Game Freak (the development studio behind the hugely popular Pokémon games) appears to be entering planning and animation stages for a new RPG in September. While it’s currently unconfirmed, the work most likely relates to the upcoming core Pokémon RPG.
Following the announcement of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, The Pokémon Company stated that a brand new “core series” Pokémon RPG was being developed for the second half of 2019. A release window that was later refined to “Late 2019” in Nintendo’s June 2018 Earnings Release.
Now, thanks to new job postings from Game Freak, we now know that the company is bolstering up their team with long-term positions that start in September 2018. The additional roles include both a Planner and Motion Designer.
Seeking out people with experience creating “highly strategic” game systems, the Planner position covers “planning and creating specifications for a new RPG (consumer game) development project”. The availability is listed as long-term position starting in September and appears to be an employee hire instead of just a contracted role.
The Motion Designer role, which also starts in September, covers animation work in Maya for movement, facial expressions, and secondary motions. Like the Planner, the role is a long-term hire for work on a consumer video game development project. The Motion Designer recruitment is for a contractual position, rather than an official employee.
Considering the Planner role states “a new RPG” and with Pokémon: Let’s Go titles hitting shelves in November; it seems very unlikely that either of the September hires would be involved in the Yellow reboot. At a push, it could be argued that the Motion Designer might be brought on-board for last minute animation work. However, considering the position is long-term, they’re more likely to be working on a new title.
