Pokémon Unite producer Masaaki Hoshino has revealed the new Theia Sky Ruins map will have some significant changes that could solve the problems players are having within the game.
Speaking with the Mirror during the Pokémon World Championships 2022, Hoshino offered more insight into the changes to the MOBA which will feature Rayquaza as the central boss Pokémon.
Fixing the flaws
It’s no secret many players have voiced their frustration around issues with the game’s current boss Zapdos, where defeating him disables the opposing team's goals and essentially gives players the win regardless of who is in the lead.
But according to Hoshino, Rayquaza and the new map will be “different”.
“We’ve listened to the complaints.
“Zapdos is a debuff on the opposing team's goals but Rayquaza is actually a buff to your own team, your attack goes up while your goal speed goes up.
“It may not be fixed but it's a different play, so hopefully, the players enjoy the new map.”
“We want the new map to bring a breath of fresh air to the game.
“We designed it with competitiveness in mind and we can't wait for next season to bring players to this new space. I can confirm that the new map will be where the competitions will be held ” he added.
Getting the edge in esport
This year’s WCS (World Championship Series) was the first time Pokémon Unite fans got to see the game on a global competitive stage and raised questions about whether it could be the next big Esport.
It’s not something that has escaped Hosnino either.
“Esports is something that we have been considering from the start.
“But especially after looking at the WCS, we went looking for feedback from professional players and want to make Unite a vibrant and always-on-the-go competitive environment.”
However, Hoshino was quick to point out that their focus wasn’t solely on esports and said what surprised him most about Pokémon Unite was the game’s demographic.
“I was actually surprised that so many people are playing Pokémon Unite. I didn't expect it in the first place. But, of course, I'm extremely happy about it.
“What I enjoy most though, is the people who may not necessarily have been that familiar with pokémon until now are enjoying Pokémon through Pokémon Unite.
“There are also a lot of people who I did not expect to play the game, given mobile tends to be perhaps not a wide of an audience.
“Pokemon Unite is enjoyed by small kids and that was really surprising to me. I hear a lot of kids that actually play with their parents together and that is really surprising to me.
“I thought it was something that was going to be for really core gamers but I'm pleasantly surprised that such a wide range of people are actually enjoying it too.
Picking the Pokémon
For fans curious about how exactly he and TiMi studio choose which Pokémon to feature in the game, Hoshino said offered an insight into how the game makers think.
“When I consider introducing new pokémon, I look at how to widen the playstyle and bring something new to the game that's very unique.
“You know, there's a lot of pokémon, and choosing which one is best to entertain players is complicated.
“As for the transformation, and therefore the moves, I try to bring as many things as possible from the original games to Unite.
“When I have to build a movement from scratch I always try to design something that is consistent with the game and I never insert skills that the Pokémon would not have.”
Hoshino did admit to having a personal favourite when it came to Pokémon in the game.
“I love Absol the most. It's definitely in the mainland title as really strong but also a very tricky character to play.
“You can attack first or attack later and I really enjoy this trickiness.
“And at the same time, I feel that Absol is one of two Pokémon who can actually defeat Mewtwo”.
Pokemon Unite is available as a free-to-play game on the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.
