A new video from the DidYouKnowGaming? YouTube channel offers insight into what happened withPokemon Z, the expected follow-up toPokemon XandPokemon Ythat never happened. ThePokemonfranchise up to this point had historically followed up each dual main series release with a third game. Yet instead ofPokemon Z, Game Freak Moved on toPokenon Omega RubyandPokemon Alpha SapphirebeforePokemon SunandMoon. Why it did so is likely to surprise somePokemonfans.
The official line is that Game Freak never planned to makePokemon Z.Pokemon XandYproducer Junichi Masuda is even quoted as saying this is true and that Game Freak likes to surprise its fans. Instead of makingPokemon Z, Game Freak madePokemon SunandMoonso it could celebratePokemon’s anniversary in 2016. However, the official response leaves a lot of questions unanswered, like whyPokemon SunandMoontook longer than normal to develop.
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The DidYouKnowGaming? video delves into these questions and seeks answers where there’s evidence to discover. For instance, it starts by noting that dataminers in 2014 found evidence Game Freak was working on two games, “28” and “29,” implying a dual release likeBlack 2andWhite 2. Later datamining revealed Game Freak would skip 28 and 29, labeling them as “CALOS_RESERVE” and assigningPokemon SunandMoonnumbers 30 and 31. Note that there were also “ALOLA_RESERVE” placeholders for 32 and 33 that eventually becamePokemon Ultra SunandUltra Moon.
The leading theory that DidYouKnowGaming? believes explains Game Freak’s decision not to develop a pair ofPokemon Zgames has to do with development resources. It explains that around 2015, whenPokemon Zwould have launched, Game Freak was dedicating a lot of resources to its “Gear Project.” Gear was Game Freak’s endeavor to create a new franchise, and was the studio’s biggest priority at the time. Games includingHarmoKnightandTembo the Badass Elephantwere made, but Game Freak has since redoubled itsPokemonefforts.
In conclusion, DidYouKnowGaming? says there’s no evidence that Game Freak actually started full development on thePokemon Zgames. As noted, there’s evidence it was planned from datamining. There’s aPokemon XYZanime seasonstarted in 2015 and there’s even a Zygarde quest inPokemon SunandMoonthat would have fit perfectly in aPokemon Z. But, whether for Gear or to focus onPokemon SunandMoon, Game Freak must have decided not to makePokemon Zbefore development truly started.
Pokemon Zmay end up being Game Freak andPokemonfans' biggest question mark. There was every reason to revisit Kalos, butGame Freakhad different priorities at the time. That doesn’t mean Game Freak can’t revisit the location in the future with a new game, but it did not do so in 2015 on 3DS.
