During a recent interview with 4Gamer, Bandai Namo Games’ Katsuhiro Harada went a little more in-depth about who exactly they are targeting with their upcoming Pokémon spinoff, Pokkén Tournament.
According to Siliconera, the longtime Tekken producer said that, while they are still focusing on making the title appealing for schoolkids, the main demographic they are trying to appeal to a much older crowd. “[If] we’re talking about age demographics,” Harada explained, “we’re aiming for something over 18 years of age to the early 30s.”
He went on to mention that they are thinking of Pokken as an “adult” Pokemon game, specifically calling out those who grew up with the video game and anime series.
And I personally think that’s a fantastic goal to aim for. While the Pokémon series is still loved by children the world over, it also has a very devoted adult following, a group I most definitely count myself among. Many of us who were kids when early installments like Pokémon Red and Blue (or Red and Green, depending on where in the world you spent your childhood) hit the scene still remain fans today, waiting eagerly for each new generation with bated breath. Sure, they’ve lost some of their wonder over the years, but the series still holds much of the same magic it did so many years ago.
In focusing on the adults that continue to hold Pokémon near and dear to their hearts, Bandai has alleviated a few of my own personal fears about Pokkén Tournament, most notably that it would be further simplified for a younger crowd, and made me look forward to the fighter even more than I already was. Hell, this new development may even be indicative of the kind of Pokémon we’ll see populate the cast, with earlier creatures taking the spotlight instead of relative newcomers.
But what do you think? Is this focus on older players a good thing in your eyes? Let us know in the comments.
Pokkén Tournament is currently slated to launch sometime next year.
Source: 4Gamer via Siliconera, tip sent in by Anon