Pokemon director explains MMO hesitance and sticking with handhelds

Pokemon X&Y game director Junichi Masuda explains why the company is hesitant to jump into the MMO space, and how he feels handhelds are still the proper home for major Pokemon releases.

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Pokemon X and Y are marked visual changes from previous Pokemon games, especially due to the updated 3D art. Mechanically, though, the game is still following a familiar pattern on familiar platforms. Game director Junichi Masuda, who has been involved since the very beginning, recently explained his reasoning behind not taking the MMO plunge, and sticking with handhelds as the main platform of choice.

"Of course, we hear all the opinions we get from our fans about an MMORPG," game director Junichi Masuda told Venture Beat. "But right now, we're still unsure whether this core gameplay at the center of Pokémon--catching the Pokémon and raising them--would really translate well or really match the MMORPG format. Right now we think the best way for the widest possible audience to enjoy the games is the way we develop them now."

If Masuda seems tentative regarding an MMO, he's much more certain about handhelds being the proper home for Pokemon's main series. He explained that since the root of the franchise formed around trading, handheld devices are the best way to do that. Even though technology has allowed players to trade and battle online, remaining on Nintendo handhelds means kids can easily do those functions face-to-face as well.

"So one thing that we think is great about handhelds is that they facilitate both of these styles of play--going somewhere in real life and interacting in person as well as being able to play with other players over the Internet," he said. "So that's why we continue to develop on the handheld platforms."

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  • reply
    September 19, 2013 1:00 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Pokemon director explains MMO hesitance and sticking with handhelds.

    Pokemon X&Y game director Junichi Masuda explains why the company is hesitant to jump into the MMO space, and how he feels handhelds are still the proper home for major Pokemon releases.

    • reply
      September 19, 2013 1:15 PM

      There'd be a few teething problems for a Pokémon MMORPG, like the difficulty in designing different areas players could start in that are all low level so it isn't stagnant, and how to then limit access to harder areas for these players without resorting to HMs. (e.g. once you have fly, you should be able to physically ride your pokemon to a new destination).

      Legendaries too would be an issue. Do you only have one of each legendary and the first player to catch it keeps it? Or one every few months? So there are issues to consider, but the ones he's outlined are bollocks. "We're unsure catching and raising Pokémon would translate well to an MMO". You don't think acquiring things and levelling would translate well to an MMO? Come on!

    • reply
      September 19, 2013 2:02 PM

      They should just take baby steps and start with a coop game.

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      September 19, 2013 2:14 PM

      I think a pokemon mmorpg would be amazing. But they should keep it on handhelds and make the first mmo on the DS

    • reply
      September 19, 2013 7:44 PM

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