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[Mushroomer25]

I kind of suspect they are. If you look at any of their non-Pokemon output, it's consistently mediocre. They've mostly survived by making 'good enough' games in a franchise that has global appeal. Handing it off to another developer could result in something genuinely groundbreaking, but TPC seems content with their very high-selling status quo.

 

[DecoReturns]

Bit of a over reaction

 

[13ruce]

Yp they make the strangest decisions and use ages old outdated engines for their games.

Hopefuly gen 8 forces hd development on them.

 

[Soulscribe]

Can someone give me/us some background on why GameFreak is an independent entity even though Pokemon is pretty much a Nintendo-owned IP? Do they have an equivalent relationship to Nintendo that say Rare did in the 90s? Or is it more like when Nintendo defers a property to Capcom or Namco?

I guess I do agree with the OP on those points, b/c the Pokemon games seem really archaic and are very slow to introduce new mechanics or art styles, which isn't a trademark for Nintendo's other IPs really.

 

[wapplew]

They must be scared shitless of HD. Just like the Monster Hunter devs.

Who doesn't? Cost a whole lot, probably sell the same, bad business.

 

[jholmes]

Game Freak is too successful to recognize how completely backwards they are.

I kind of suspect they are. If you look at any of their non-Pokemon output, it's consistently mediocre. They've mostly survived by making 'good enough' games in a franchise that has global appeal. Handing it off to another developer could result in something genuinely groundbreaking, but TPC seems content with their very high-selling status quo.

"Mediocre" is a bit much but I can't say HarmoKnight was ahead of its time.

 

[Diprosalic]

they might be the most competent out there.

1. keep a single franchise not only afloat but as relevant as ever over the span of 20 years
2. keep development cost super low
3. good moves on the mobile front

they're are killing it.

 

[Aters]

No, it is just that Pokemon fans always exceeds expectations for Pokemon games.

Such as since we always got battle frontier, we expect it in new Pokemon game?

 

[andymcc]

they might be the most competent out there.

1. keep a single franchise not only afloat but as relevant as ever over the span of 20 years
2. keep development cost super low
3. good moves on the mobile front

they're are killing it.

avatar quote

 

[jmdajr]

I didn't know until last year that Pokemon wasn't made by Nintendo.

I never played the games.

 

[EhoaVash]

Fuck gamefreak lol

 

[Vanillalite]

Man the salt today is running at all time GAF highs with these threads.

Anyways no is the answer. Not even close.

 

[entremet]

They aren't owned by Nintendo.

Yes they are, but not a full ownership stake.

 

[Griss]

Put it this way, does anyone have a proposal as to a worse Nintendo dev, technically? Seriously, if you believe Game Freak aren't the worst, you must have another proposal for who is.

Now, if we include Arzest / Artoon, I might agree, but even those games haven't had the frame rate issues that X/Y and Sun/Moon had. They're just poorly designed games.

I mean, I was so damn sure that Sun Moon would be technically perfect as they were on the same system and Game Freak could work out the kinks in their engine. Instead, they cut out 3d entirely and yet somehow the frame rate was worse! How the fuck does that happen? How can that be anything but incompetence?

they might be the most competent out there.

1. keep a single franchise not only afloat but as relevant as ever over the span of 20 years
2. keep development cost super low
3. good moves on the mobile front

they're are killing it.

From a business point of view there's no arguing with this, and this is why they are so poor technically - because they can get away with making 100s of millions with a skeleton crew.

 

[Zalman]

Can someone give me/us some background on why GameFreak is an independent entity even though Pokemon is pretty much a Nintendo-owned IP? Do they have an equivalent relationship to Nintendo that say Rare did in the 90s? Or is it more like when Nintendo defers a property to Capcom or Namco?

Sony owns Ratchet and Clank but it's developed by the independent Insomniac.

 

[B-Dubs]

Can someone give me/us some background on why GameFreak is an independent entity even though Pokemon is pretty much a Nintendo-owned IP? Do they have an equivalent relationship to Nintendo that say Rare did in the 90s? Or is it more like when Nintendo defers a property to Capcom or Namco?

I guess I do agree with the OP on those points, b/c the Pokemon games seem really archaic and are very slow to introduce new mechanics or art styles, which isn't a trademark for Nintendo's other IPs really.

Pokemon is joint-owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and The Pokemon Company.

 

[Slamtastic]

The way Pokémon is made compared to the money it makes is staggering.

How can a franchise with such popularity be like this?

It's probably complacency, and nothing will change things and force them to up the effort until sales drop.

The competition from the success period of Yo-Kai Watch hasn't moved the needle.

 

[KZXcellent]

Maybe one day they'll release a mainline game that runs at an acceptable framerate again.

 

[KingSnake]

Game Freak is practically EA: makes tones of money and doesn't care too much about porting the newest game to the newest Nintendo consoles, just some legacy ports.

 

[jwhit28]

It seems like Gamefreak has been able to keep that feeling of 2 fanzine guys saying they can make their own game better than anyone else's. That can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Reminds me of the sway the Monster Hunter guys get at Capcom.

 

[True Fire]

Does Arzest count? They literally make Nintendo branded shovelware

 

[Zalman]

Pokemon is joint-owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and The Pokemon Company.

Creatures Inc., not Pokémon Company.

 

[Leafhopper]

People still don't understand how Game Freak works with Pokemon some how. Even if the Switch really does replace the 3DS they won't release a mainline Pokemon game on the system until either

A: More Switches are in stock in stores so they can swoop in and make a bunch of people buy Switches like Nintendo wants

B: Wait for Switches to be in peoples hands in general to make that multimillion sale number they like (which will sell Switches as well.)

Either way Pokemon is a mid to late game play for Nintendo so expecting a Pokemon game in the first year of a consoles life isn't going to happen just because you want it to.

As for them having a lack of competence it's more for me a lack of consistency with what they do with their games but, that's another story.

 

[Neoxon]

Can someone give me/us some background on why GameFreak is an independent entity even though Pokemon is pretty much a Nintendo-owned IP? Do they have an equivalent relationship to Nintendo that say Rare did in the 90s? Or is it more like when Nintendo defers a property to Capcom or Namco?

I guess I do agree with the OP on those points, b/c the Pokemon games seem really archaic and are very slow to introduce new mechanics or art styles, which isn't a trademark for Nintendo's other IPs really.

Because Pokémon isn't 100% owned by Nintendo. It's basically a hot mess of ownership sharing.

 

[James Scott]

Who doesn't? Cost a whole lot, probably sell the same, bad business.

HD development started 12 years or so ago. Pokémon company's profits have also been pretty astronomical last fiscal year and I doubt they wouldn't be able to recoup costs.
It's kind of like saying Nintendo should stick to LBW type games because BOTW costs too much.

 

[Mushroomer25]

In hindsight, Nintendo has technically employed teams that produced Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival, and Star Fox Zero. So GameFreak isn't their least competent partner, but definitely amongst the least.

 

[TheDinoman]

Can someone give me/us some background on why GameFreak is an independent entity even though Pokemon is pretty much a Nintendo-owned IP? Do they have an equivalent relationship to Nintendo that say Rare did in the 90s? Or is it more like when Nintendo defers a property to Capcom or Namco?

I guess I do agree with the OP on those points, b/c the Pokemon games seem really archaic and are very slow to introduce new mechanics or art styles, which isn't a trademark for Nintendo's other IPs really.

There's an informal term of this kind of thing called "second party". Basically, series owned by a first party console manufacturer, but made by outside studios.

Stuff like Kirby, Pokemon, Fire Emblem, Super Smash Bros., Chibi-Robo!, The Wonderful 101, Golden Sun, etc all file under this category. These brands are owned by Nintendo, but their creators (HAL Labs, Sora LTD, Intelligent Systems, PlatinumGames, etc) aren't.

 

[jokkir]

I don't understand how their games on 3DS are so unoptimized. What's up with the slowdown with 3D on when games, that look better, can run at a better framerate. Makes no sense to me.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Oh for god's sake.

No.

Yes, they should have scaled down their future proofed models so it can run better, but no they are not incompetent.

Just because they didn't make a Switch game does not warrant this crap.

You have to admit the Festival Plaza was somewhat of a regression from the excellent progress they'd made going from D/P/P -> C-Gear -> PSS.

 

[TreasureHunterG]

Game Freak needs to hire people, train and adapt themselves to develop for home consoles. Their refusal to develop for home consoles for decades is just dumb. Yes, I agree they are among the most conservative dev teams in Nintendo ranks, making "tons of money" can't justify this.

 

[Diprosalic]

HD development started 12 years or so ago. Pokémon company's profits have also been pretty astronomical last fiscal year and I doubt they wouldn't be able to recoup costs.
It's kind of like saying Nintendo should stick to LBW type games because BOTW costs too much.

BOTW needed to be impressive on all fronts.
Pokemon does not. if nintendo would sell tons by releasing LBW type games, they would, as would anybody else.

You don't have to like it but GF hit the jackpot and they're continuing to profit from it as long as they can. If they're ever forced to adapt, they will.

Game Freak needs to hire people, train and adapt themselves to develop for home consoles. Their refusal to develop for home consoles for decades is just dumb. Yes, I agree they are among the most conservative dev teams in Nintendo ranks, making "tons of money" can't justify this.

making tons of (legal) money is the only justification a company ever needs for doing anything. they don't need to do jack shit.

 

[papertoonz]

I don't understand how their games on 3DS are so unoptimized. What's up with the slowdown with 3D on when games, that look better, can run at a better framerate. Makes no sense to me.

the pokemon models have really high ploy count for a 3DS game

Game Freak needs to hire people, train and adapt themselves to develop for home consoles. Their refusal to develop for home consoles for decades is just dumb. Yes, I agree they are among the most conservative dev teams in Nintendo ranks, making "tons of money" can't justify this.

they don't refuse to make home console games cause hard or some thing like that

they "refuse" because they think the pokemon series is best suited for handhelds

 

[B-Dubs]

I don't understand how their games on 3DS are so unoptimized. What's up with the slowdown with 3D on when games, that look better, can run at a better framerate. Makes no sense to me.

When they made the X/Y Pokemon models they tried to future-proof them as much as possible, that way they wouldn't need to be updated much when they make the jump to HD. It's basically held that the 3DS has a hard time dealing with said models.

 

[J@hranimo]

Game Freak isn't actually a Nintendo developer, they're independent.

Thread rendered pointless in one post.

They aren't competent, they are just safe...which funny enough is what half the industry is.

 

[Spinosaurus]

I'll only agree on the technical side. They know the pace they want to work at though, and a relatively small dev like GF releasing a new game almost yearly that are typically met with critical acclaim isn't what I'd call incompetent.

 

[Pie and Beans]

Wait, is that the reason? Do we have confirmation of that? That's gamedev 101 right there, surely they can't be that incompetent.

If you look at the models when emulated in something like Citra (3DS emu), the pokemon models have lovely smooth curves which means they have not been optimised to run on an old bintruck like the 3DS. When even Joe admits this:

Yes, they should have scaled down their future proofed models so it can run better, but

you know its bad.

 

[True Fire]

Thread rendered pointless in one post.

OP used the word "for," which is factually correct. Anyone who makes exclusives for Nintendo makes games "for" them.

 

[Bronetta]

The one thing I hate most about Pokemon is what a time slog it is. Everything takes too long: menus, battle startups and animations, dialogue boxes. Just everything moves at a snails pace.

A game like Persona 5 really makes you appreciate how fast and snappy RPGs can be. Turn based RPGs dont need to be slow and cumbersome but it seems Gamefreak didnt get the memo.

 

[Geg]

Whoever makes Animal Crossing is worse in my book.

I'm actually more curious about the reasoning behind this view than any Pokemon stuff lol

 

[Cartho]

Least competent? Probably not, but they're poor.

From a technical standpoint they're extremely lazy and the lack of attention they pay to frame rate issues is staggering in this day and age.

Sadly, however, people keep buying the games. They are in a similar position to Bethesda - Skyrim was a total fucking shit show of poor animation, hideous, game breaking bugs, a dreadful main quest, awful voice acting and terrible combat. However people still absolutely lap it up. The backlash over Mass Effect Andromeda was made even more ridiculous when you compare it to how well received Skyrim was, despite having many similar problems.

I think it's a shame that Pokemon isn't in the hands of a forward looking, adventurous developer. GF are extremely conservative and, I totally agree, it's ridiculous how small and technically crap they are given the amount of money Pokemon makes.

PS.

inb4 the Serebi guy defending Game Freak until he dies on this thread

Oh for god's sake.

No.

Yes, they should have scaled down their future proofed models so it can run better, but no they are not incompetent.

Just because they didn't make a Switch game does not warrant this crap.

 

[Buzzman]

Yes the developer that brought in in more profit than all of SCE first party combined last year is the "least competent".

 

[SilverLunar]

I am reminded of that thread criticizing Sony for giving the GT developers free reins of the series.

It is because it gives them tons of money, it is simple.

And besides, unlike GT, they actually release their games more frequently, what complaints would Nintendo have?

 

[jjonez18]

Any other developer would love to put up with GameFreak's "incompetence".

I'd say that untapped potential isn't the same as incompetence. You're getting the two mixed up.

 

[Zakkath]

As long as people are satisfied buying their same old rehashed game, they'll keep making it. They have absolutly no financial reason to up their game.

Sun/Moon 1.5 are still gonna sell millions of copies when they come out.

 

[Leafhopper]

Any other developer would love to put up with GameFreak's "incompetence".

I'd say that untapped potential isn't the same as incompetence. You're getting the two mixed up.

This.

 

[old manatee]

I kind of suspect they are. If you look at any of their non-Pokemon output, it's consistently mediocre. They've mostly survived by making 'good enough' games in a franchise that has global appeal. Handing it off to another developer could result in something genuinely groundbreaking, but TPC seems content with their very high-selling status quo.

INCORRECT

 

[Dantrist]

I just wish their games would bomb, forcing them to finally try something more ambitious.
Not that they would.

 

[Hydrus]

Gamefreak is awful. I wish they would just stick to the ideas and planning, and let nintendo develop.

No, it is just that Pokemon fans always exceeds expectations for Pokemon games.

Gamefreak can't even get their games to run right on current hardware. They set the bar so low, that it's not hard for people to expect a little more and yet they manage to go even lower.

 

[SgtCobra]

GameFreak, just like any other dev, wants to make money. Making launch Switch owners happy is not high on their priority list I bet.

 

[Clefargle]

Game Freak isn't actually a Nintendo developer, they're independent.

Please read the title

"Is Gamefreak the least competent developer FOR Nintendo?"

They aren't owned by Nintendo.

This.

Also, the last game they made is seven months old and for 3DS.

Give them time, jesus fuck.

Where did I say they were owned by Nintendo?

READ THE OP PLEASE