huge roles in Kanto? just saying

Unfortunately, we are not likely to get a remake of Emerald which would have been better than the failed remakes of ORAS. Rayquaza and Zygarde has no place in Kanto, and there won't be a Kanto remake period. Mega Flygon is likely to not exist ever and Delta Z isn't likely to be made in the future.

 

[Bolt Strike]

That strategy hasn't really worked and I doubt that the casual consumers (that Iwata wants to bring back) are interested in stereoscopic 3D. But regardless of which feature is going to be the focus in 2016, there is no reason why Pokémon couldn't be the poster boy for it.

The casual consumers aren't really interested in the 3DS period, the 3DS has practically reached the limit of people that are interested in the console. I don't think there's really anything Iwata can do to generate interest in the 3DS aside from just releasing a lot of games.

Iwata is referring to a turning point, rather than more of the same. Kalos games wouldn't even be as successful as ORAS judging from B2W2.

It's not like 7th gen is going to do much either. The only way they can really increase sales at this point is to release new hardware that appeals to a larger audience than the 3DS, nothing else will prevent the decline in sales and prolonging that jump with a stopgap is going to do more harm than good.

It's a bit ridiculous to say that half a year makes such a difference. A second 3DS-based generation shouldn't require as much development as XY did. As for the transition to the NX, a larger staff could account for that (and it's high time that an expansion happened).

I'm speaking within the fans' mindset, not the developers'. 2.5 years isn't enough time for a generation to run its course and get used to it.

Failing that, I wouldn't put it past Game Freak to wait until early 2019, considering that even RS and DP were released nearly two years after the debut of their respective systems.

As did XY, but after the 3DS suffered from a lack of games early on in its life cycle, Nintendo is looking to avoid this situation this time around.

As for the Zygarde forms, giving them spotlight in a spin-off and the next generation wouldn't feel like an afterthought at all. I don't see how it would be underwhelming compared to the Delta Episode; it would simply defy expectations, which Masuda has already hinted at.[/QUOTE]

And Rayquaza's situation is different because he's already been a mascot in 3rd gen and no one is expecting a third version of a remake because they're usually worked into the pair of remakes. Zygarde hasn't had any kind of spotlight yet, so if he were simply worked into a spinoff or DLC it would come off as Game Freak ignoring him. This exact point in the series is the prime time for Zygarde to get the spotlight, after this point in the series Game Freak will have other mascots to focus on and won't have the time to give him that. So basically, anything short of a new game with Zygarde as the mascot feels like he's getting snubbed, it's such a waste to go through the trouble of creating a mascot Pokemon and not take full advantage.

 

[shiny_magikarp]

I thought of something so ridiculous that feels just like good old Hoenn Confirmed era. Sugimori recently admitted that Mega Flygon doesn't exist (yet?) because of artist's block. And what we have in Emerald's Battle Frontier? Sudowoodo blocking path to Artisan Cave, where Smeargle live, a literal artist's block. Mega Flygon confurmed with Battle Frontier!!!

Mega Sudowoodo also confirmed. And Emerald remake confirmed as well. What if its Delta Z with rayquaza and zygarde playing huge roles in Kanto? just saying

Unfortunately, we are not likely to get a remake of Emerald which would have been better than the failed remakes of ORAS. Rayquaza and Zygarde has no place in Kanto, and there won't be a Kanto remake period. Mega Flygon is likely to not exist ever and Delta Z isn't likely to be made in the future.

But Battle Frontier itself could return somehow, it doesn't have to be in Emerald remake which is very not likely to happen.

 

[Arceus the Dragon]

I thought of something so ridiculous that feels just like good old Hoenn Confirmed era. Sugimori recently admitted that Mega Flygon doesn't exist (yet?) because of artist's block. And what we have in Emerald's Battle Frontier? Sudowoodo blocking path to Artisan Cave, where Smeargle live, a literal artist's block. Mega Flygon confurmed with Battle Frontier!!!

Mega Sudowoodo also confirmed. And Emerald remake confirmed as well. What if its Delta Z with rayquaza and zygarde playing huge roles in Kanto? just saying

Unfortunately, we are not likely to get a remake of Emerald which would have been better than the failed remakes of ORAS. Rayquaza and Zygarde has no place in Kanto, and there won't be a Kanto remake period. Mega Flygon is likely to not exist ever and Delta Z isn't likely to be made in the future.

But Battle Frontier itself could return somehow, it doesn't have to be in Emerald remake which is very not likely to happen.

Doubt it, there was an interview a while back about how players don't have time for something like the Battle Frontier. We are more likely gonna get stuck with the Battle Maison.

 

[shiny_magikarp]

Doubt it, there was an interview a while back about how players don't have time for something like the Battle Frontier. We are more likely gonna get stuck with the Battle Maison.

Perhaps Game Freak thought that today players wouldn't fully appreciate Battle Frontier if it was included in full game because in their reasoning players don't spend much time on a single game. Maybe because of that they want to wait some time and release it as patch or separate app that would require importing Pokemon from boxes of main game. Or they can always include BF in new game and say they changed their minds because of fans' demand.

 

[Platinum Lucario]

Junichi Masuda wants to use Amiibo in the next Pokémon games without it being part of Generation VI, as from what we've heard. And he has also expressed huge interest in developing for New 3DS. So it's likely that the next Pokémon games will be Generation VII games exclusive to New 3DS.

And why is that? Well, let's take a look at Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, and let's try to make it compatible for Nintendo 3DS. Oh my, look at that... it crashed upon starting! It says "An error has occurred, forcing the software to close. The system will now restart. (Unsaved data may be lost.)". The reason for this is because the game calls for the extra RAM to be used on the New 3DS, so even if we adjusted it to use only two ARM11 cores instead of four, it will still crash upon starting. Now let's see if we can make it use less RAM... alright it boots, but it's really slow and the objects in the distance have disappeared and show a void until the player moves closer and then the graphics start appear.

Now just think, if the Generation VII games were exclusive to the New 3DS, just imagine how much more improvement in the amount of RAM it can use, as well as the cores. It doesn't just have to be a minor improvement to the graphics, there can be several objects added in which use up the extra RAM on the New 3DS. It would give it the feeling of a brand new generation, as well as improving the amount of textures it can use, which also means the amount of times the textures can repeat themselves on materials, rather than being very stretched. And just imagine how much more open-world the games can be without having to use warp points too. Just think, if Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire were exclusive to the New 3DS, the games wouldn't have to use warp points in various locations (such as from Route 118 to Route 119 or Route 123) where the original Ruby and Sapphire didn't have now, would they?

There's just so many things that they could do to take full advantage of the New 3DS hardware. The only reason why the Generation V games stayed on Nintendo DS, is because the games used very little mapping improvements compared to Generation IV and took full advantage of Nintendo DS hardware. The only key feature they introduced in the Generation V games was the rotational movements in which adjust the axis of where the player moves, in which is done on a polygon-by-polygon basis, instead of a square-by-square basis. Let's look at Lumiose City and how it functions very differently from the rotational movement and grid movements. It uses the same functions as what the Animal Crossing games use, in which is very different. Just imagine if the Generation VII games only used the free-roaming movement that is used in Lumiose City, the player would no longer be restricted to being in the center of a square. That would change the whole perspective of the Pokémon games and make it far better, not to also mention using the C stick to move the camera around the player as well as zooming in onto the player.

And remember, the original 3DS has it's limits. It can only use up to about half of what the New 3DS's RAM has. And it can only use two ARM11 Cores compared to four on the New 3DS.

 

[Bolt Strike]

It doesn't just have to be a minor improvement to the graphics, there can be several objects added in which use up the extra RAM on the New 3DS.

Like?

And just imagine how much more open-world the games can be without having to use warp points too. Just think, if Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire were exclusive to the New 3DS, the games wouldn't have to use warp points in various locations (such as from Route 118 to Route 119 or Route 123) where the original Ruby and Sapphire didn't have now, would they?

So we can make level design that we already could in 3rd gen. Big whoop.

And open world? From the developers that insist on making the games as linear as possible for an audience that needs constant handholding and can't handle more than 5 minutes of gameplay? You're joking, right?

 

[WallflowerCanyon]

The complaining about Masuda's comment that was made months ago is getting irritating and a little out of hand. How about we freaking wait until Gen 7 actually comes out before we pass judgment and jump to conclusions?

 

[Silktree]

The casual consumers aren't really interested in the 3DS period, the 3DS has practically reached the limit of people that are interested in the console. I don't think there's really anything Iwata can do to generate interest in the 3DS aside from just releasing a lot of games.

He's been clear about the mobile plan being all about generating interest in their IPs to boost the current systems' sales, so they've realized that there is a problem and are doing something about it. And yes, releasing big titles throughought the remainder of the 3DS' lifetime is necessary. Kalos games would hardly bring any new players as the differences from XY would mostly be appreciated by fans.

It's not like 7th gen is going to do much either. The only way they can really increase sales at this point is to release new hardware that appeals to a larger audience than the 3DS, nothing else will prevent the decline in sales and prolonging that jump with a stopgap is going to do more harm than good.

Nintendo themselves are prolonging that gap. They will only localize the first Yokai Watch game next year, and if it does well, they will still be selling the 3DS sequels in 2017 and 2018. They could have localized the game earlier, but they didn't.

I'm speaking within the fans' mindset, not the developers'. 2.5 years isn't enough time for a generation to run its course and get used to it.

The fans' mindset? Non-Japanese fans should be used to 2.5-year generations as they've happened more often than not (II and V, with I even being shorter). And people are definitely used to Kalos by now.

As did XY, but after the 3DS suffered from a lack of games early on in its life cycle, Nintendo is looking to avoid this situation this time around.

They've only hinted at porting home console games. Again, there are plenty of Wii U games that could be used for the NX's launch, and n3DS-exclusive games would also work in the NX's favor. And there are good games that could be developed in a year, but a new generation isn't one of them.

So basically, anything short of a new game with Zygarde as the mascot feels like he's getting snubbed, it's such a waste to go through the trouble of creating a mascot Pokemon and not take full advantage.

It wouldn't be nearly as big a waste as drawing out this generation for 5 years, or not doing anything with the New 3DS or Amiibo after expressing interest in them.

 

[Bolt Strike]

He's been clear about the mobile plan being all about generating interest in their IPs to boost the current systems' sales, so they've realized that there is a problem and are doing something about it.

Mobile fans aren't exactly going to be clamoring for a 3DS even after being exposed to Nintendo's IPs. They simply don't want dedicated hardware.

And yes, releasing big titles throughought the remainder of the 3DS' lifetime is necessary. Kalos games would hardly bring any new players as the differences from XY would mostly be appreciated by fans.

A new generation isn't going to bring in new players either, the highest sales come from the first main game on the new hardware.

Nintendo themselves are prolonging that gap. They will only localize the first Yokai Watch game next year, and if it does well, they will still be selling the 3DS sequels in 2017 and 2018. They could have localized the game earlier, but they didn't.

Yokai Watch is not the end all be all of their software plans, and I doubt it'll be the cause of an NX delay. I expect the 3DS and Wii U to still be supported a bit even after it launches.

The fans' mindset? Non-Japanese fans should be used to 2.5-year generations as they've happened more often than not (II and V, with I even being shorter). And people are definitely used to Kalos by now.

5th gen was only that short because it was a stopgap, and fans thought it was too soon. 2nd gen was eons ago and since then we've been getting 3 sets of games per gen on average instead of 2, so 2.5 years feels too short now.

They've only hinted at porting home console games. Again, there are plenty of Wii U games that could be used for the NX's launch, and n3DS-exclusive games would also work in the NX's favor. And there are good games that could be developed in a year, but a new generation isn't one of them.

It shouldn't be developed in a year. They should start now.

And there may be other games they could use but absolutely none of them have the brand power Pokemon does.

It wouldn't be nearly as big a waste as drawing out this generation for 5 years, or not doing anything with the New 3DS or Amiibo after expressing interest in them.

There's not much to be done with them in the first place.

 

[Silktree]

Mobile fans aren't exactly going to be clamoring for a 3DS even after being exposed to Nintendo's IPs. They simply don't want dedicated hardware.

You're entitled to that opinion, but it doesn't change the fact that Nintendo are trying to lure them.

A new generation isn't going to bring in new players either, the highest sales come from the first main game on the new hardware.

Between September 2009 and September 2011, DS hardware sales increased from 113.48 million units to 149. Black and White had a lot to do with that and they weren't even DSi-enhanced.

Yokai Watch is not the end all be all of their software plans, and I doubt it'll be the cause of an NX delay.

There is no delay. They've said that they want 2016 to be a boom year for the 3DS.

5th gen was only that short because it was a stopgap, and fans thought it was too soon.

It didn't stop them from being excited about XY. I remember that even those who had preferred to see remakes first no longer cared about their previous expectations.

It shouldn't be developed in a year. They should start now.

You can keep saying that, but there is no evidence that a development kit exists.

And there may be other games they could use but absolutely none of them have the brand power Pokemon does.

Then it's a good thing that the first year of a console doesn't have to shape the rest of its 6-year lifespan. That goes even for the 3DS.

Game Freak have also shown that they care about their own success first and foremost. Releasing NX games upon launch would be a risk for them as they can't know if the NX will be more successful than the 3DS.

There's not much to be done with them in the first place.

That isn't what you said about the New 3DS not all that long ago. Regardless, we know that Masuda is interested, so ignoring these factors is silly. You can think that a second 3DS-based generation would be a mistake in your eyes (you clearly thought that about Generation V), but calling it unlikely is a stretch.

 

[henrymidfields]

Frankly speaking, I would hope that they won't make the old 2/3DS obsolete so soon - at least not before Gen 7 come at the earliest. Having to ditch my 2DS and fork out a new handheld after only 2 years (which was when I bought Pokémon XY) is not fun. It also feels short especially when I recall that the old Game Boy lasted at least up to Gold/Silver, with the lifespan of that being '91-'99?

 

[Platinum Lucario]

Like?

Like bigger maps, much more detailed models that can be seen in both the overworld and during battles. And let's not forget about the amount of objects like trees, grass, NPCs and many other things like that.

So we can make level design that we already could in 3rd gen. Big whoop.

And open world? From the developers that insist on making the games as linear as possible for an audience that needs constant handholding and can't handle more than 5 minutes of gameplay? You're joking, right?

The Pokémon games have been almost open-world, but most of the games except for R/S/E have had to use gates in order to change the textures (and models) that are stored in the RAM, since they can only be refreshed upon entering a warp point (such as a gate). While as for R/S/E, they only used about one tileset throughout most of the overworld, with the exception of Rustburo City and Sotopolis City (since they've got caves or a forest in between the routes).

Just imagine if it could use one model set and texture set for the new region and one model set and texture set for the Kalos region. It could easily work out very well.

 

[Silktree]

Looking at Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate on the New 3DS, it's clear that Generation VII doesn't need to be exclusive to the New 3DS or the NX to have lush graphics and a detailed world that make XY/ORAS look bad in comparison. You're being greedy if you don't consider that enough. New consumers and fans who care about graphics (and better controls and shorter loading times) should buy a New 3DS, but those who don't shouldn't be forced to buy a new system, especially if they only bought a 3DS in 2013 or later.

 

[HumanDawn]

I'm of the opinion that Gen VI will last 3 years and that we are only just halfway through it until Gen VII. There's still Zygarde and Volcanion to give development to and a new Pokemon game would just be perfect for them. They will probably be the main stars of the 2016 anime movie, along with maybe some Gen VII Pokemon to promote. I agree that it doesn't have to be a main series game, especially with all the non event Pokemon already available, but will be something new that will involve the foreshadowed region. It could involve some new kind of gameplay really similar to the main series games, but still be different in its own way that would attract a good 10 million to buy it.

I don't think GameFreak would have any interest in putting New Nintendo 3DS Pokemon exclusives unless it has plenty of sales. Remember that when XY came out, after some time it got enough sales to the point that 1/4 of Nintendo 3DS users had the game. They'd also try putting some some spin-off games on the console first to establish some fans on it before putting a really big game on it.

 

[Extroth]

Frankly speaking, I would hope that they won't make the old 2/3DS obsolete so soon - at least not before Gen 7 come at the earliest. Having to ditch my 2DS and fork out a new handheld after only 2 years (which was when I bought Pokémon XY) is not fun. It also feels short especially when I recall that the old Game Boy lasted at least up to Gold/Silver, with the lifespan of that being '91-'99?

This! I love the new 3ds but let's face it a lot of Pokémon fans only get the system because of Pokémon. It's a system seller for sure. But to force those people to buy a new system again is going to feel like highway robbery. I don't think that but I own tons of games for the system and enjoy the speed of the new 3ds.

But my wife on the other hand owns maybe five games and most are Pokemon related. If they want casual gamers they won't force a hardware shift this soon.

 

[Silktree]

It could involve some new kind of gameplay really similar to the main series games, but still be different in its own way that would attract a good 10 million to buy it.

I don't know about that, as not even B2W2 were that successful. It's also hard to believe that the latter half of 2015 will have another big release in addition to Pokkén and Detective Pikachu (the latter may be n3DS-enhanced), even though the former is arcade-exclusive for now. And by next year, they simply won't need a big release aside from Generation VII, not to mention that Pokkén should be ported to the Wii U (and maybe even the 3DS) and it seems to have enough appeal.

I think that a story-driven app about Kalos' history, coupled with an anime arc, should be enough development for Zygarde and Volcanion. It would be akin to Rayquaza's recent spotlight, which was arguably more satisfying than its role in Emerald (which was pretty brief). Its forms would presumably be unlocked in Generation VII, so the app would also promote the next games.

Generation VII could definitely be released in late 2016, but an earlier release would allow it to shine before NX details surfaced. Black and White essentially being announced alongside the 3DS wasn't ideal.

But my wife on the other hand owns maybe five games and most are Pokemon related. If they want casual gamers they won't force a hardware shift this soon.

The great thing about the New 3DS is that everyone can be satisfied depending on their preferences.

 

[HumanDawn]

I don't know about that, as not even B2W2 were that successful. It's also hard to believe that the latter half of 2015 will have another big release in addition to Pokkén and Detective Pikachu (the latter may be n3DS-enhanced), even though the former is arcade-exclusive for now. And by next year, they simply won't need a big release aside from Generation VII, not to mention that Pokkén should be ported to the Wii U (and maybe even the 3DS) and it seems to have enough appeal.

It doesn't have to be 10 million, I think GameFreak would be satisfied with around 7-8 million, considering how well their games sell it could be a solid release. The 3DS probably had a say in B2W2 sales too. I don't think Pokken and Detective Pikachu would count as big releases. From what I remember from the Pokken trailers is that there were 18 spots in total, which aren't that many Pokemon and the whole roster isn't even out yet to help hype people. I keep on forgetting Detective Pikachu is a game that even is in development because of the lack of news about anything related to it, they may have said they were planning a 2015 release but that could always change to an early 2016 release.

I think that a story-driven app about Kalos' history, coupled with an anime arc, should be enough development for Zygarde and Volcanion. It would be akin to Rayquaza's recent spotlight, which was arguably more satisfying than its role in Emerald (which was pretty brief). Its forms would presumably be unlocked in Generation VII, so the app would also promote the next games.

I don't think an app like that would be really helpful. Depends on the gameplay I guess, but it sounds like a cop out when they could make another main series game that could sell a lot take place in the foreshadowed region Ash would probably go to.

Generation VII could definitely be released in late 2016, but an earlier release would allow it to shine before NX details surfaced. Black and White essentially being announced alongside the 3DS wasn't ideal.

There probably wouldn't be that many NX details surfacing. If the NX comes out late 2017 or 2018(which would make the 3DS's life be as long as the DS's when it came out) it would take a year or so for it to stabilize enough for Gen VIII like with XY coming out 2 years after the 3DS's release. The problem with GEN V was Gen IV's fault because it lasted 4 years. If GEN VI lasts 3 years it would give GEN VII a good 3 years without needing to worry about having to be on the NX when it's still not released.

---

Hopefully this coming May will tell us what Gen VI's future is. It's a solid generation with nice surprises and twists, hopefully the latter half of 2015 as well as 2016 do not disappoint.

 

[Bolt Strike]

Honestly I think at this point I think it's better from a creative standpoint (not necessarily from a sales standpoint) to just make 4 sets of games per generation, there's a lot of different possibilities for remakes and sequels that they can do now, and once we get to the NX they'll have even more possibilities with Johto, Sinnoh, and Unova all going out of date at the same time. If need be throw some new Pokemon in the third version/sequel, but with XY and ORAS already having a separated online environment, there's no real need for a new generation. Having another stopgap generation like 5th is just too inflexible.

 

[Silktree]

I don't think Pokken and Detective Pikachu would count as big releases.

Detective Pikachu has been in development for almost two years now. They wouldn't spend that much time on it if it weren't special.

I don't think an app like that would be really helpful. Depends on the gameplay I guess, but it sounds like a cop out when they could make another main series game that could sell a lot take place in the foreshadowed region Ash would probably go to.

You expect them to introduce a new region for the tail end of a generation? They have more to gain from treating it as a new generation with new mechanics and Pokémon. Even a simple Kalos game would divert resources from Generation VII, not to mention that Movie 18 doesn't hint at it any main series release this year.

There probably wouldn't be that many NX details surfacing.

The 3DS was showcased at E3 2010, and it seems likely that the NX will be showcased next year. I agree that there shouldn't be a problem if they choose to release it in late 2017, but it may be released in March 2017 much like the 3DS in 2011.

The problem with GEN V was Gen IV's fault because it lasted 4 years.

I agree with that, but making it shorter would have meant cutting Platinum (or HGSS, but that would have been silly given the demand for them). Releasing a new game every year is not feasible with Game Freak's small staff; they need a gap year to prepare a new generation.

If need be throw some new Pokemon in the third version/sequel, but with XY and ORAS already having a separated online environment

For random battles. Friend and passerby battles between XY and ORAS are still possible locally and online, but the exclusion of new Mega Evolutions is a hindrance and things would just get worse with more Generation VI games. The longer generation theory is not supported by Game Freak's unwillingness to update XY.

Having another stopgap generation like 5th is just too inflexible.

I don't understand this at all. They foreshadowed a new region as early as 2013 and I, for one, don't want to wait until 2018 to see it. Relying too much on old regions is not the way to go.