Game Freak pushed new Pokemon from Black 2 / White 2 to X / Y due to fans overseas missing old Pokemon

Based on an internal Game Freak conversation held in 2010, Game Freak was originally planning on introducing many new Pokemon for Black 2 and White 2, but those were instead moved to X and Y and the team instead opted to bring back creatures from past generations for the DS sequels.

The transcript of the conversation surfaced today following the Game Freak hack / leak. It shows how the company became aware of fans outside of Japan not being happy with the lack of old Pokemon in Black and White. Due to this, Game Freak pivoted, and decided to change that for Black 2 and White 2. Despite already having finished many new designs, they were used for Kalos instead.

The same conversation also shows that Game Freak decided against giving Mega Evolutions to Generation 5 Pokemon. A fusion mechanic was also cut and reworked into Mega Evolutions because they thought they couldn’t use fusions two times in a row.

Here’s the full transcript (note that “Beauty” was the codename for Kalos / X and Y):

M: What happened?

T: I believe we should ask “How it happened?” instead.

M. Abroad fans are not liking the lack of old Pokemon.

O: But we got a perfect score in Famitsu.

T: Pokemon is not a local game that is translated for the world. It’s a worldwide game now. It was our mistake to forget that young international people have access to the internet.

M: Do you remember when the nation was angry about not bringing Pokemon from Kinki to Kyushu?

O: We had a lot of complaints during development that the Dream World was too difficult for overseas fans to use.

M: For Beauty, we will need to step down and bring a lot of old Pokemon back. I’m not sure if we have time, we are finishing Kanto models now.

T: We need massive changes in development for Beauty. You said we were working with fusions, we will use that to test the fanbase reception.

M: The concept of temporary fusion in battle… I’m afraid that will be our end.

T: That’s why we need to choose which Pokemon will get one thoroughly. Let’s stick to the Japan ones since New York Pokemon need a rest.

O: Yes. People will like a dragon type Lizarddon. But I’m not sure they would like stone type Enbuo.

M: So no more fusions for New York?

T: Yes. Cancel. Let’s stick to fame. Lucario, Absol, Basharmo.

M: And about New York reception?

T: I’m afraid we will have to put old Pokemon in the sequels and skip the new ones.

M: But we already have a solid number of Pokemon drawn.

T: They will be for Beauty. Skip New York. We cannot have any region with bad reception. The brand requires all the regions to be liked by people.

M: So postpone the fusion Mewtwo movie?

O: We can use it in Beauty!

M: I’m afraid the fusion concept two times in a row is a bad idea.

O: We should vote.

M: Before voting, do you think a T-rex fits in Beauty?

T: We will politely ask for all the new designs for the sequels to be redone to fit Beauty.

More news from the Game Freak hack / leak continues to pour out. You can find a lot of what’s been uncovered thus far here.

Thanks to CentroLeaks for today’s news.