Pokémon Developers Faced a Major Challenge Creating Pokopia as a Non-RPG Experience

Ohmori is a veteran of the series, having previously directed iconic mainline entries like Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sword and Shield, and Scarlet and Violet.

However, in a separate interview with GamerBraves, he admitted he was looking for a fresh creative hurdle.

Following the release of Scarlet and Violet, Ohmori felt the urge to push beyond his comfort zone. “I wanted to challenge myself by crafting a game that felt distinct from our usual work,” he explained. While brainstorming concepts that deviated from the main series, he focused on “how to present the charm and appeal of Pokémon through an entirely different lens.”

It appears Ohmori is eager to continue exploring unconventional Pokémon projects in the future. He mentioned to VGC that “there are so many ways to engage with Pokémon that don’t involve combat,” adding that he hopes to expand the series’ horizons. “I want to explore new possibilities for growing the Pokémon universe beyond the battle arena.”

My 90-minute preview of Pokémon Pokopia left me convinced that this could be the most significant ‘cozy’ game since Animal Crossing, and I’m already looking forward to getting lost in its world.