The hashtag #GamefreakLied trended on Twitter for hours, after alleged leaked videos showed Pokemon Sword and Shield models were taken from previous games.
These alleged leaks appear to fly in the face of GameFreak’s stated reasons for why they were not able to include the full Pokedex for the game. Previous leaks indicate that less than half of all Pokemon will be available to capture or evolve in the game.
GameFreak’s Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori previously attempted to explain why they would not be including the full Pokedex in Pokemon Sword & Shield at E3.
Nintendo Everything provides a succinct breakdown based off a Japanese interview the two gave with Famitsu back in June explaining why the Pokedex is not complete.
- They wanted to spend more time improving the graphics as the game is being released on the Nintendo Switch.
- With there being over 1000 Pokemon now in circulation, balancing the move sets has become quite difficult.
- They needed to redo the Pokemon models for Sword & Shield.
In another translation, this one from Nintendo Life, based on the same Famitsu interview, Shigeru Ohmori stated they created the models from scratch for the Nintendo Switch:
Ohmori stated:
“Masuda and I discussed this issue a great deal. Even for Pokémon Sun and Moon, it was quite a difficult situation (to make it possible to bring every Pokémon into the game). Now that we are moving to the Nintendo Switch and remaking the models from scratch, we had to make some kind of choice. That said, despite the limitation on the Pokémon that can be brought into the game, the game’s wild areas, story and other content is quite rich. I believe that players will understand that when they play the game.”
An alleged leak from 4Chan that was reposted on Reddit, appears to show that Pokemon Sword and Shield was reusing models from Pokemon Sun and Moon, and were not actually created from scratch. In fact, it appears to confirm that Pokemon like Bulbasaur that are not expected to be available in Pokemon Sword and Shield are found within the game’s code.
Here’s a look at the leaked images which include Bulbasaur and Noibat.
Related: Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Metacritic Score Revealed
Another leak from Reddit also appeared to show Sword and Shield models were identical to Sun and Moon.
Here’s a look at those images which include Pikachu, Tyranitar, Clefable, Charizard and others.
Pokemon Reveals New Gigantamax Versions of Pikachu, Eevee, Charizard, and More!
Posts under the #GameFreakLied would also indicate that the promised improved graphics might not be that stellar.
There he is, the 40 ft long whale pokemon! Perfectly sized! Glad to know that Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness that was 1. A spinoff not made by Game Freak and 2. On a console that released almost 20 years ago was able to have proper proportions but not SwSh. #GameFreakLied pic.twitter.com/5PmAZpVjas
— Corbit Robinson (@CorbitMRobinson) November 14, 2019
450+ pokemon were cut for these high quality animations #GameFreakLied pic.twitter.com/RhrPyHmhRx
— gamefreaklied-joker (@GameFreakLied93) November 13, 2019
fact – critisism is not “toxicity”
fact – having standards for a $60 product is not being “entitled”
fact – #GameFreakLied about the models being remade
supporting or even praising these pokemon titles is fine, but pretending as if game freak can’t possibly do better, is not pic.twitter.com/8aHNs4MSlx
— Misame (@Misame_exe) November 13, 2019
This is Pokemon Sword.
I received my game this morning.
I paid 60€ for this level of quality.#GameFreakLied pic.twitter.com/DJgoq1Z3Mn— Yald_ (@Yald07101021) November 13, 2019
Dragon Quest XI on Switch:
– 100+ hours worth of content
-700+ monsters all with tons of unique and charming animations
– great story
Pokemon:
– removing half of the pokemon for “better” animations
– mediocre graphics
– lying to customers #gamefreaklied pic.twitter.com/5azSWpPsLs— Dragon Dancing Barboach (@shilohryako) November 13, 2019
“Junichi Masuda reaffirms that the sheer volume of high quality animations and desire to balance further resulted in the decision to block transfer of some Pokémon”
This is some high quality animation alright pic.twitter.com/gwXJCrXLqD
— Garbage. (@shofu) June 12, 2019
Tthere does appear to be some cool animations as well.
BRUH CINDERACE EXPLODES WHEN IT FAINTS LMAO pic.twitter.com/k7dcEQ0yRu
— Blue (@PhazonLover) November 14, 2019
Nouvelle Fuite Pokemon : Attaque Signature De Cinderace !
News Leaks Pokemons : Attack Signature Of Cinderace#PokemonSwordandShield #PokemonSwordShieldleaks #Pokemonleaks #PokemonEpeeBouclier #PokemonSwordShield #pokemonspoiler #SpoilerSWSH @shistoooplays pic.twitter.com/1gCMBZqcMm
— Roildogsr (@Roildogsr_YT) November 13, 2019
However, to make matters worse, GameFreak recently indicated that they do not plan on gradually implementing Pokemon through updates.
Destructoid reports that Junichi Masuda confirmed they have no plans to implement the new Pokemon not found in the Galar Pokedex.
“We now have no plans to make the Pokemon that are missing in the Galar Pokedex in-game available. That is an approach that we want to continue with Pokemon games in the future. Of course, up to now it has not been possible to encounter every Pokemon in every game, so people had to transfer it from old games via Pokemon Bank to the new game, for example.”
Unfortunately, this looks like it is headed for disaster. The Pokemon fandom is currently split between those who support Sword & Shield no matter what, and those who feel betrayed.
Gamefreak has to do some sort of damage control or risk a bad launch that will divide the fanbase forever.
As much as some people want to wait and gather more information, the information that continues to come out makes GameFreak look dishonest.
You can bet that this game will be one of the most controversial in recent history, joining Battlefield V and Fallout 76.
But the real loser is the fans, as infighting and division will not go away anytime soon. Stay tuned for more details as launch day approaches.
What’s your take? Did Gamefreak lie? Share your thoughts below.