Pokémon Switch has the potential to become an MMO, with an open world and high-quality online multiplayer. However, how likely is it that we will see an official Pokémon MMO on the Switch?
At E3 2017, Pokémon for the Nintendo Switch was announced. This will be a main title of the well-known RPG series, which has so far only appeared on handheld devices. The Nintendo Switch offers the power of a home console and gives Pokémon the potential to become a full-fledged MMO. But how likely is that?
What is in favor of a Pokémon MMO on the Switch?
The CEO of the Pokémon Company sees the potential: The previous main entries of the RPG series were single-player games. An interview between the CEO of the Pokémon Company and Bloomberg revealed that the Nintendo Switch could change that. Ishihara emphasized in the interview that the Switch is an opportunity to create a deeply engaging Pokémon with a high expressive power. For the television, completely new graphics and sounds could be possible.
“Previously, the [Pokémon]Games were designed for people who could play 1vs1. But now it is possible to go home and play with anyone [online worldwide]. How do we approach these topics and how do we make it as uncomplicated as possible?” Ishihara said. This could suggest that the minds behind Pokémon Switch are now considering how to fully utilize and implement the complete online multiplayer experience.
The power of the Switch would allow for MMOs: The Switch has enough power to handle modern games. Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was released for the device. So why not a Pokémon MMO?
The game world is made for an open-world MMO: In Pokémon, everything revolves around discovering and exploring the Pokémon world. The RPG series has always invited players to freely explore and discover the Pokémon and their world. Fighting, collecting, and trading with other players has always been a major incentive of Pokémon games and fits the social gaming approach of MMOs.
There could even be different factions or jobs. Whether it’s a villain stealing Pokémon or a breeder who knows how to create the perfect stats for Pokémon. Legendary Pokémon could even appear as raid bosses.
What speaks against a Pokémon MMO on the Switch?
Developers at Game Freak only have experience with handheld platforms: A major concern may be the developers’ lack of experience in developing for a modern home console. The team behind the Pokémon RPG series has only developed for handheld platforms for over two decades. Experience with consoles and multiplayer is largely absent. If the developers opted for an MMO, this project would likely involve significant risks.
Game Freak warned against having too high expectations for the Switch: In an interview with Nintendo Insider Junichi Masuda, a co-founder of Game Freak, discussed Pokémon Switch. He expressed concerns that fans might have too high expectations for Pokémon Switch. He also emphasized that the developers lack experience with stationary home consoles. There is a lot of pressure on the team.
The chances of a full-fledged Pokémon MMO are low – at least for now
Leya says: Even though like many other fans I’ve long dreamed of a Pokémon with an open world and high-quality multiplayer, I am currently skeptical. The developers will already have enough to do to adapt the UI and graphics to the Nintendo Switch. I can easily imagine that some mechanics will be simplified or fundamentally revised and modernized.
A full-fledged MMO would likely represent a significant challenge at this point. I would also cry on the inside if a quick attempt in this direction completely backfired.
So far, I have enjoyed every single game in the RPG series and would be disappointed if the big premiere on the home console were “ruined” by overly high expectations. I see an official Pokémon MMO in the future, but the upcoming Switch RPG will probably not take that place.
Nevertheless, I am already looking forward to Pokémon Switch and am curious about what to expect. I hope that at E3 2018 we will finally hear more than the crumbs that have been known so far.
What do you think? Could Pokémon Switch maybe become an MMO and would you even want that?
The Mobile game by Niantic is currently the closest to an MMO. Check out our topic page for Pokémon-GO
