Why we haven't heard of a 5th gen yet and why we won't in a while

[Mitchman]

I've been thinking of this for a while and only now has it come to my mind why. Its so obvious yet I dunno how certain I can be. As we know Nintendo now has a policy for showing a game months before its reveal. Now while Pokemon has always been free of Nintendo to be in the control of Gamefreak more, I think the times are a-changing. Where Gamefreak would give a heads up to the Anime and reveal a Pokemon 2 years before the next gen or so, this might be what's changing. Due to Nintendo's policy, being a 2nd part company Gamefreak might be restricted from doing so ever again. With that, any signs of a 5th gen are likely only to pop up in 2011 for the 5th gen to come out then, or even in 2012 to come out then. Of course I could be wrong, and no policies will hold back Gamefreak but everything is possible and this certainly is.

 

[Magmaster12]

I think it's because nintendo doesn't want people to start thinking they're soon going to have a next generation console.

 

[Mitchman]

That isn't too much the case. Nintendo has always had a new handheld revealed before a new generation was. To be honest the handheld fiasco right now seems to be the least of any problems.

 

[Silktree]

That isn't too much the case. Nintendo has always had a new handheld revealed before a new generation was.

Magmortar's point is that a new handheld has to be revealed before the first sign of Generation V is shown, or else people may assume that the games will be designed for the DS. With rumors pertaining to Nintendo only announcing the DS successor in late 2010 (and few people expecting that to happen beforehand), Generation V will most likely still be kept as a secret throughout next year. The only reason Ho-Oh showed up well before the GBC was that Gold and Silver were originally designed for the GB.

But I do think that the Generation V games will be confirmed to be in development once the successor is released in 2011, much like was the case with Diamond and Pearl in October 2004. Despite Nintendo's policy, letting fans know that they have a reason to buy the successor right away in preparation for the new generation just seems like the most sensible choice. However, I don't think the games themselves will be released in 2011, as that would essentially make them launch games and would go against Game Freak's decision to hold off on hiring new employees until 2011. More importantly, if Generation IV is going to be the longest generation yet despite Diamond and Pearl being released two years into the DS' lifetime, how long will Generation V be if its main version are released as soon as possible?

Now, the question is if a Generation V Pokémon can debut in Movie 14 a few months prior to the successor's release, which is what happened with Munchlax in 2004. In Generation III's case, the reveal of Azurill, Kecleon and Wailmer coincided with the GBA's release date, but that was in early 2001 - ahead of the Movie 4 premiere. This is where Nintendo's change in policy may have a real effect.

I think that what will ultimately determine how soon in 2011 the first sign of Generation V will be shown, is what content the remainder of Generation IV will have that can be promoted in Movie 14. I don't think that Celebi alone will do it for Movie 13, but combined with the Rock/Lock Capsule, it should be enough as long as the game for which the latter is intended presents itself in late 2010. In that case, the new game should have a sizable new event other than the Rock/Lock Capsule, which will be the focus of Movie 14, making it possible for Nintendo to keep Generation V under wraps for a while longer. But even if Generation V is promoted through Movie 14 (no doubt to a lesser extent compared to Movie 15), there should still be a game promotion for the newest main series game available in 2011.

 

[Cybersai]

More importantly, if Generation IV is going to be the longest generation yet despite Diamond and Pearl being released two years into the DS' lifetime, what's going to happen with Generation V if its main version are released as soon as possible?

Honestly, what are you saying? That there should be a 5-6 year gap between Gen IV and V? Gen V being a launch title would be ideal, even if it probably won't happen.

If Gen V comes out in 2012, that's 6 years for one generation.

 

[Mitchman]

6 years is what is most likely to happen Scott, there is no point denying it. Just the thing I want to point out is that in these 6 years only a couple of months, a year the most would have a 5th gen Pokemon featured, unlike previous gens which had 2 years behind em. With that as UL said movie 13 and 14 will have something to go along for HGSS or even something in 2010 which will be the final 4th gen main game. Also movie 14 featuring one and then in 2012 it coming out would make sense to fit in with the policy.

 

[Cybersai]

6 years is what is most likely to happen Scott, there is no point denying it.

Which is pretty bad. It's also taking its toll on the anime which is why Sinnoh is being stretched out to an absurd degree.

 

[Flare Blitz]

If Gen V comes out in 2012, that's 6 years for one generation.

So what? Each generation gets longer and longer, the next generation onsole probably won't be out until 2011 and I doubt it will be a launch-title. At this rate, it will come out in 2012.

Even if we haven't heard of an *official* confirmation, if you have a brain, HGSS pretty much confirmed one even with a little preview of future place. *coughShintoRuinscough*

 

[Cybersai]

So what? Each generation gets longer and longer, the next generation onsole probably won't be out until 2011 and I doubt it will be a launch-title. At this rate, it will come out in 2012.

Nintendo can't keep the momentum going without new Pokemon to capture every 4-5 years. Remakes can only go so far.

 

[Mitchman]

I have a feeling this thread is going to derail and derail hard.I don't mean it as a 5th gen topic genero style but a reasoning that is plausible as to why the delay is so.

 

[Silktree]

That there should be a 5-6 year gap between Gen IV and V?

At this point, we should all agree that five years is the very minimum, seeing as the next handheld won't be out in 2010 and releasing Generation V towards the end of the DS's lifetime would be foolish. Beyond that, releasing the Generation V entries as launch titles may make the current generation be less stretched out, but it will ultimately just lead to the first entries not being as good as they can be, and to the next generation lasting even longer than six years.

The only possibility I'm dreading is more than two years going by without a new main series installment. Even two years is too long.

 

[Mitchman]

Shit look at DP for a main example as to why launch titles won't work. Okay Pt and HgSs are wonky in the same way DP was but hell it wasn't as bad as this:

Look at that! Square cliffs ffs, not blending like Pt,HgSs had.

 

[Sleet]

Which is pretty bad. It's also taking its toll on the anime which is why Sinnoh is being stretched out to an absurd degree.

I don't really think so. That's about how long a console generation is, which handhelds tend to approximately match. Plus, the longer we wait, the more time they have to perfect it.

And I'm sure you're aware, but I just want to make clear, the game designers don't give a care about the anime besides that it exists and it generates hype. The anime will adapt to whatever they do.

 

[Cybersai]

I don't really think so. That's about how long a console generation is, which handhelds tend to approximately match. Plus, the longer we wait, the more time they have to perfect it.

But if they don't even have the design specs for the next handheld yet, we have to wait for another 2 years of development time for the game to come out. DP came out in 2006...the 5th gen would come out in late 2012 or even 2013...that's an insanely long gap.

Remakes and third versions can only go so far. People want new Pokemon to capture. Nintendo has given us at least 100 new Pokemon every 3-4 years, going 6 years+ without any new Pokemon is sure to make the franchise lose some steam.

And I'm sure you're aware, but I just want to make clear, the game designers don't give a care about the anime besides that it exists and it generates hype. The anime will adapt to whatever they do.

I'm sure it will, but it sucks for anime watchers. Spending 200+ episodes in a single region is really taking its toll.

 

[Juicy Jazzy]

Shit look at DP for a main example as to why launch titles won't work. Okay Pt and HgSs are wonky in the same way DP was but hell it wasn't as bad as this:

Look at that! Square cliffs ffs, not blending like Pt,HgSs had.

I don't understand the jaggies myself. It should be smooth like Children of Mana is.

 

[Magmaster12]

No GF really rushes the first pokemon games that's what I think it's the reason why the pokemon they have in the opening is always one of the first to be revealed, marill, azurill, and munchlax. Also it would explain why the new evolutions they had at the end of pokedex in GS and DP aren't in the game because they were probably thought up at the last minute it's also probably the only reason why they come out with a third version also well besides money of course.

I'm also aware this means GF works on pokemon games from start to finish.

 

[Mitchman]

No GF really rushes the first pokemon games that's what I think it's the reason why the pokemon they have in the opening is always one of the first to be revealed, marill, azurill, and munchlax. Also it would explain why the new evolutions they had at the end of pokedex in GS and DP aren't in the game because they were probably thought up at the last minute it's also probably the only reason why they come out with a third version also well besides money of course.

I'm also aware this means GF works on pokemon games from start to finish.

Gamefreak rushing them is like saying Nintendo rushes on them there Zelda games. They got more then enough time to finish and polish them. Just when dealing with new handhelds its always a road of shit for them until they get to the final final stages where more shit comes in with a more advanced handheld. Its always going to be like that unfortunately.

 

[NyaChan]

I get the point that new Handheld = New Gen, but since when is that the ONLY way we can get a new Gen? Gen 1 and 2 were both on GB/C, so while, yes New console = definite new gen, we can't entirely rule out the idea that we can get Gen 5 also on the DS. I'm not saying that's how it's going to happen, just stating the fact it could happen that way, I mean the DS is still pretty popular, right?

 

[Mitchman]

Nya, you're forgetting this is the biggest, most silliest fandumb since, well is there anything bigger then the internet bowels of Pokemon? Things are taken as proof, proof is used as evidence, and said proof and evidence crumbles under all their theories and beliefs. And I'm damn proud to be part of the theories and beliefs group of crumbling dreams.

 

[Luxio2k8]

It seems that Nintendo isn’t ready to reveal any news about Gen V for whatever reason. I guess it’ll be 2011 the earliest for Gen V, but that is defiantly the longest gap between generations for Pokémon.