Silktree

Do you go by the geography presented in the anime? I don't quite agree with it, to be honest, despite the fact that I do accept the fact that the Pokémon World is not an exact mirror of the real world (namely and most importantly; scales are much different). For example, Sinnoh is much norther (hence colder), while Hoenn has a more hot climate due to the fact that it's closer to the equator. Furthermore, I usually question the existence of the anime-only locations inbetween game locations. I do agree that there may be more locations in the known regions (and quite honestly, that's logical, considering that you can't access every locations of each region -- see Anville Town as a proof of that), but there are some cases that anime locations contradict with game ones.

Nevertheless, I'd like to believe that some of the anime location exist in the game canon, and are located on different places; that's believable, considering that even the actual game locations are placed differently. I find it a bit wrong for so many signature locations of the real world to be so close to each other. But I do more than excuse it, since we wouldn't get to see so many landmarks if not for those "guest" location appearances. I also like the idea of some shared legends among the world. Arceus in Greece and Eon Birds in Italy sound very fitting to me.

I wonder how close to Holon region the New Island could be located. The similarities are undeniable, although its placement near the Sevii and Orange Islands does not sound bad to me either. I think that with BW3 and BW4 coverage of Unova in the TCG will finish (I find it hopeful that BW3 there will be Team Plasma-themed, and BW4 possibly Gym Leader/Elite Four based). I wonder if TCG will ever do something like the Delta Species at some point of time.

I found the movies 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 to be good, although I confess that I haven't seen some of the latest ones (I have tried to see some, but it just didn't work, I got bored).

I quite liked the Lati@s film, actually. It is one of the few post-M03 features that had interesting character development on both human and Pokémon characters, and I found the story intriguing. Altomare is also one of my favourite locations in the anime universe. I hope that if Italy (not necessarily, but preferably) gets adapted in a future game, Venice will be covered via Altomare (or, equally as good, Lati@s will have a role on the corresponding location).

I didn't find the way Mew was depicted in M08 awful. Contrary in fact, I think it was a pretty interesting depiction of the resourceful Pokémon. M08 was completely fine, I think. There's isn't much that I didn't like in it, although it had the least emotion out of the 5 films I consider good.

I should also mention that Mewtwo Returns wasn't bad either. While not nearly as good as Mewtwo Strikes Back, it was quite watchable and interesting as a resolution. It had some misconceptions, but I can pass on them (despite the fact that I don't particularly agree with those as cloning mechanics). The Legend of Thunder wasn't as good, but its value lies on the appearance of other game characters in protagonist roles.

No cameos either, that sucks. I wonder what are they thinking, they lost a pretty good chance here...
So, another mediocre film feature. Oh well, it's not like I expect anything as great as the first movies ever again.
And the drought continues with no change at all.

Like you said, Black and White changed that. BW were closer to RGBY and GSC than any of the recent games was. That made me glad, and I enjoyed the fact that the player character had himself a more personal (rather than determined) role. However, I was still annoyed by the immediacy of some parts (as a result of a more linear story, which they had). In the end, I was satisfied by the world of BW, and I liked the story, but I felt that its presentation was too direct in some of its bits. I don't feel that any fictional aspects of Pokémon were downplayed, because aspects of this style were never a solid part of the series (namely, they only appeared mainly on DPPt).

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Iwata: The story of a young boy catching bugs in the summer.
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When I read this quote earlier this year, I got reminded of the concept art of the first games, like this one, and found it to be one (good enough even) way to put the feelings the first couple games managed to give me into words. I think this is exactly what Ṕokémon is to be about, and managed in many ways to be just that. After Gold, Silver and Crystal, the plot became too Legendary Pokémon-oriented (in contrast to featuring them as an important element). While I enjoyed the worlds of the next games, I must say that they didn't manage to give me the feelings RGBY and GSC did.

I also didn't enjoy DPPt's plot as much as I could have had, but probably for different reasons than you. I minded some of the story's elements' excessiveness, not (generally speaking) the presentation. I feel that the presentation was well fit with the style Pokémon always had -- the "summer of a young boy" approach. But there were exaggerations -- to explore the creation of the universe is an exaggeration itself; the attempt to at least -- because in the end what you said happened, and a lot of things were left in the air. In the end, I sort of feel relieved that things like why Giratina had to be defeated/captured weren't completely explained, and the status of the main character remained grounded to the correct level. I do agree that the Distortion World could have been explored more though.

In a tl;dr version, I felt DPPt contained too many fantasy elements which felt a bit out of place.

It was pretty surprising that there was no Pikachu v-pet game for DS. It was being expected after that Pikachu DS tech demo (which was eventually partly intergrated on Dash). I think that one on 3DS is a no-brainer for them, so... I take it this will appear at one point. I also wonder why they have so distant releases though. It's not owned by Nintendo, Creatures or anything, which indeed raises the question if its employees could have been working on other studios.

I think that Hal most likely created Ranger's engine -- which is one of the most important jobs development-wise, if not the most important. That would also explain why they didn't work on the second game. Nevertheless, they're indeed very busy now. Creatures did make PokéPark Wii, but that took their 2009 schedule. Ranger 3 was an easy job, given they had the engine and plenty of experience. Their main job in 2010 would probably be to make the 3D models of the Gen V Pokémon (and as a result Pokédex 3D). I think that their hands were free for the past few months, so, they have probably started another project. I'm not sure if it could release this year though. And I do hope it's not Ranger 4, but something on the same philosophy (specifically, the one of the first game).

Someone should make a Pokémon platformer. An interesting concept would be using a Pokémon and travelling from place to place -- avoid being caught and battle other wild Pokémon. Or maybe a non-linear platformer in the vains of Castlevania and Metroid with the control of a trainer. Or, heck, a game on the Pokémon-only world -- it's just surprising there still is no platformer on the series. Whatever happens, I want interesting spinoffs, and Gen V has so far had the most trash spinoff games of the franchise.

A month between Meloetta and Genesect seems too short. Considering Gen II (the only generation to last roughly 2 years) only had 1 Mythical Pokémon (Celebi). GameFreak sure didn't make this easy...what with launching at the end of a system's lifespan, and having 4 Mythical Pokémon...what they do is anyone's guess really. Still, I expect Keldeo to be unveiled soon.

Yeah, but that would make Gen V really short. My prediction is:

Q3/4 2011: Keldeo unveiled.
Q1 2012: Meloetta unveiled.
July 2012: Keldeo and Meloetta movie.
September 2012: Third Version released (DS)
Q3/Q4 2012: Genesect revealed.
Q1 2013: Gen VI Poké revealed.
July 2013: Genesect and new Poké movie.
September 2013: Gen VI Primary Pair released (3DS).

The thing is, the black and white motif will only ever exist in Black and White. If a "Gray/Grey" comes out with Kyurem, that would destroy it as well. In BW there was black or white, a grey would just say "F--- this, both options are cool!". It would do the game's story more justice if there wasn't a third version...but Game Freak and Nintendo love money xD

Also, Cobalion would be a nice break from dragons...I was getting fed up with them in Gen IV. My main Gen VI wishes to GF are "No Dragon-type legendaries, and no Fire/Fighting starters!".

I'm guessing Keldeo will be distributed later this year. If Generation V is to end with the third version, and if Gen VI will debut in September 2013, the schedule will need to be moved forward a bit. I'm guessing that Keldeo could be unveiled as a part of a "1 Year Anniversary" thing, with confirmation of it being in next year's movie in December. Then next year, we get introduced to Meloetta, who will be the star (So Keldeo given away for pre-ordering tickets, Meloetta for seeing it). Then in 2013, Genesect.

As for the story. The problem Black and White's story is, how can they fit Kyurem into it? Introducing a new character with another set of ideals? IF they decided to go down the Muskadeer route, as N can hear Pokémon, it could be that he was exposed to the trio, he helped concrete N's idea that humans & Pokémon = bad. Then, throughout the story you meet the Muskadeers, until you have a confrontation with N, and the Muskadeer de facto leader Cobalion. Then, when you, Virizion and Terrakin prove to Cobalion that y'know, humans are pretty swell guys after all, Cobalion lets you capture it.

Prolly won't happen; but I'd much prefer it over shoe-horning Kyurem into the plot xD

I still believe that there will be a third version (and that it will end Generation V) - heck, didn't Junichi Masuda strongly hint that we'll find out about N's name in one? Until the announcement of the next TCG set and the Kyurem merchandise, I was convinced it was going to be the mascot. But now?

As it stands, all of the legendary Pokémon of Unova have appeared in the TCG (Reshiram and Zekrom in Black Collection/White Collection, Cobalion, Virizion and Terrakion in the Battle Strength decks, Thundurus and Tornadus in Black Collection/White Collection, Landorus in Red Collection and Victini in Red Collection) which makes things a bit confusing. I'm not saying Keldeo, Meloetta or Genesect will be the version mascots though xD.

Personally though, I wouldn't mind seeing Cobalion as the mascot. Throwing Kyurem into the BW plot could be a bad move, considering how concentrated the story was on the PC's ideals vs N's ideals. Also, we have the Muskadeers' backstory of saving Pokémon from conflict, and being wary of humans. I think that rather than shoe-horning Kyurem into the BW plot, Game Freak could also make an alternate story with Team Plasma about Cobalion, Virizion and Terrakion - Cobalion being the version mascot due to it being the de facto leader. Then obviously, a Keldeo download tie-in around launch would make a lot of sense.

We'll just have to wait and see though.

As for the spinoff, maybe you're right. We had quite a few spin-offs already. But I don't think they would miss the chance -- Ranger sold especially well partly thanks to Manaphy. Although this could happen in a different order, feature a different event Pokémon. Keldeo is sort of personal, because I like Meloetta better, hence would prefer to see her on a more important game (Wii RPG). So, yeah, order is not to be taken as granted. The Kami Trio is sort of pointless to me, but could serve as a good point on another RPG (the one on Wii).

Maybe I've understood Genesect wrong, but from what I know (a Pokémon "abandoned" my N), it is a gross contradiction to N's character. He never shown care on the Pokémon being "natural", instead of genetically altered. If anything, he would be the one to worry about Pokémon like Genesect. I could be wrong, of course, but that's how I see it.

We've also already established that one of main points against Grey on 3DS is that it would relatively degrade the first real 3DS Pokémon game. If Grey ends up coming, and it's also so close to the first 3DS release, this is further reason for people to not get into Generation VI. The way I see it, a Wii RPG would affect Generation VI's (which is what Game Freak and Nintendo mostly care most about) release and success much less (if at all) than Grey on 3DS would. This is probably the main reason why Grey not coming at all is not out of question, and why Wii RPG is still a possibility.

Like I might have told you already the main reason I don't want Grey (besides the inconvenience it would serve on the release of a Wii game) is personal. Black and White had a theme that is spoken by their titles; black and white. I don't want a Grey to neutralize things when it comes to N's beliefs, the player character's actions and the whole contrast that is achieved throughout the whole game. To me that would suck. There's no need for absolution in Pokémon games -- there never was. It was also established through the Entralink that multiple worlds coexist, something we were suspecting years now. You've told me that you don't care about the whole multiverse, but we have to agree that its formalization is something very interesting. If anything, there should be a Legendary Pokémon related to the Dream World and the Entralink (which I consider very related when it comes to their mythical essense). Maybe we might see one in the future.

A release date for this year is possible. I give the most possibilities from December 2011 to February 2012 -- winter, basically. This has to do with the other releases for the console, actually. Mind you, however; this is simply a two months difference -- 2011 and 2012 are simply numbers. As for Grey, it is a different case than traditional releases nevertheless. I'm not saying that early 2012 is definite, I'm simply suggesting that since the game would be for 3DS anyway, there's not much of a reason to hold on for September (since this will be a system seller, and the earlier the system selling happens, the better it will be). On the other hand, will Game Freak have the port ready in, say, February? I don't know. But I think that if both Grey and a Wii RPG happen, the letter will certainly not feature Kyurem, and the former will surely follow later (does that sound contradictory to what I said before?). Maybe that will be the case, who knows?

My guess is this:

Keldeo: Available in a spin-off title released this year, have an anime special devoted to it and the Masqueteer Trio.
Meloetta: Available in the Wii RPG or Grey early-ish next year, to be featured on the next film along with Kyurem.
Genesect: Available somewhere after M15 and before M16 in the former games, may or may not be featured in M16 along with a Gen VI star.

It all depends on the Wii RPG's release date, basically. If it ends up not coming, then the Meloetta and Genesect events are expected to be seen in a Grey version, which in that case is more possible.

Obviously, we still disagree on one key thing; when will the first Gen VI games be released. Realistically, I can't see them before early 2013, and that's not because I am 6 months behind Gen V -- I followed the coverage from the first day, after all. If Gen VI was coming this early, I don't think Gen V would feature this many hidden Legendary Pokémon -- especially since Genesect and/or Meloetta are essentially (much like the Kami Trio) pretty much unneeded, if not time fillers.

So:
Keldeo - Spin-off game - late 2011
Meleotta - Wii RPG/Grey - early 2012
Gelesect - Normal distribution/Wii RPG/Grey - late 2012/early 2013

Also, Creatures hasn't been particularely busy with anything since March 2010 (Ranger 3's release month) other than making 3D models for the 156 new Pokémon, which isn't a very big deal. PokéDex 3D certainly wasn't a harder job that Typing DS, if we don't count the 3D models. Now, whether they could be the makers of that spin-off, that is yet to be seen. To be honest, it's usually Creatures or Hal, and Hal has been very busy. So, if not for another developer, Creatures is the only option.

Then again, I may be wrong, Whatever the case, I just don't want another Mystery Dungeon.

The Kyurem focus is indeed suspicious. We shouldn't cross out the possibility of it being featured in the movie, but it could mean more than that. When it comes to patterns, what's happening is against the possibility of Grey, but I don't think business works like that, so we should also take that into account. But generally speaking, this seems to be in favour of a non traditional release.

I think that a winter release is definitely possible, although this could also mean early 2012. I'm not taking anything for granted though. I'd me more surprised to see a game on Wii, than I would be not to. I'm more than happy that the possibility is still there, however. I will be glad to see Wii passing the torch with a library as complete as including a Pokémon RPG.

I personally can accept the cameo and consider him the same character as the one in the Legend of Thunder. I don't think he will appear again though. Marina in DP was a big surprise. Nevertheless, I don't expect much from the anime altogether. Its current state is nothing compared to the original series, but I guess it still can serve as a kids' show, and an alternative interpretation of the universe. I'm just happy when game protagonist have a role as little as even a cameo. Though, I confess that relative ages have started to annoy me. Red is supposed to be much older than Bianca.

As for the featured Pokémon, I'd pass on Welded being featured in a film. I cam see a two partner with the Masqueteer trio and Keldeo -- based on a supposed spinoff -- like the Ranger specials.

Yes, CoroCoro will most likely just have things on Super Pokémon Rumble.

There's also the cameos of the movies, which I'm eagerly waiting to see. We were speculating with Maxim that each film may feature different cameo appearences; probably Hilbert on the one, Hilda on the other. I was hoping that we'd see Silver, though. This might be a chance to get to know his Ash/Brendan/Ethan/Lyra-like name, instead of the common 'Silver'. His name could be featured on the disk release extras, like last year was the case with "Hibiki". To be honest, I can't accept that Ethan has two counterparts on the anime. I consider Hibiki and Kenta the same character -- after all these years they probably don't care to switch the counterpart's name and, quite honestly, it doesn't make sense for the character to exist twice in that universe.

As for the M15 prerelease... Why would Kyurem be a disappointment? That won't cross out the possibility of it to be featured on a Wii game. I suppose you're referring to Generation VI coming in 2012 though. I still find this very unlikely to happen. If there's a main series entry coming out next year, that would be a console game and/or, unfortunately, Grey on 3DS -- as underwhelming as this is. I think Keldeo will be distributed at September, in a Ranger-esque game (if not even a Ranger 4 -- although I wouldn't want that). What remains a question is whether it or another hidden Legendary will be featured on the film. There are still three, but surely, not more than two of the next movies can feature them.

I don't think they were involved either, not that I mind that. I personally am for a more free (but certainly controlled and well-put) expansion of the Pokémon universe, and so far only (mostly) Genius Sonority and Hal games have achieved that (besides the TCG). I'm not referring to the Ranger series (to be honest, I only like to think the first Ranger title as a definite part of the continuity) as much as the Stadium ones. I'm not sure why you're not very interested in Stadium, if that's what you meant. Admittedly, it had little new input on the myth, but it was so well built and connected to the series (more than even Colosseum and XD) that I'd compromise for a Stadium-like game by Hal if we are not to get an RPG any time soon. PBR does not even compare (although as we know, it could).

He actually means Nintendo Power issue 99. I checked it, and there's indeed a Miyamoto interview where he mentions Pocket Monsters RPG, but there's nothing more to it. The only interesting thing is that he mentions Pocket Monsters 64 as "more like a monster encyclopedia". I take it that this still refers to Stadium (which indeed have an encyclopedia if I recall correctly). Another interesting note is that only EAD (as opposed to EAD along with Hal) was apparently developing the game at the time.

I also have a long way to go (namely, I have only checked 4 issues so far), but it doesn't appear to be anywhere. I checked the Spaceworld '99 issue and there was no mention. Also, there was an accounting of incoming Pokémon games at another issue and, again, no mention.

In any case, I've checked SmearglePaint's (whom I thought was you, although the writing style wasn't exactly yours) topics through many forums, and no one mentioned anything more than we already know. I think that Zeta probably doesn't remember things well, or read those information in another source.

It's indeed progressing slowly, and my connection's bandwidth is pretty low in my town (in contrast to the one in the city where I'm studying). I gotta confess though; it's pretty fun to look through those old magazines! Seeing things like "Super Mario RPG 2" and the then to-be-released Superman 64 (considered my many the worst game ever released) is sort of amusing.