Pokémon developer staffing up for new console game

Pokémon series developer Game Freak is hiring, and that could signal a new title is on the way for the Nintendo Switch.

Game Freak’s recent work includes Pokémon Sun and Moon, a pair of Nintendo 3DS titles that came out in November of last year. It’s been rumored that a third related game, possibly codenamed “Pokémon Stars,” is in the works for the Nintendo Switch. The positions, recently added to recruiting website Indeed, are conspicuous for a number of reasons. The first is for a “new title character modeler” to create “deformed toon-like person, monster, item models.” The successful applicant would have experience with Wii U or PlayStation Vita development.

A second opening, for a character designer and also posted online, is a bit more on the nose.

“An opportunity to be involved in the development of the worldwide popular RPG,” says the job posting. “Since it is a title that has been released for a long time, the development environment is also very well set.”

The Pokémon Company confirmed last fall that it would be supporting the Nintendo Switch. Chief executive officer Tsunekazu Ishihara has even gone on the record to say the company would need to rethink its strategy in order to do so.

“Pokemon has been about being portable, but now there is the Switch, which is a portable home console, so it has a bigger screen and higher specs than we’re used to,” Ishihara said, as translated by NeoGAF user StreetsAhead. “Apart from main games, we make stuff like Pokkén [Tournament] and [Pokémon Mystery] Dungeon, so I am thinking we should make games that suit the Switch, but at this time I cannot confirm any projects.”

Both new positions at Game Freak are for contracts scheduled to end in May of 2018.