On Monday, The Pokémon Company (TPCI) held their (somewhat) annual update on the franchise for Pokémon Day. The presentation included a few non-video game announcements but mainly focused on the games.
Non Gaming Announcements
The presentation opened with talk about this years Pokémon World Championships will take place August 11 to 23, 2023 in Yokohama, Japan (and key art for the event). After that they announced Pokémon TCG Classic, a nice looking gameboard and decks that include a rerelease of the (base set) Kanto starters and new cards.
The biggest non-gaming announcement was that TPCI and Netflix are working on a new show concept called Pokémon Concierge. It’s a stop-motion animated show (description in blockquote at end of section). I love the art style, but the plot seems basic and childish.
Expanding the Pokémon world, the story follows Haru, a concierge at the ‘Pokémon Resort,’ and her interactions with Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests.
Netflix Press Release
Video Game News
Side Games
First they talked about Unite and Master EX:
From IGN:
The legendary Pokémon Zacian from Pokémon Sword is officially coming to Pokémon Unite with its Sovereign Sword special attack.
Its addition to the game is also being celebrated with a special Zacian’s Weald event and players can also pick up a gold Zacian boost emblem using the Gift Code POKEMONDAY.
Pokémon Café ReMix is getting DLC based on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC as the three starter Pokémon, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly, are coming to the game.
Available as part of the mini-games or as a new member of staff, the three new Pokémon are also joined by Victini, Mimikyu, Eevee, and Celebi who are returning as delivery candidates.
Six new classic Pokémon trainers are appearing in a rally in Pokémon Masters EX.
Cynthia from Diamond and Pearl, Iris and Alder from Black and White, Diantha from X and Y, Steven from Ruby and Sapphire, Lance from Red and Blue will be available to partner up with.
A handful of other announcements were made from the game, including for DLC inspired by Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Pokémon Sleep
I’d say that the 2nd most significant announcement of the day was that Pokémon Sleep (which was announced in 2019) would release this summer. They also revealed details about the app, “Fans will join Professor Neroli—who studies Pokémon sleep styles—and Snorlax, to research how Pokémon sleep”. Along with the game, they will release the Pokémon Go Plus+ (I agree that name sounds stupid); it’ll function as a sleep tracker for Pokémon Sleep and a regular Pokémon Go+. Pokémon Sleep will have an of integration with Pokémon Go.
Scarlett & Violet
DLC
The most significant announcement of the day was DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet; The DLC is called The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero and takes place in the mysterious area in the middle of the game map. It’ll be released in two parts: The Teal Mask (launching in fall 2023) and Part 2: The Indigo Disk, which had no announced release date. It looks fun.
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero is downloadable content (DLC) for the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games. This DLC is divided into Part 1: The Teal Mask and Part 2: The Indigo Disk. In Part 1, players will go on a school trip to Kitakami and unravel the mysteries behind the folktales that have been passed down in this land. The region has a festival happening during the season of their visit, and players will meet new friends and Pokémon. Part 1 introduces three new Pokémon and over 230 familiar Pokémon from other regions. The new Legendary Pokémon for Part 1 is called Ogerpon. In Part 2, players will travel to Blueberry Academy as exchange students, encountering more familiar and new Pokémon. The new Legendary Pokémon for Part 2 is called Terapagos.
TPCI’s press release about the DLC (summarized by ChatGPT)
Other S&V Updates
Nintendo Press Release
- Starting today, you can take part in a special Tera Raid Battle online. Try to catch one of two Paradox Pokémon: Walking Wake if you have Pokémon Scarlet or Iron Leaves if you have Pokémon Violet. Please check the game for more info*.
- Link up to Pokémon GO! You now can send postcards from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Vivillon’s pattern in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet may change based on the postcards’ location data.
- Pokémon HOME support for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet is planned for this spring. Thank you for your patience—please stay tuned for more details.
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