The news risks making the most impatient Pokémon fans cringe: according to recent leaks, the 11th generation of the saga would not see the light of day before 2030. This is one of the many elements that were allegedly stolen from Game Freak and The Pokémon Company during a massive hack, revealing in the process canceled projects, new mechanics… and a major graphical overhaul.
It was the highly anticipated Pokémon Legends: ZA game that set things on fire. Described as a turning point in the franchise, its new combat system is already causing a sensation. But while the spotlight is on this release, other long-term plans have emerged from the hacked documents, notably regarding Pokémon Wind & Wavespresented as the main episode of the 10th generation.
A release postponed to 2030… for good reasons?
According to information from the leaks, the games of the Generation 11 would still be far from ready. If the date of 2030 seems distant, some believe that it is not that worrying. One of the leaked files suggests that “the decision was probably made based on next-gen hardware…”.
Indeed, Pokémon Wind & Waves would be developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2which could justify the delay. “Pokémon Wind & Waves will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, which is bad news for Nintendo Switch owners but good news for the series as a whole.” Enough to hope for a technical update that meets expectations, after years of criticism of the graphics engine of previous opuses.
The leak hints at a more ambitious open world, redesigned Pokémon, and a redesigned visual style to adapt to the capabilities of the future console. This development could well permanently transform the gaming experience.
A disrupted development at Game Freak
The behind the scenes of Game Freak, rarely exposed to broad daylight, are now widely revealed. The company and The Pokémon Company would face an internal crisis linked to these leaks, with potentially modified or abandoned projects. A source mentions: “It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that both The Pokémon Company and Game Freak want to change course and do something different.”
Among the ideas under consideration, a game project taking place in the region of Galar particularly intriguing: instead of capturing Pokémon with Pokéballs, trainers would gather them around themselves like a Pikmin gamebefore throwing them into battles against Pokémon Gigamax.
Nothing yet indicates whether this project will see the light of day, but the ambitions seem clear: renew game mechanics, break habits, and place Pokémon at the center of video game innovation. A revolution which, although not immediate, seems to be well and truly underway.