Pokemon fans may want to tread carefully right now, and not just because Pokemon Legends: ZA leaked a few days before release. Based on the material currently circulating online, it looks like Game Freak has suffered a much bigger leak than the individual game. The content, which presumably coincides with the timeline of the next Pokemon games, shows what could be next for the 10th generation of the mainline Pokemon games. But can this be believed? There are reasons to believe the leaks are legitimate, and there are reasons to be skeptical.
We know Game Freak really suffered major information leak back in 2024 For what Nintendo filed the subpoena earlier this yearin hopes of catching whoever was behind the leak. The leak, which fans are calling “teralake”, contained a shocking amount of information not only about games such as Pokemon Legends: ZAbut also a treasure trove of materials that were never intended for public consumption. This included concept art and development documentation for both new and old Pokémon games. The poster then suggested that they weren't sharing everything they purchased from Game Freak, such as the game's source code. Pokemon Legends: ZA. This will mean that additional information could potentially be leaked in the future.
Fast forward to now and leaked social media accounts are once again distributing a staggering amount of Pokemon content that supposedly comes from the same source. Moreover, these are leak accounts that have a proven track record of Pokemon leaks in the past, such as when Pokemon Legends: ZAMega Evolutions were published online several months ahead of schedule.. It's unclear whether the material actually comes from the same information source, especially since the people involved may be in or about to be involved in a legal battle with Nintendo. Nintendo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Another reason the leak seems plausible is the volume and quality of materials floating around. The leaks include dozens of pages of apparent documents with proposals for Pokemon Sword And Shieldconcept art and beta footage Pokemon Legends: ZA. Some of this material is what generative AI could supposedly create, given that Pokémon games have a distinct art style that can be emulated. But things like hand-drawn maps or unpolished gameplay footage seem much more difficult to pull off given their imperfect nature.
The material is also grainy, so it doesn't look carefully selected. It's easy to believe that someone could be motivated to trick people into believing they know the secrets of the next mainline Pokemon game. It's unlikely that anyone will take the time to compile a collection boring graphs And Excel tables. Not impossible, but unlikely.
With all that said, what are the presenters actually saying about the next major Pokemon games? Concept for Next Big Pokemon Games According to Leaked Documents Pokemon Wind And Wavesand their release is scheduled for 2026. The game set will reportedly feature procedurally generated islands loosely based on Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Unlike most major Pokemon games, Wind And Waves will presumably start in a big city rather than a small town. These games are said to have a greater emphasis on survival than previous games, including the ability to explore jungles and underwater regions. Particular attention will be paid to weather elements, which will also become the theme of future legends. There will be a new type of creature called “seed” Pokemon, but the specifics of their functions are currently under debate. The leaks even claim to describe what fans can expect from rivals and enemy organizations. Get this: the villain this time will presumably be engaged in land development, which is contrary to the wild nature, Wind And Wave will presumably allow players to explore.
While some of these ideas border on the fantasy, could Game Freak really create a game that could endlessly create new areas when Scarlet And Violet barely handled open world environments? — some details make sense on paper. It sounds plausible that Game Freak's newest Pokemon games are exploring what was fashionable years ago—in this case, survival games, open-world environments, and procedural generation. It is also worth noting that Sword And Shield were partially limited by the power of the original Switch. Any future games will not be cross-platform, which will supposedly free up Game Freak to pursue more technically challenging gameplay concepts.
The other huge asterisk to note is that even if everything that's going on around you is true, game development is unlikely to go according to plan. Five years is a long time. Ideas may change later or be completely rejected. Namely: beta frames Pokemon Legends: ZA showcases intended gameplay mechanics that almost certainly won't be in the final game, such as third-person shooting mechanics and parkour. Both of these mechanics sound like they belong in completely different games than one. Pokemon Legends: ZA it turned out, according to preview and its pre-marketing.
In addition to the main games, leaks claim that they have the next five years of The Pokémon Company planned out. For example, in the next few years there will be an exciting game that include several regions from previous gameswhich the player can explore freely.
The thing is, leaks don't always end. Earlier this year, there were rumors that the 10th generation of Pokemon games was going to take place in Greece. Now these the same sources say something completely different. What has changed this time is that there is much more circumstantial evidence that makes the claims plausible. And the details are strangely specific, e.g. footage of water wave simulation And unfinished terrain.
But until Game Freak announces it? Take everything you see about Pokemon with a grain of salt.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the year in which the leak was claimed. Wind And Waves will be released on.
