Game Freak on the process of making new Pokemon, challenges involved; scrapped designs return later
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
It’s no secret that the Pokemon franchise has a ton of different creatures. We’re just about ready to enter the series’ eighth generation, and over 800 designs currently exist.
As noted in the latest issue of Game Informer, the whole process kicks off with a relatively simple request to an artist involving “a concept of a Pokemon for a particular scenario” or “a specific direction for a new creature.” That artist will then make “quick sketches with few details, which are shown to the team requesting to see if they’re heading in the correct direction.” Feedback provided will lead to several iterations of the design, “with the gaps getting longer and longer each time as the artist adds more detail with each iteration.”
More: Game Freak, interview, Pokemon, top
Atelier Ryza producer explains why Gust took a more realistic approach with the art style
Posted on 4 years ago by Oni Dino(@Oni_Dino) in News, Switch | 0 comments
When Atelier Ryza was announced, fans quickly noticed that the game looked quite different from past entries. This time around, Gust is employing a more realistic look. We recently spoke with Atelier Ryza producer Junzo Hosoi to learn more about that decision.
Since Atelier Ryza is a landmark title given how it’s an entirely new entry in the franchise free of past connections, the team felt that making an adjustment with the visuals would make sense. The developers “really looked at the lighting and the shadows and the graphical elements.” It’s also the first major change since the Arland series.
Hosoi’s full words:
CD Projekt Red seems to think Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch probably won’t happen
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
The Witcher 3 was once thought to be impossible on Switch, and yet the game will be arriving on Nintendo’s console in just a few days. Given how a demanding title like that managed to hit the system, some may wonder if Cyberpunk 2077 – CD Projekt Red’s latest effort – could end up there as well.
CD Projekt Red’s John Mamais addressed the possibility at PAX Australia this week. Mamais gave a bit of a wishy-washy answer, first pointing out the surprising port of The Witcher 3 before going on to say that it’s unlikely.
More: CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk 2077, interview, John Mamais
GungHo on why Ninjala was delayed and the decision to feature ninjas
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
The action game Ninjala was announced for Switch at E3 2018 with plans for release in Spring 2019. It was eventually delayed by a full year with GungHo now planning on releasing the title in Spring 2020.
In an interview with Noisy Pixel, GungHo Online Entertainment CEO Kazuki Morishita discussed why Ninjala was pushed back as well as recent improvements that have been implemented. Morishita explained:
Video: Game Freak on the inspiration of the Galar Region in Pokemon Sword/Shield
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 0 comments
The latest Pokemon Sword/Shield video from Game Informer features art director James Turner. Below, he discusses the history of developing the new Galar region and how it took inspiration from his youth in the UK.
Video: Game Freak on the making of Sobble for Pokemon Sword/Shield
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 0 comments
Game Informer published a video today with Pokemon Sword/Shield director Shigeru Ohmori, producer Junichi Masuda, and art director James Turner. Below, all three discuss the creation of the Pokemon and give hints about where its evolution could go.
More: Game Freak, interview, Pokemon Shield, Pokemon Sword
Video: Game Freak talks Scorbunny in Pokemon Sword/Shield
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 0 comments
Game Informer is back with another video for Pokemon Sword/Shield that focuses on Scorbunny. Below, director Shigeru Ohmori, producer Junichi Masuda, and art director James Turner discuss the making of the creature and give hints about where its evolution could go.
More: Game Freak, interview, Pokemon Shield, Pokemon Sword
Video: Game Freak talks Grookey in Pokemon Sword/Shield
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Switch, Videos | 0 comments
Game Informer shared a new video today with Game Freak today all about Grookey in Pokemon Sword/Shield. Director Shigeru Ohmori, producer Junichi Masuda, and art director James Turner talk about the making of the Pokemon and give hints about where its evolution could go. Watch the video below.
More: Game Freak, interview, Pokemon Shield, Pokemon Sword
Game Freak on why it took so long for a Pokemon console game
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch | 0 comments
Pokemon has long been known as a handheld-only series. Thanks to the hybrid nature of Switch, that’s finally starting to change. Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu / Eevee got things started last year and allowed fans to experience the games on an actual television. Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield are continuing the trend on Switch and will mark an entirely new generation that can be played on the big screen.
In the latest issue of Game Informer, producer Junichi Masuda was asked why it took so long for a Pokemon console game. He first noted the importance of maintaining an open experience in which players can connect with others in real-life, explaining:
More: Game Freak, interview, Junichi Masuda, Pokemon, top
Masuda on why Game Freak doesn’t expand and keeps team sizes relatively small
Posted on 4 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Compared to the some of the big developers out there, Game Freak is relatively small. Companies like Ubisoft, Activision, and EA have massive amounts of staffers working on their projects. Meanwhile, the core team at Game Freak has only around 180-200 people working on Pokemon Sword/Shield, which may seem small in comparison.
Junichi Masuda, who has been at Game Freak since the early days, told Game Informer that he’d work with just 20 employees if he could. He noted that having bigger teams results in having too many cooks in the kitchen. Masuda prefers small teams due to how key communication is, which can be challenging when developing games.
Game Freak established the Gear Project system in which it lets even smaller teams create projects outside of Pokemon. Little Town Hero, HarmoKnight, Pocket Card Jockey, and Giga Wrecker Alt. were all born from that initiative. If Masuda had a chance to do something within Gear Project, he’d make a shooter along the lines of R-Type.
