Game Freak may already be looking far beyond Pokémon Winds and Waves. Newly circulated information from the massive Pokémon TeraLeak suggests that development on Pokémon Generation 11 began as early as 2024, with the next generation currently targeting a 2030 release.
The information reportedly comes from internal Game Freak planning documents that outline several Pokémon projects stretching through the end of the decade.
If accurate, Game Freak could be working on Generation 11 alongside Pokémon Winds and Waves, its DLC, another Pokémon Legends title, and an ambitious multi-region project.
Pokémon Gen 11 Development Reportedly Started in 2024
According to information circulated by Centro Leaks, early work on Pokémon Generation 11 began in 2024.
The project reportedly appears on Game Freak’s internal roadmap with a planned 2030 launch window. However, the documents originate from material connected to last October’s TeraLeak. Therefore, development plans could have changed since the information was created.
A 2030 release would nevertheless fit with Game Freak’s apparent long-term development schedule.
Pokémon Winds and Waves, which was officially revealed in February, is currently targeting a late 2027 release. That would potentially leave around three years between Generation 10 and Generation 11.
However, development on the next generation would overlap considerably with Winds and Waves.
Winds and Waves Reportedly Entered Development in 2022
Game Freak appears to have started development on Pokémon Winds and Waves in 2022, following the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
With Winds and Waves targeting 2027, the game could ultimately receive approximately five years of development.
Generation 11 reportedly entered early prototyping much sooner than Game Freak originally would have needed. The reason could be connected to delays surrounding Winds and Waves.
Rather than waiting until Generation 10 was completed, Game Freak reportedly started preliminary Generation 11 development in 2024. Doing so would allow the studio to maintain its planned 2030 window despite changes elsewhere in its schedule.
Several Pokémon Games Could Be in Development at Once
Generation 11 is far from the only project mentioned in the leaked roadmap.
Several major Pokémon projects reportedly appear in Game Freak’s plans:
Pokémon Winds and Waves DLC
Game Freak reportedly already has additional content planned for Pokémon Winds and Waves.
DLC would hardly be surprising following the expansion strategy used for Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. However, its inclusion shows that development surrounding Generation 10 could continue well beyond the base game’s release.
Project Ringo
Project Ringo is reportedly the codename for the next Pokémon Legends game.
According to the leak, the game takes place in Galar’s distant past, potentially giving players an opportunity to explore an earlier version of the region introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Game Freak has not officially announced Project Ringo.
Project Seed
Perhaps the most ambitious project mentioned in the leaked documents is Project Seed.
The game is reportedly designed as an MMO-like Pokémon experience featuring multiple interconnected regions.
Those regions reportedly include:
- Kanto
- Johto
- Hoenn
- Sinnoh
- Kitakami
Rather than treating each region as a completely separate experience, Project Seed reportedly aims to connect them within a much larger world.
If those plans survive development, it could become one of Game Freak’s biggest Pokémon projects yet.
Game Freak Could Be Changing How It Develops Pokémon
The roadmap paints an interesting picture of Game Freak’s development strategy.
Pokémon has traditionally faced criticism for its relatively short release cycles. Scarlet and Violet, in particular, received considerable criticism over technical problems and performance at launch.
Starting future generations earlier could potentially give Game Freak considerably more time to develop its mainline games.
Winds and Waves could have roughly five years of development behind it by the time it arrives in 2027. Meanwhile, Generation 11 could theoretically receive around six years if development genuinely started in 2024 and the game launches in 2030.
However, development time alone does not tell the entire story.
Game Freak could simultaneously be handling Winds and Waves, DLC, Generation 11, Project Ringo, and Project Seed. Multiple teams may handle different projects, but such an ambitious roadmap could still raise questions about available resources.
Pokémon Could Have a Packed Roadmap Through 2030
If the leaked schedule remains accurate, Pokémon fans could have plenty to look forward to throughout the remainder of the decade.
Pokémon Winds and Waves would begin the next major era in 2027. DLC and projects such as Ringo and Seed could then help fill the years between major generations before Generation 11 arrives around 2030.
Still, none of the leaked release windows should be considered final.
Internal roadmaps frequently change as games move through development. Projects can be delayed, redesigned, renamed, or cancelled entirely. Game Freak and The Pokémon Company have also not officially confirmed Generation 11, Project Ringo, or Project Seed.
For now, the leak provides an interesting glimpse at what could be Game Freak’s long-term Pokémon strategy.
If the documents remain representative of its current plans, Generation 11 is already underway—and Game Freak may have its Pokémon roadmap mapped out all the way to 2030.
