Game Freak: Difference between revisions

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(Added infobox)
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===Designers===
===Designers===
The following is a list of Pokémon designers by game credits.
The following is a list of Pokémon designers by game credits.
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background-color:#{{Pokemon color}}; border:3px solid #{{Pokemon color dark}}" cellpadding=5px  
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background-color:#{{Grey color dark}}; border:3px solid #{{Grey color}}" cellpadding=5px  
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" width=150px | Designers
! style="background-color:#{{Grey color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" width=150px | Designers
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | RG
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | RG
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | B
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | B
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! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | PLA
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}; {{roundytr|5px}}" | PLA
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Ken Sugimori}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Ken Sugimori}}
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
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| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Atsuko Nishida}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Atsuko Nishida}}
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
Line 140: Line 140:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Motofumi Fujiwara}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Motofumi Fujiwara}}
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
Line 160: Line 160:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Shigeki Morimoto}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Shigeki Morimoto}}
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
Line 180: Line 180:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Satoshi Oota}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Satoshi Oota}}
|
|
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
Line 200: Line 200:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Rena Yoshikawa}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Rena Yoshikawa}}
|  
|  
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
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|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hironobu Yoshida}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kanto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hironobu Yoshida}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 240: Line 240:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Muneo Saito}}
! style="background-color:#{{Johto color light}}" | {{color2|000|Muneo Saito}}
|  
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|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Asuka Iwashita}}
! style="background-color:#{{Hoenn color light}}" | {{color2|000|Asuka Iwashita}}
|  
|  
|  
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|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Aimi Tomita}}
! style="background-color:#{{Hoenn color light}}" | {{color2|000|Aimi Tomita}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 300: Line 300:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Takao Unno}}
! style="background-color:#{{Hoenn color light}}" | {{color2|000|Takao Unno}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 320: Line 320:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kanako Eo}}
! style="background-color:#{{Hoenn color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kanako Eo}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 340: Line 340:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Jun Okutani}}
! style="background-color:#{{Hoenn color light}}" | {{color2|000|Jun Okutani}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 360: Line 360:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kenkichi Toyama}}
! style="background-color:#{{Sinnoh color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kenkichi Toyama}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 380: Line 380:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroki Fuchino}}
! style="background-color:#{{Sinnoh color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroki Fuchino}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 400: Line 400:
|  
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroyuki Yagi}}
! style="background-color:#{{Sinnoh color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroyuki Yagi}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 420: Line 420:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Emi Yoshida}}
! style="background-color:#{{Sinnoh color light}}" | {{color2|000|Emi Yoshida}}
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|  
|  
|  
Line 440: Line 440:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yusuke Ohmura}}
! style="background-color:#{{Sinnoh color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yusuke Ohmura}}
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|  
Line 460: Line 460:
|  
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroyuki Goto}}
! style="background-color:#{{Sinnoh color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroyuki Goto}}
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|  
|  
|  
Line 480: Line 480:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Lee HyunJung}}
! style="background-color:#{{Sinnoh color light}}" | {{color2|000|Lee HyunJung}}
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|  
|  
|  
Line 500: Line 500:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Saya Tsuruta}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Saya Tsuruta}}
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|  
|  
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Line 520: Line 520:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Mana Ibe}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Mana Ibe}}
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Line 540: Line 540:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Reiko Tanoue}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Reiko Tanoue}}
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Line 560: Line 560:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tomohiro Kitakaze}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tomohiro Kitakaze}}
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Line 580: Line 580:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Maiko Fujiwara}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Maiko Fujiwara}}
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Megumi Mizutani}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Megumi Mizutani}}
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Line 620: Line 620:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tomohiko Ōkubo}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tomohiko Ōkubo}}
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Line 640: Line 640:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|James Turner}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|James Turner}}
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Keiko Moritsugu}}
! style="background-color:#{{Unova color light}}" | {{color2|000|Keiko Moritsugu}}
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yuki Kawamoto}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kalos color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yuki Kawamoto}}
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Line 700: Line 700:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Mayo Otani}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kalos color light}}" | {{color2|000|Mayo Otani}}
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Line 720: Line 720:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hitoshi Ariga}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kalos color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hitoshi Ariga}}
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|  
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Line 740: Line 740:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kensaku Nabana}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kalos color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kensaku Nabana}}
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Emi Ando}}
! style="background-color:#{{Kalos color light}}" | {{color2|000|Emi Ando}}
|  
|  
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Line 780: Line 780:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Sakiko Maeda}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|Sakiko Maeda}}
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|  
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|  
Line 800: Line 800:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Haruka Tochigi}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|Haruka Tochigi}}
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Line 820: Line 820:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Mayuka Yoshikawa}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|Mayuka Yoshikawa}}
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|  
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Line 840: Line 840:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yuki Yamamoto}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yuki Yamamoto}}
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|  
|  
|  
Line 860: Line 860:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Haruko Ichikawa}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|Haruko Ichikawa}}
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|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|take}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|take}}
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|  
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Line 900: Line 900:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Suguru Nakatsui}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|Suguru Nakatsui}}
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Line 920: Line 920:
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|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Misaki Hashimoto}}
! style="background-color:#{{Alola color light}}" | {{color2|000|Misaki Hashimoto}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 940: Line 940:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroto Ito}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Hiroto Ito}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 960: Line 960:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Erika Kuga}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Erika Kuga}}
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|  
|  
|  
Line 980: Line 980:
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|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yusuke Kozaki}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Yusuke Kozaki}}
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|  
|  
Line 1,000: Line 1,000:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|ami}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|ami}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,020: Line 1,020:
|  
|  
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kyoko Abe}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Kyoko Abe}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,040: Line 1,040:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tomomi Kaneko}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tomomi Kaneko}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,060: Line 1,060:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Fumie Kittaka}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Fumie Kittaka}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,080: Line 1,080:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tzuen Huang}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Tzuen Huang}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,100: Line 1,100:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Akira Katsuta}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Akira Katsuta}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,120: Line 1,120:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Seimi Ohshiro}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Seimi Ohshiro}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,140: Line 1,140:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Daiki Sato}} (Urasatos)
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Daiki Sato}} (Urasatos)
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|  
|  
|  
Line 1,160: Line 1,160:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Nanae Tabata}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Nanae Tabata}}
|  
|  
|  
|  
Line 1,180: Line 1,180:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
|-style="background-color:#FFF"
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}" | {{color2|000|Junsei Kuninobu}}
! style="background-color:#{{Galar color light}}" | {{color2|000|Junsei Kuninobu}}
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|  
|  
|  
Line 1,200: Line 1,200:
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
| style="background-color:#{{Green color light}}" | ✓
|-
|-
! style="background-color:#{{Pokemon color light}}; {{roundybottom|5px}}" colspan=19 |  
! style="background-color:#{{Grey color light}}; {{roundybottom|5px}}" colspan=19 |  
|}
|}



Revision as of 10:14, 21 October 2022

Game Freak, Inc.
株式会社ゲームフリーク
Game Freak logo.png
Game Freak logo
Founded April 26, 1989
Headquarters Kanda Square, 2-2-1 Kandanishiki-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Type Private
Subsidiaries Koa Games
Industry Video games
Website

Japan: gamefreak.co.jp

Game Freak, Inc. (Japanese: 株式会社ゲームフリーク Kabushiki gaisha Game Freak), officially stylized as GAME FREAK inc. or less commonly as GAMEFREAK inc., is a Japanese game development company founded on April 26, 1989 by Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori, and Junichi Masuda. Game Freak is responsible for the development of the core series Pokémon games, as well as the free-to-play spin-off game Pokémon Quest.

Game Freak shares ownership of The Pokémon Company with Creatures, Inc. and Nintendo. The company currently employs a staff of 169 as of March 2022,[1] while Satoshi Tajiri serves as its current CEO. Its headquarters are on the 7th floor of Kanda Square in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.

Game Freak acquired the mobile development company Koa Games in October 2015.[2]

History

Early history

Covers for volumes 4, 5, 7, and 8 of Game Freak magazine
Covers for volumes 13, 14, and 16 of Game Freak magazine

Satoshi Tajiri's background

The origin of the name "Game Freak" refers to a nickname used in Japan to refer to avid arcade game fans during the 1980s. At this point, competitive players including children used the term Urawaza (Japanese: 裏技, Secret Technique) in the context of video game strategy, although Masanobu Endo (creator of Xevious himself) was not a fan of the potential conflict at the arcades (this atmosphere is also covered in Satoshi Tajiri's 1990 book about his youth as an arcade game fan "A Catcher in Pac-Land" (Japanese: パックランドでつかまえて), as this included video game secrets that were proven to be false (such as the Xevious Star (Japanese: ゼビウス星)) and their veracity was subject to heated debate. He also did not want players to be spreading falsehoods and reportedly got angry regarding an interview about Xevious Star, but at the same time settled fans down from arguing during a visit. Another issue is that some of these techniques were (sometimes unknowingly) actually bugs (glitches) in the code.[3]

Satoshi Tajiri himself was an avid fan of arcade games, and once met Masanobu Endo at the arcades. Occasionally, prototypes of new games were also released at specific Game Centers, such as one at Chiyoda, Tokyo famous for showcasing new Sega games. Satoshi Tajiri himself enjoyed visiting it.[4]

Tajiri also identified as a "Game Freak" (as seen in video game magazines he wrote to), and other than his other interests like bug-catching, enjoyed writing about video games. In 1983, he self-published the Game Freak magazine series for strategy/hidden techniques in arcade games. When Ken Sugimori discovered it, he became Tajiri's friend and part of Tajiri's Game Freak circle (and magazine staff).

Furthermore, Tajiri stated in a May 2000 interview at Game Freak headquarters that the concept for the Pokémon Mew (although Shigeki Morimoto programmed and designed it into the game) as an "illusory Pokémon" was inspired by rumors at the arcades (including from the Game Freaks), specifically a hidden/unused F4 phantom fighter ship in Xevious. This was republished for a Japan-exclusive December 2000 book called Pokémon Story.[5]

Game Freak magazine

It was also around this time that arcade game fans wanted to know how video games worked and to compete as Game Freaks. Notably, Xevious expert at the time Yasuhiro Ohori (Japanese: 大堀康祐) (pseudonym Urusei Anzu) discovered how to score 10 million points in Xevious with the help of programming errors, and had his Mini-Comi "How to Score 10 Million Points in Xevious" (Japanese: ゼビウス1000万点への解法) published with fellow Game Freak Naohiko Nakagane (Japanese: 中金直彦). Coinciding with the Game Freak magazine series, Game Freak magazine republished their own version of the original as well.

The first Game Freak magazine (1983) featured Taizo Hori from Dig Dug on the front cover, and mentioned "Tajiri Corp." (although at the time, it was not an official corporation/company until 1989, also changing its name to Game Freak Co.). Run chiefly by Tajiri, with art made by Sugimori, the magazines typically were released at a length of around 28 pages and at a price of ¥300 (roughly US$3). Initially, the magazine was handwritten, but Tajiri later outsourced this to a professional printing company.

Video games before Pokémon

In 1989, Tajiri published his first video game, Quinty, which was localized as Mendel Palace for its North American release. In the same year, Game Freak was officially incorporated, and began work on several video games for the two largest players in the industry at the time, Nintendo and Sega. Among these games were licensed titles such as Yoshi and Mario & Wario, as well as original games such as Pulseman and Smart Ball.

Print media before Pokémon

Other than Game Freak magazine, Satoshi Tajiri was also the author of the 1990 book "A Catcher in Pac-Land" and the 1995 book New Game Design. There was also a (possibly internal) 1993 Game Freak New Year postcard by Ken Sugimori thanking someone for their help the previous year (also revealing prerelease art of Kangaskhan and Exeggutor). This was later revealed to the public in a special 1999 edition of Game Freak magazine, though the official scan may only be in black and white.[6]

Pokémon

Though the idea for what would become the Pokémon games had existed in Tajiri's mind for a while, actual development of the Pokémon idea began as Capsule Monsters in 1990.

In early 1990, Tajiri pitched the idea to Ape (Creatures, Inc.) and Nintendo, with a contract to finish it in October that year; however, it was rejected, and issues trademarking the name led Tajiri to change it, first shortening it to CapuMon, then changing it to Pocket Monsters. Additionally, according to the official book Game Freak Asobi no Sekai Hyoujun o Nurikaeru Creative Shuudan written by Akihito Tomisawa (a developer from Game Freak), Tsunekazu Ishihara states Creatures, Inc. had their own prototype for a game called "Toto" with a similar creature collecting concept; so Creatures, Inc. rejected it out of respect for Tajiri.[7]

With further revision of the idea, Tajiri pitched it again to Nintendo, and with the confidence of Shigeru Miyamoto swaying the decision, development was finally greenlit.

Though the franchise is currently one of the most successful game franchises in the world, development of Pokémon Red and Green was incredibly difficult for the team at Game Freak, with the six-year development period and low finances of the company causing many of the staff to leave for other employment. Tajiri himself worked long hours, many of them unpaid, in order to bring Pokémon out, finally releasing them on February 27, 1996. An international success overnight, Game Freak became recognized as one of the best game developers Nintendo had working for them, leading to their second-party status.

Since Red and Green, Game Freak has developed all core series games, as well as the free-to-play spin-off game Pokémon Quest; other games, including the battle arena games and GameCube RPGs Pokémon Colosseum and XD, have been developed by other Nintendo affiliates and subsidiaries. The Game Boy Camera, more of an add-on to the Game Boy than a game itself, had its image editing software developed by Game Freak as well.

Later non-Pokémon work

HarmoKnight, one of Game Freak's more recent non-Pokémon titles

Though Game Freak has mainly developed the Pokémon series since its 1996 debut, it is responsible for five games released since then that were not Pokémon-related. Click Medic, a Japan-only medical simulation game for the PlayStation, plays similarly to Pokémon, though instead of monsters, features a doctor using various vaccines and antibodies to fight against viruses and other maladies inside of a patient's body.

Another game, Drill Dozer, was released for the Game Boy Advance in the interim between the release of Pokémon Emerald and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, featuring a young girl who operates a drilling machine in order to take down enemies in each of the worlds.

HarmoKnight, a rhythm-based action game for Nintendo 3DS developed by Game Freak, was released in Japan in 2012 and internationally in 2013, via the Nintendo eShop. HarmoKnight also features some music from the Pokémon games.

Pocket Card Jockey, a game that mixes solitaire and horse racing, was released for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan in 2013 and internationally in 2016, via the Nintendo eShop. It was later ported to Android and iOS in Japan, making it the first Game Freak game to be released on a non-Nintendo system since Click Medic.

In March 2015, Game Freak announced Tembo the Badass Elephant, to be published by Sega for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. It is the first title by Game Freak not released on a Nintendo system since Click Medic. It features the titular elephant fighting against an evil invading army.

In September 2018, Game Freak announced Little Town Hero, a role-playing game unrelated to Pokémon. It was released for the Nintendo Switch in October 16, 2019, as well as on the PlayStation 4 and Windows computers the following year.

Philosophy

Game Freak's philosophy, as stated on their website, is "To give the people of the world enjoyment, fun and discovery by continuously creating games of superior quality. And to encourage bravery, hope, kindness, dreams and an adventurous spirit." This philosophy is easily seen in the Pokémon games, where the player must fight bravely against the various villainous teams, journeying across their region with their Pokémon by their side.

Key people

Designers

The following is a list of Pokémon designers by game credits.

Designers RG B Y GSC RS FRLGE DP Pt HGSS BW B2W2 XY ORAS SM USUM LGPE SwSh PLA
Ken Sugimori
Atsuko Nishida
Motofumi Fujiwara
Shigeki Morimoto
Satoshi Oota
Rena Yoshikawa
Hironobu Yoshida
Muneo Saito
Asuka Iwashita
Aimi Tomita
Takao Unno
Kanako Eo
Jun Okutani
Kenkichi Toyama
Hiroki Fuchino
Hiroyuki Yagi
Emi Yoshida
Yusuke Ohmura
Hiroyuki Goto
Lee HyunJung
Saya Tsuruta
Mana Ibe
Reiko Tanoue
Tomohiro Kitakaze
Maiko Fujiwara
Megumi Mizutani
Tomohiko Ōkubo
James Turner
Keiko Moritsugu
Yuki Kawamoto
Mayo Otani
Hitoshi Ariga
Kensaku Nabana
Emi Ando
Sakiko Maeda
Haruka Tochigi
Mayuka Yoshikawa
Yuki Yamamoto
Haruko Ichikawa
take
Suguru Nakatsui
Misaki Hashimoto
Hiroto Ito
Erika Kuga
Yusuke Kozaki
ami
Kyoko Abe
Tomomi Kaneko
Fumie Kittaka
Tzuen Huang
Akira Katsuta
Seimi Ohshiro
Daiki Sato (Urasatos)
Nanae Tabata
Junsei Kuninobu

Affiliates

In the games

Game Freak's logo in Sword and Shield

Game Freak employees appear in every core series game besides Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The main reason to visit them is to obtain a diploma, awarded after the completion of the Pokédex. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the sound designer gives the GB Sounds after the player has obtained all 8 Kanto Badges.

Their headquarters are located on the third floor of the Celadon Condominiums. They have their own office on 22F of a building in Castelia City, just like in their former real-world office in Carrot Tower. They also have an office on the second floor of a building in Heahea City. In Hoenn, a group of Game Freak employees are on vacation, staying in Lilycove City's Cove Lily Motel; in Sinnoh, a single member is staying at the Hotel Grand Lake; in Kalos, the game director can be found staying at the Hotel Coumarine in Coumarine City; in Galar, a group of Game Freak employees can be found staying in Hotel Ionia in Circhester.

In Pokémon Black and White, the player can battle a character representing Shigeki Morimoto in the office after stopping Team Plasma. In Black 2 and White 2, they can also battle Kōji Nishino, who uses a Snorlax as his highest leveled Pokémon, a reference to his nickname カビゴン Kabigon, after which Snorlax is named (in the English versions, he calls himself Snorlax). Both Morimoto and Nishino have the Trainer class GAME FREAK. In Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player can battle Morimoto in the Game Freak office, who will give the player an Oval Charm the first time he is defeated; this battle is located in Hotel Ionia in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

The company itself also appears in Pokémon Sword and Shield as one of the sponsors of Leon, the Champion of the Galar League.

Logo screen

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Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Gen VI to VIII screens
Game Freak logo RGBY.png Game Freak logo RBY.png Game Freak logo GS.png Game Freak logo C.png
RGBY RBY GS C
Game Freak logo RS.png Game Freak logo FRLG.png Game Freak logo E.png Game Freak logo DP.png
RS FRLG E DP
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Pt HGSS BWB2W2

See also

External links

StrategyWiki
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References

  1. Company - Game Freak
  2. Game Freak, known as "Pokémon" development company, merged with smartphone game development company Koa Games... - gamebiz.jp
  3. The Game Freaks Who Play With Bugs – Discussions on the Video Game Xevious (Japanese: ゲームフリークはバグと戯れる―ビデオゲーム「ゼビウス」論) (Nakazawa Shinichi) (1984) (Translations from Jérémie Pelletier-Gagnon and Tsugumi Okabe for Geemu Media Mix Volume 5, Issue 1, December 2015, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
  4. Interview between Masanobu Endo, Satoshi Tajiri, Ken Sugimori - Denfaminicogamer (February 8, 2016)
  5. Mew's Origins: A Story of Secrets, Rumors & Legends Ft. maxmoefoe (Pokémon) - DidYouKnowGaming?
  6. Tweet by Torchickens based on the Instagram post by hapycakeoven containing the scan of the postcard from the 1999 Game Freak magazine.
  7. YouTube video by DidYouKnowGaming? citing the book