2023-05-21 07:00:03
Game News After 30 years of Pokémon, finally a real way out for Game Freak?
For years, Game Freak has been trying to do something other than Pokémon. Now, with Project Bloom, the famous studio might finally hold its exit door.
Did you know that Game Freak doesn’t just do Pokémon? Recently, the famous Japanese studio announced a collaboration with the publisher Private Division: Project Bloom, an action-adventure game slated for 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series. For the moment, we only have a concept art, where we can see a samurai alone in the middle of a gigantic forest. An image that contrasts a lot with what we know of the aesthetics of Pokémon. In a Press releaseKota Furushima, director of Game Freak, said he was “delighted” with the project:
We are delighted to have the opportunity to create a new license that is bold and different from our previous achievements. From the start, Private Division was the publisher we wanted to work with. Their track record in the industry and their global expertise has given us confidence in creating a new high-profile action-adventure game, which we can’t wait to talk more regarding. – Kota Furushima
After SEGA, this is the second time the team has teamed up with another entity. Private Division is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive (GTA), which has until now published small to medium-sized indie titles. They have notably worked on Kerbal Space Program and The Outer Worlds.
Project Bloom (Game Freak / Private Division)
A very first attempt
This isn’t the first time Game Freak has sought to lead the way and get away from pokemon, a series that the studio has been developing since 1989 (regarding thirty entries in total). The first attempt was in 2005 with Drill Dozer, on Game Boy Advance. A fairly unique platform game since it relied on a vibration system within its cartridge. Unfortunately, with only one release in Japan and North America, without going through Europe or Australia, the success is not there (500,000 sales according to VGChartz). At the time, the Nintendo DS had already been released for 2 years and the team was unable to port to the new handheld console.
Drill Dozer (Game Boy Advance)
A first attempt that comes following the release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the third generation of pocket monsters. The timing is interesting: originally, the license had not been thought of as a series but simply as a first episode and a sequel (Gold and Silver to bring a full stop). Ken Sugimori, one of the founders of Game Freak, accused at the time of a lack of inspiration regarding the designs of the famous creatures. The Pokémon universe had 251 species, compared to more than 1000 today.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (Game Freak / Nintendo)
The birth of the Gear Project
After the sometimes complicated reception of Pokémon Black and White in 2010 – Game Freak had tried everything to change the formula – Junichi Masuda, one of the founders of the studio and composer of the series, will launch the crazy idea of the Gear Project. A project aimed at create a license even stronger than Pokémon and which would belong only to the Japanese team. Every employee had the right to come up with ideas and develop prototypes.
HarmoKnight (3DS)
It was in 2012 on 3DS that the first born of the Gear Project was born: HarmoKnight. A title oscillating between the platormer and the rhythm game, which will not meet the expected success. After this failed attempt, Game Freak will work twice as hard, even to the detriment of Pokémon (in 2015, the famous series will not be entitled to its annual episode, the team preferring to work on the Gear Project). Internally, there are two teams: one on Pokémon, and another much larger on in-house projects. Pocket monsters are no longer a priority for Game Freak.
After that, the company will chain chess: Pocket Card Jockey in 2013, a horse racing game coupled with solitaire; Tembo The Badass Elephant two years later, platformer developed alongside SEGA. It’s only in 2017 with Giga Wrecker that Game Freak will reach a certain success: a spiritual follow-up to Drill Dozer with an artistic direction very different from usual.
Foot and fist related to Pokémon
Despite everything, the results of the title are light years away from those of Pokémon, and in no way a viable alternative. Little Town Hero, arriving in 2019, will not change anything. Following the failure of this last project, Junichi Masuda will take the decision to leaving Game Freak to become “creative head” at The Pokemon Company (company that manages the brand, production, publishing and marketing of the franchise). The man will have the opportunity to speak regarding these past setbacks. He will explain that Game Freak can make video games, but they can’t communicate: Nintendo has always taken care of this aspect for Pokémon. When he left, he will declare :
In the future, I hope to transcend the boundaries of video games, trying to bring more surprises, fun and excitement to people around the world, while doing my best to connect people, expand the circle of “game” and contribute to the advent of a richer world to share – Junichi Masuda
After more than 30 years, Game Freak wants to move away from Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. Project Bloom demonstrates that the team has neither buried the Gear Project nor lost the desire to create different things – which is understandable given the state of the latest Pokemon games. Titles often created in a hurry, in a year, with more than 1000 3D creatures now in an open world. With this new action-adventure software, supposed to be released in three years, Game Freak is no doubt hoping for a much more serene development.
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