Generation VI: The Future

[Silktree]

They're almost certainly doing some kind of full game relating to XY, there's more to be done with Zygarde and Kalos as a whole, and DLC isn't big or significant enough to satisfy that.

I beg to differ. And whatever they do with Kalos, it should be done this year before people lose interest in it. By the time a new region is introduced, most people won't see Zygarde as a big deal, and Kalos won't even have nostalgia going for it.

I don't see regular DLC happening considering how long it's been since XY's release. But with the advent of Nintendo releasing smartphone apps featuring their characters, I can see Game Freak releasing an app for both eShop and smartphones (they've done it for Solitiba). It would serve to appease existing players as well as attracting new ones who have yet to buy a 3DS. Porting even a sample of the main series' formula to smartphones would send the wrong message, but they could leave out the battle gameplay and just focus on telling a story for once.

In terms of content, the main idea is distributing Volcanion, Eternal Floette and Zygarde's moves (this would work via Pokémon Link). They could do anything to set up the distributions, but a mini-game akin to Dream Radar would be awkward (at least for Floette and Zygarde). A mini adventure game about Kalos' history would be ideal in my opinion. If they were to introduce Zygarde's forms in such an app, they could release a patch for XY and ORAS to accommodate the new data. But marketing-wise, it would make sense to have the forms be exclusive to the next generation (requiring a transfer) even if they had a role in the app.

The former would be more of a 6.5, it'd be a new generation with new Pokemon, but it would be connected to Kalos so it wouldn't quite be "new".

We call the Johto games Generation II, don't we? The focus was still on Johto (Kanto was a post-game region), and the same should go for any new region. It certainly isn't going to have Zygarde as the mascot. But considering that the Strange Souvenir region is said to be far from Kalos, I doubt that they will be connected.

A lot of people held off buying the 3DS because none of their core games were on it. Nintendo should learn from that. If they're not opening with a Zelda or Mario Kart, then open with a main series Pokemon game.

Asking Game Freak to prepare a new generation for a system's launch would be asking them to do a worse job than they did with DP and XY. Reducing the release gap to a year (compared to 2.5 years in the 3DS and XY's case) would be a more reasonable expectation. If they release Generation VII for the 3DS (with n3DS enhancements), then for 2017 they should release n3DS-exclusive versions which would motivate non-n3DS owners (likely the majority of players) to jump to the NX.

 

[Snowy]

Future of Gen 6? Maybe a mystery dungeon game would be great... but the main series should go straight to Gen 7.

Only if they return to what made PMD amazing, AKA Explorers Of Time/Darkness/Sky. GtI probably killed the spin-off, it was so poorly received. Meanwhile PMD: EoT/D/S are generally considered the best installment, and my personal all-time favorite Pokémon games, with Platinum not far behind.

I am going to have to disagree. I found Gates to Infinity to be one of the best pokemon games. I would definitely play a Pmd game similar to gti.

EDIT: As long as it has no mega evolution, that is...

 

[Bolt Strike]

I beg to differ. And whatever they do with Kalos, it should be done this year before people lose interest in it. By the time a new region is introduced, most people won't see Zygarde as a big deal, and Kalos won't even have nostalgia going for it.

You're really underestimating the marketing potential that a mascot legendary carries. It doesn't matter if it's 2-3 years, they can still sell another Kalos game. People aren't that ADD that they would completely ignore a game from 3 years ago. Just having an awesome legendary on the cover and some interesting improvements over XY is enough to sell a new Kalos game.

And if they never intended to use Zygarde as a game mascot, why did they even create him or his forms in the first place? They're not that shortsighted that they wouldn't have had some idea of where they wanted to go with Kalos around that time.

I don't see regular DLC happening considering how long it's been since XY's release. But with the advent of Nintendo releasing smartphone apps featuring their characters, I can see Game Freak releasing an app for both eShop and smartphones (they've done it for Solitiba). It would serve to appease existing players as well as attracting new ones who have yet to buy a 3DS. Porting even a sample of the main series' formula to smartphones would send the wrong message, but they could leave out the battle gameplay and just focus on telling a story for once.

In terms of content, the main idea is distributing Volcanion, Eternal Floette and Zygarde's moves (this would work via Pokémon Link). They could do anything to set up the distributions, but a mini-game akin to Dream Radar would be awkward (at least for Floette and Zygarde). A mini adventure game about Kalos' history would be ideal in my opinion. If they were to introduce Zygarde's forms in such an app, they could release a patch for XY and ORAS to accommodate the new data. But marketing-wise, it would make sense to have the forms be exclusive to the next generation (requiring a transfer) even if they had a role in the app.

That would be even worse. They are sure as hell not distributing major legendaries through a smartphone app. Nothing short of a full game with the Zygarde forms as mascots is really appropriate, they're going to want full games that focus on them to grab the most attention and make money on. Floette and Volcanion will probably tie into those games as well.

 

[Snowy]

And if they never intended to use Zygarde as a game mascot, why did they even create him or his forms in the first place? They're not that shortsighted that they wouldn't have had some idea of where they wanted to go with Kalos around that time..

Arceus was never used as a mascot.

 

[Silktree]

You're really underestimating the marketing potential that a mascot legendary carries. It doesn't matter if it's 2-3 years, they can still sell another Kalos game. People aren't that ADD that they would completely ignore a game from 3 years ago. Just having an awesome legendary on the cover and some interesting improvements over XY is enough to sell a new Kalos game.

I assume that you at least agree that Zygarde isn't going to be used as the mascot of a new region, so what you're really talking about is a Kalos game released in 2017. That's 3.5-4 years after XY's release, and again, by then people will be more interested in older regions. That's what happens in a generational transition.

They are sure as hell not distributing major legendaries through a smartphone app. Nothing short of a full game with the Zygarde forms as mascots is really appropriate, they're going to want full games that focus on them to grab the most attention and make money on.

Your saying this doesn't make it true. There are plenty of other games they could make; they don't need Zygarde in the context of a new generation.

And if they never intended to use Zygarde as a game mascot, why did they even create him or his forms in the first place? They're not that shortsighted that they wouldn't have had some idea of where they wanted to go with Kalos around that time.

Why did they create hidden moves for it in XY if they don't intend to release them by the end of this generation? And I don't see why a Pokémon not being a mascot means that it shouldn't exist at all. Last I checked, Kalos only has three non-event legendaries.

Floette and Volcanion will probably tie into those games as well.

So you don't expect them to be distributed during this generation, either?

 

[Bolt Strike]

Arceus was never used as a mascot.

Arceus was never intended to be a mascot in the first place, he's an event legendary. They didn't plan an entire game around him like they are with Zygarde.

 

[Silktree]

Arceus was never intended to be a mascot in the first place, he's an event legendary. They didn't plan an entire game around him like they are with Zygarde.

Newsflash: You're just assuming that they're planning such a game. It's circular logic.

 

[Snowy]

Arceus was never used as a mascot.

Arceus was never intended to be a mascot in the first place, he's an event legendary. They didn't plan an entire game around him like they are with Zygarde.

Do you have any evidence to support this assumption? Because the way I see it, Zygarde is just another Arceus. Another Moltres. It's not special.

 

[WallflowerCanyon]

First of all, why are we comparing Arceus with Zygarde? Arceus is classified as a Mythical and not Legendary, which means it's only obtainable through an event. Secondly, it's rightfully classified as a Mythical because it's supposed to be the "god" of all Pokemon. Zygarde is obviously part of a main regional Trio(like Rayquaza, Giratina, and Kyurem before it) and can be caught in-game in X/Y. Arceus is meant to be above all current Legendaries in terms of lore status, and cannot be caught in-game, and I get the feeling it's gonna stay that way for Arceus in particular.

 

[BlackButterfree]

Future of Gen 6? Maybe a mystery dungeon game would be great... but the main series should go straight to Gen 7.

Only if they return to what made PMD amazing, AKA Explorers Of Time/Darkness/Sky. GtI probably killed the spin-off, it was so poorly received. Meanwhile PMD: EoT/D/S are generally considered the best installment, and my personal all-time favorite Pokémon games, with Platinum not far behind.

I am going to have to disagree. I found Gates to Infinity to be one of the best pokemon games. I would definitely play a Pmd game similar to gti.

EDIT: As long as it has no mega evolution, that is...

GtI had a very, very limited selection of Pokémon compared to Sky's 492 (only missing Arceus, who still makes a cameo!), so no, I would never want another GtI. I want to be able to play as any Starter I wish, and have any Pokémon I please.

But either way, a new PMD game and a new Pokémon Ranger game are both a must. And sadly, both will feature Mega Evolution. Pokémon Rangers are all about friendship and trust with wild Pokémon, and since the player in PMD is always a transformed human, they can exploit that by having any Pokémon in your team be able to Mega Evolve because of their bond with you. (Presumably, you yourself wouldn't be able to go Mega.)

 

[Snowy]

Future of Gen 6? Maybe a mystery dungeon game would be great... but the main series should go straight to Gen 7.

Only if they return to what made PMD amazing, AKA Explorers Of Time/Darkness/Sky. GtI probably killed the spin-off, it was so poorly received. Meanwhile PMD: EoT/D/S are generally considered the best installment, and my personal all-time favorite Pokémon games, with Platinum not far behind.

I am going to have to disagree. I found Gates to Infinity to be one of the best pokemon games. I would definitely play a Pmd game similar to gti.

EDIT: As long as it has no mega evolution, that is...

GtI had a very, very limited selection of Pokémon compared to Sky's 492 (only missing Arceus, who still makes a cameo!), so no, I would never want another GtI. I want to be able to play as any Starter I wish, and have any Pokémon I please.

But either way, a new PMD game and a new Pokémon Ranger game are both a must. And sadly, both will feature Mega Evolution. Pokémon Rangers are all about friendship and trust with wild Pokémon, and since the player in PMD is always a transformed human, they can exploit that by having any Pokémon in your team be able to Mega Evolve because of their bond with you. (Presumably, you yourself wouldn't be able to go Mega.)

That can't be the only reason you disliked GTI, surely

I don't know... putting my hatred for mega evolution aside, i'm not sure a PMD game would include megas. I mean, Mega Evolution is supposed to be about the bond between Pokemon and trainer. You aren't a trainer, in PMD. You're a companion.

But, anything is possible.

First of all, why are we comparing Arceus with Zygarde? Arceus is classified as a Mythical and not Legendary, which means it's only obtainable through an event. Secondly, it's rightfully classified as a Mythical because it's supposed to be the "god" of all Pokemon. Zygarde is obviously part of a main regional Trio(like Rayquaza, Giratina, and Kyurem before it) and can be caught in-game in X/Y. Arceus is meant to be above all current Legendaries in terms of lore status, and cannot be caught in-game, and I get the feeling it's gonna stay that way for Arceus in particular.

I think you missed the point. The point is that at the moment, there is no proof that Zygarde is anything more than a filler legendary. Zygarde is Moltres. Zygarde is Entei. Zygrade is Regirock.

Is it possible they are creating a game with Zygarde as the mascot? Sure. Anything is possible. But as it stands right now, i seriously doubt it. Heck, for all we know, Volcanion might be the next games mascot.

And then, for all we know... The next mascots could be a paired game with Mega Xerneas and Mega Yveltal. (Please, Game Freak, no.)

All that aside, personally, i hope the next core series game is a new generation in a new region.

 

[Apawn:p]

I think you missed the point. The point is that at the moment, there is no proof that Zygarde is anything more than a filler legendary. Zygarde is Moltres. Zygarde is Entei. Zygrade is Regirock.

Say Hello to my little friends *spoilers*

Spoiler

Thousand Arrows Thousand Waves

Spoiler

Two Signature moves for him, proof is same power and type as Lands Wrath, and uses Zygarde Scales in its Animation
:lol:

 

[Bolt Strike]

I think you missed the point. The point is that at the moment, there is no proof that Zygarde is anything more than a filler legendary. Zygarde is Moltres. Zygarde is Entei. Zygrade is Regirock.

Is it possible they are creating a game with Zygarde as the mascot? Sure. Anything is possible. But as it stands right now, i seriously doubt it. Heck, for all we know, Volcanion might be the next games mascot.

And then, for all we know... The next mascots could be a paired game with Mega Xerneas and Mega Yveltal. (Please, Game Freak, no.)

All that aside, personally, i hope the next core series game is a new generation in a new region.

Oh please, let's not kid ourselves. Zygarde is quite obviously Xerneas and Yveltal's third. The name follows Xerneas and Yveltal's pattern (beginning with X, Y, and Z), and like those two, his design matches his letter. His lore implies that he protects the Kalos region's ecosystem. What could affect Kalos' ecosystem? How about the Ultimate Weapon and legendaries that control life and death? And then there's the hidden moves that @Apawn; brought up, which in addition to being obvious signature moves to new forms of Zygarde, are also meant to counter Xerneas and Yveltal. The signs are all over the place, you'd have to be blind not to see it.

Again, if they didn't intend for him to be used as a mascot, they wouldn't have created him this way, and it'd take a complete disaster for them to cancel a main series Pokemon game.

 

[Zeb]

Zygade is very explicitly tied to Xerneas and Yveltal in Aura Break, it's currently a lot weaker than both of them and has two unreleased very unique moves. It's pretty much the Kyurem situation all over again; Zygarde is definitely set up to for something in the future. Something is going to happen with it - 600 BST screams Mega(s) to bring it up to 700 unlike Kyurem which was/is 660 iirc? I mean it hasn't even had its own movie yet, so writing it off as a filler legendary is just foolish when they haven't even started bringing it into the advertising spotlight.

And I don't see it being shoved off to the side in some app or side-game personally. Regardless of what Game Freak said in interviews, I just don't see Zygarde not getting its own game.

 

[Dr. Buni]

I am hoping for a "Z" version (not necessarily named Z) with huge improvements over XY, like Platinum was to DP. I feel that an improved XY has the potential to be the best game in the series. At the same time, I would like Game Freak to surprise us again, like they did with Black 2 and White 2 and do something entirely different and original. Well, whatever they do (if they do, actually do we even know if they are developing another Pokémon for the 3DS?), I hope it isn't disappointing this time.

 

[skyradiant]

Another reason Zygarde has more prominence than stuff like Moltres or Regirock is that it has the same battle theme as Xerneas and Yveltal, the two main mascot legendaries.

 

[WallflowerCanyon]

I'm almost certain something is going to be done with Zygarde, and like what has been pointed out in the last few posts, the evidence is right there in front of us. I don't understand why people continue to write off/push aside the poor guy like nothing's gonna happen, when it's pretty clear that they're setting it up for something meant for Kalos. I'm sorry, but I think it's ridiculous how some people have downplayed a potentially unbalanced ecosystem relating to Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde like it's nothing, when they are clearly situated with LIFE and DEATH. If you have no idea how life and death relates to the overall health of an ecosystem, please go look it up. It's all connected.

While I myself wouldn't mind exactly how they do it, doing it via DLC would be a cop-out when they could use a whole game to fix all of the problems that are present in X/Y before we move on to Gen 7. I don't think it would necessarily have to be the typical 3rd version, either. I'm confident that they'll come up with something, regardless of what it is. If another Gen 6 installment is to be released in the latter part of this year, we still have April and May to hear about it. Since we didn't get anything new this month from CoroCoro, I wouldn't be surprised if we hear something next month or in May.

 

[Snowy]

Oh please, let's not kid ourselves. Zygarde is quite obviously Xerneas and Yveltal's third.

Not denying that.

The name follows Xerneas and Yveltal's pattern (beginning with X, Y, and Z), and like those two, his design matches his letter. His lore implies that he protects the Kalos region's ecosystem. What could affect Kalos' ecosystem? How about the Ultimate Weapon and legendaries that control life and death? And then there's the hidden moves that @Apawn; brought up, which in addition to being obvious signature moves to new forms of Zygarde, are also meant to counter Xerneas and Yveltal. The signs are all over the place, you'd have to be blind not to see it.

Again, if they didn't intend for him to be used as a mascot, they wouldn't have created him this way,

None of that is proof of him being intended to be used as a mascot.

With Zygarde, i waltzed in there and unceremoniously captured him. With the first ball i threw. He wasn't that hard to catch. There was no story hints. No build up. Nothing to suggest this pokemon is important. He just popped into existance in the same way Moltres did... and disappeared into my poke ball with the same grace that Moltres did. Actually, he was easier than Moltres.

and it'd take a complete disaster for them to cancel a main series Pokemon game.

Unless you have insider information from Game Freak, there is no proof that Pokemon Z exists or will ever exist.

I do recall a quote from the Pokemon headshots that they were already working on gen 7 not long after X and Y's release.

My theory?

I think one of two things will happen. Either:

Similar to Generation 5, we'll get another set of paired games. Zygarde is possible, but i think it's more likely to be primal/mega forms of X and Y's mascots. It'll take place in Kalos 2 to 5 years later.

OR

The next core series game we'll get is generation 7.


Either way, i think people are overstating the importance of the filler pokemon called Zygarde.

 

[Bolt Strike]

None of that is proof of him being intended to be used as a mascot.

You're in denial then. The only way it could be any clearer is if they came out and said it.

With Zygarde, i waltzed in there and unceremoniously captured him. With the first ball i threw. He wasn't that hard to catch. There was no story hints. No build up. Nothing to suggest this pokemon is important. He just popped into existance in the same way Moltres did... and disappeared into my poke ball with the same grace that Moltres did. Actually, he was easier than Moltres.

So? It's been the same way for every third legendary. They leave their connection to the storyline intentionally vague to surprise the player in the next game. It wasn't clear that Rayquaza was connected to Groudon and Kyogre in RS, you just went to Sky Pillar and caught him and the only thing they said about him was that he lived in the ozone layer. Neither was it clear that Giratina was connected to Dialga/Palkia in DP, he was just a random legendary guarding a cemetery. And Kyurem in BW1? He lived in a random ice cave and had a vague myth that it's a monster that comes out at night. Zygarde is no more vague than those three.

Unless you have insider information from Game Freak, there is no proof that Pokemon Z exists or will ever exist.

How many times do I have to say it? If they made a third mascot, then clearly they had a followup to XY in mind at some point.

 

[Silktree]

Since we didn't get anything new this month from CoroCoro, I wouldn't be surprised if we hear something next month or in May.

Good luck with that. They still haven't unveiled Hoopa Unbound, Rumble World or Detective Pikachu.