The Pokémon Company is currently engaged in discussions regarding how to maintain the quality of its future games despite its frequent release schedule. Over the past few decades, the company has consistently published new video games, with only seven out of the last 27 years not seeing a new mainline release.
During the 12 months leading up to the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in November last year, three major Switch titles were launched, including Legends: Arceus and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. However, this rapid release cadence has sometimes resulted in quality issues during the HD era.
For instance, the 2019 release of Sword & Shield was criticized for its poor visual quality, while last year’s Scarlet and Violet encountered various technical issues, leading to an official apology from Nintendo.
At the recent Pokémon World Championships in Yokohama, Japan, ComicBook.com posed a question to Takato Utsunomiya, the Chief Operating Officer of The Pokémon Company. They asked if there was a specific schedule that the Pokémon brand adheres to when it comes to releasing new games.
Utsunomiya responded by noting that historically, The Pokémon Company has consistently followed a regular release schedule, introducing new products and experiences for customers at a fixed cadence. However, due to changes in development environments, there are now ongoing discussions regarding how to maintain this approach while also ensuring the introduction of high-quality products.
Currently, The Pokémon Company has plans to release a two-part DLC for Scarlet and Violet later this year, which has sparked speculation among fans about the potential existence of Pokémon Black & White remakes.
It is not uncommon for Pokémon games to provide hints about future locations or releases. For example, wallpaper in Sword and Shield has hinted at the upcoming Scarlet and Violet games.
In conclusion, The Pokémon Company is aware of the need to balance its release schedule with the quality of its games. By engaging in discussions about how to achieve this, they aim to continue providing new and exciting experiences for Pokémon fans while also ensuring the delivery of high-quality products.
