Masaaki Hoshino
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Pokemon Champions unlikely to get offline single player mode
Pokemon Champions director Masaaki Hoshino discussed the possibility of an offline single player mode, indicating it is unlikely to be implemented. While many players enjoy the current multiplayer experience, some have expressed a desire for a solo option.
As Pokemon devs hint that turn-based battles could be a thing of the past, Pokemon Champions lead says they'll…
Pokemon Champions co-directors Kazumasa Iwao and Masaaki Hoshino have discussed the future of the series' turn-based combat. While acknowledging experiments with real-time elements in titles like Pokemon Legends: Arceus, they emphasized that Pokemon Champions is designed to preserve the traditional turn-based system indefinitely. This focus on competitive battling through Pokemon Champions is seen as crucial for the longevity of the classic format.
Pokemon Champions dev explains why the game isn’t getting single-player modes
Masaaki Hoshino, director of Pokemon Champions, explained that the game will not be receiving single-player modes because the focus is on its competitive multiplayer experience. He believes adding single-player content would detract from the PvP focus and increase match times, which is counterproductive for a competitive game.
Pokemon Champions dev explains why matches are so short
Masaaki Hoshino, producer of Pokemon Champions, explained the design choice for short, four-minute matches, a reduction from the five-minute goal and even shorter than Pokemon Unite's ten-minute matches. This was achieved by streamlining animations, simultaneous effects, and an early surrender option, aiming to keep players engaged in continuous battles. The game is available on Nintendo eShop and mobile platforms.
Pokemon Champions dev explains the limited roster and comments on timing to bring new Pokemon to the game
Masaaki Hoshino, producer of Pokemon Champions, explained that the limited initial roster was to make the game more understandable for new players. He confirmed that more Pokemon and changes to held item restrictions are planned for summer, approximately three months after launch. Future updates will continue to add content gradually, with a focus on ease of understanding, especially with the upcoming smartphone version.
Pokemon Champions producer explains how they decide which Pokemon to include
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino explained in an interview that Game Freak's Shigeki Morimoto is consulted on which Pokemon are included in the game. The development team prioritizes Pokemon that are easy for new players to understand and battle with, with plans to carefully introduce mechanics like Mega Evolutions and Terastallization.
Pokemon Champions producer on how the team is deciding which Pokemon to include in the game and more
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino discussed the game's development, including the criteria for selecting which Pokemon are included and how special mechanics like Mega Evolutions and Terastallization will be implemented. The team is prioritizing ease of understanding for new players, with a focus on Pokemon that clearly demonstrate battle strengths. The game is available on Nintendo Switch.
Assassin's Creed Hexe loses another game director, and it's the second one this year
Assassin's Creed Hexe has lost its second game director this year, Benoit Richer, who has departed Ubisoft to co-found a new indie studio. This follows the earlier departure of creative director Clint Hocking, with Jean Guesdon taking over as creative director. Separately, The Pokémon Company's Masaaki Hoshino addressed criticisms of Pokémon Champions' graphics, citing development limitations compared to previous titles like Pokkén Tournament.
Pokémon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino says the game has to deal with more "limitations" when it comes to graphics
Masaaki Hoshino, producer for Pokémon Champions, addressed fan criticisms regarding the game's visual presentation and performance limitations, particularly on the Nintendo Switch. He explained that compared to Pokkén Tournament, Pokémon Champions faces more constraints, partly due to its need to run on mobile devices, though he highlighted improvements in shadows and battle effects.
Pokemon Champions producer comments on the game’s graphics
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino addressed fan concerns about the game's graphics, stating that the team aimed to balance both visuals and gameplay. He highlighted the focus on a fair and robust battle system while also incorporating specific visual elements like realistic shadows and custom battle effects. Despite past criticisms of the series' graphics, Pokemon Champions has received positive initial impressions.
Pokemon Champions patches out strategies competitive players have been using for years, but hey, at least Freeze has…
Pokemon Champions has introduced significant changes to staple mechanics like Paralysis and the move Fake Out, impacting established competitive strategies. These adjustments, which nerf the chance of paralysis immobilizing a Pokemon and restrict Fake Out's usage, are a major shakeup for the Video Game Championships (VGC). Producer Masaaki Hoshino indicated that the developers will closely monitor player behavior and the meta to make further balance adjustments.
Pokemon Champions won’t have IVs, developer explains why
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino explained that the upcoming Nintendo Switch title will remove IVs (Individual Values) to make the competitive scene more accessible. The game is scheduled to launch on April 8 for the Nintendo Switch and the unreleased Switch 2.
Pokemon Champions producer had a "heated discussion" with one of Game Freak's original battle designers about removing a complicated mechanic after 30 years to make PvP more accessible
Pokemon Champions will remove the IV stat system to make competitive play more accessible, a decision producer Masaaki Hoshino discussed with an original Game Freak battle designer. This change aims to lower the barrier to entry for players interested in the Player vs Player aspect of the series. The free-to-play title will serve as the official game for the Pokemon Video Game Championships.
Pokémon Champions Plans To Keep The Stadium Lights On For A Very Long Time
The Pokémon Company plans for Pokémon Champions to be a long-lasting live service game, with producer Masaaki Hoshino stating the goal is to keep it running "basically forever" as long as the Pokémon series continues. The free-to-start game will launch on Nintendo Switch on April 8, 2026, with a release on mobile devices later this year and a free update for the Switch 2 at launch.
Pokémon Champions Won't Let You Use Pokémon That Aren't Fully Evolved
Masaaki Hoshino, producer of Pokémon Champions, stated that only fully evolved Pokémon will be available at launch. Some exceptions, such as Pikachu and Eevee, may be included.
Pokemon Champions producer says it could run “forever” if the series does
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino stated that the game is planned to run "forever" as long as the Pokemon series continues. The free-to-start title, launching on April 8th for Nintendo Switch, features extensive customization options. Its long-term success will depend on its initial reception and solid foundations.
Interview: How An Italian Lunch Led To The New Standard For Competitive Pokémon Battling
Masaaki Hoshino, Game Producer and Development Director at The Pokémon Company, discusses the development of Pokémon Champions, an upcoming competitive battling game for the Nintendo Switch. Hoshino highlights the game's focus on accessibility for new players while maintaining depth for competitive fans, drawing inspiration from past titles like Pokkén Tournament and the core Pokémon battle system. The interview also touches on the game's planned roster expansion and the evolution of the series over its 30-year history.
Pokemon Champions dev talks future plans, could be around “forever”
Pokemon Champions will launch on April 8 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with producer Masaaki Hoshino expressing a desire for the game to be supported "forever." The game will feature evolving "Regulation Sets" to change the meta over time, and while there are no concrete plans to include every Pokemon, the team aims to add as many as possible.
Pokemon Champions could run "forever" if the series does, producer says, even if that means cramming "10,000 Pokemon" into the PvP battler as part of the process
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino stated the game is planned to be updated indefinitely, potentially including "10,000 Pokemon" in the future. He expressed a goal to include as many Pokemon as possible in the player-versus-player battler.
Pokemon Champions producer "really enjoyed" the Pokemon Stadium games, and used them as a "reference" to help more players get into PvP
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino discussed the game's focus on accessibility and simplifying high-level PvP battles for a wider audience, drawing inspiration from the Pokemon Stadium series. The game will serve as the official hub for the Video Game Championships, integrating various mechanics like Mega Evolution and Z-Moves, and is planned to evolve over time with new Pokemon and content.
