Buzz
As Square Enix kindles a battle with veiled openness regarding future NFT plans, Game Freak surprisingly shares a 'No to NFTs' standpoint for the iconic Pokémon franchise.
Some things never change, and Pokémon is one of them. Many fans can't comprehend why Game Freak has been remaking the game for the past 25 years. However, now they find solace in this 'conservative' approach. While Square Enix starts the new year with mysterious whispers about developing NFT games and a perplexing metaverse stance, Game Freak sends gamers a clear message: they want to create games that people actually want to play. This has evoked indescribable emotions in long-time fans, reminding them of a franchise with a rich history amid the metaverse and blockchain frenzy.
Nintendo Everything publishes a lengthy article about an interview with Sword & Shield director, Shigeru Omori, and planning director Kazumasa Iwo. The article delves into the studio's approach, development direction, and the company's vision for the future. It also reflects on the transition of Pokémon from a handheld game to a large screen and integrated handheld device experience. 'We are very interested in graphics for new games,' Omori reveals, surprising many. To capitalize on technological advancements and the Switch's strengths, Omori decides to expand the development scale, narrowing down to a core team. According to the article, 'Omori knows that if he approaches new games like previous generations, it will cause a lot of confusion.''
Iwao continues to explain that Game Freak has a tradition of providing opportunities for young staff. Omori himself was chosen as team lead, planning for Diamond & Pearl at the young age of 25, and was entrusted with more experienced team members. For Sword & Shield, higher positions were also given to younger staff. Iwao admits their lack of knowledge sometimes shows in the project, but they can overcome challenges with guidance from more experienced colleagues.
The most important aspect is that everyone must work with passion. Omori delegated tasks based on the strengths of the staff. If someone in the team is interested in sports, they will be assigned the task of designing sports apparel. He wants everyone to bring their strengths into the game, and in the future, Omori plans to attract the participation of developers, designers, and programmers from the early stages so that anyone can contribute ideas and 'create games that more people can enjoy.''
Summing up Omori's perspective on the future of Pokémon, he expresses a belief in always embracing new ideas and being willing to experiment. Pokémon will continue to innovate in technology, rejuvenate the development team, and evolve gameplay. While this message is simple, it brings comfort to many gamers, as it aligns with what they desire.
Pokémon has never been a highly sought-after game, but it has been beloved by generations. Hearing the director of Sword & Shield discuss the importance of graphics and the challenges in developing a TV-playable game might elicit laughter from some. However, Omori's approach to aiding young, inexperienced developers who still make mistakes in Sword & Shield projects seems truly inspirational. Some fans may be frustrated with Game Freak's seemingly outdated methods compared to the rest of the gaming industry, but Omori reminds players of the key elements that make a game instead of just focusing on profit. Sometimes, being behind is necessary.
