Game Freak, the brains behind the massive Pokémon franchise, is taking innovation to a new level with a brand-new RPG that evolves based on real-world weather.
In a new announcement shared by Famitsu, the studio revealed Amenochi Hare Onna, which roughly translates to The Sunny Girl After The Rain in English, as their next project. Launching on mobile devices, the game will be heavily impacted by weather in the real world by locking onto the player’s location and adjusting based on climate conditions in their area. The game is developed by Chronogate.
How Does The Weather Affect Gameplay?
Gameplay will revolve around hanging out laundry, with player outcomes directly affected by local weather. Creator Shigeru Omori told the outlet that the idea came to him one day when he was checking the weather forecast, and thought to himself: “If you’re going to check the weather forecast every day to do laundry, why not make a game that uses the weather forecast?”
Game Freak is reportedly partnering with Weathernews, one of Japan’s best-known forecasters, to provide the game with accurate weather data from all over the country.
The story is set in modern-day Japan and follows a group called the Sunny Girls, whose magical powers can change the weather and brighten the spirits of those they meet. Their creature partners, known as Kumorin, help the girls to spread joy to all of Japan. The main character is Himawari Haruto, designed by Aki Minamino, who is best known for her designs in the Gakuen Idolmaster series of games. Her Kumorin is known as Arai Pon, who was designed by an in-house Game Freak designer.
More details are set to be revealed in a livestream directly from Weathernews headquarters on September 14, such as voice talent that will feature in the game, as well as more comments on the development of the game and how it will utilize weather data to alter gameplay. Well-known broadcaster Airi Yamagishi will be the MC for the event. The game is set to launch in Japan first, with overseas expansion not yet confirmed by Game Freak.
Can Game Freak Escape the Shadow of Pokémon?
For most gaming fans, Game Freak is the company that is synonymous with Pokémon. For decades, the creature-catching franchise has been the studio’s crown jewel, with its joint ownership of the IP generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
However, its focus on the franchise has led many to believe that the studio is somewhat of a one-trick pony, only able to find success with the Pokémon titles, particularly in overseas markets. That conclusion is partly true, but in Japan, Game Freak is known for producing multiple small-scale games that do moderately well.
The company’s titles include Pulseman on Mega Drive, which was a well-received action platformer. In 2019, the company attempted to launch a new modern IP with Little Town Hero, an RPG game that utilized a turn-based system outside of its typical Pokémon style. However, the game performed poorly and received middling reviews.
For decades, [Pokémon] has been the studio’s crown jewel, with its joint ownership of the IP generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Nothing the company launches will ever match the cultural phenomenon that is Pokémon, which continues to churn out popular titles. Up next on its slate is Pokémon Winds and Waves, which will kickstart the 10th generation of Pokémon mainline titles.
News has been scarce outside a Nintendo Direct some months ago, which revealed the new archipelago island realm inspired by Polynesia, as well as updated graphics after strong criticism of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Players will utilize seamless open-world sea traversal to move between islands, and will reportedly meet hundreds of new Pokémon.
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