Pokopia’s Creators Aimed for a Unique Experience Beyond RPGs, but Faced Challenges in Development

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Pokémon Pokopia marks the franchise’s first venture into life simulation, with its senior director explaining that the goal was to create a game that breaks away from traditional RPG elements.

In a conversation with an outlet, Shigeru Ohmori shared that Pokopia, co-developed by Game Freak, Koei Tecmo, and The Pokémon Company, provided a fresh experience for the development team.

“For Game Freak, this is their first time creating something specifically for a spin-off,” Ohmori states. “We aimed to develop a game that isn’t an RPG. The challenge of stepping away from RPG mechanics was significant. Even as a spin-off, with Game Freak involved, it was crucial to highlight Pokémon’s unique qualities.”

Ohmori has directed several mainline Pokémon titles, including Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sword and Shield, and Scarlet and Violet.

In a separate interview, he expressed a desire for a change after Scarlet and Violet, stating, “I wanted to challenge myself to create something different from the norm.” He reflected on how to present Pokémon’s appeal in a new light.

It seems Ohmori is keen on exploring unconventional approaches to Pokémon in the future. He mentioned that “there are many ways to enjoy Pokémon beyond battling,” and he aims to expand the franchise’s scope beyond traditional combat mechanics. “I will seek new possibilities to evolve them.”

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After 90 minutes with Pokémon Pokopia, I’m convinced this could be the biggest cozy game since Animal Crossing, and I can’t wait to dive in for hundreds of hours.

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