In May we learned from a DeNA financial briefing that the developer had teamed up with The Pokémon Company to release a smartphone game based on the Pokémon license, and today the studio has unveiled new details about this upcoming title. It's called Pokémon Masters, and apparently, it's a 3v3 real-time strategy battle game that will land on Android sometime this summer.
If you enjoy collecting digital content, then you're going to love Pokémon Masters, but instead of collecting Pokémon, you will have to obtain many different trainers. The trailer above details the fact that trainers will be matched with certain Pokémon types, so if your trainer comes from a grass region on the new Island of Pasio, then they should be paired with a grass type Pokémon. Essentially you'll adventure around this island collecting trainers to form 3-person teams that will battle other teams of trainers in waves, much like you would in MARVEL Strike Force and the endless number of clones already available on the Play Store.
Plenty of fanservice is expected, as you will run into many of the notable trainers from the mainline series, but so far few other details have been provided. We still don't know how the game will be monetized, but if I had to take a guess it seems pretty clear that Pokémon Masters already exudes the majority of hallmarks of a free-to-play mobile game. So far the only date provided for the release is a tentative "summer 2019," and we still don't know exactly how many Pokémon will appear in the title, though it looks like many different generations will be included that span from Red and Blue all the way up to Sun and Moon.
We've known about the existence of Pokémon Masters for a little while now, but it's still nice to have a name to put to the game, along with a better idea of how it will play. While I would have much preferred something a little more original than yet another strategy-based battle game, I have no doubt the majority of Pokémon fans will dive into this release with gusto whenever it lands this summer. Hopefully, DeNA will provide a closer look at the upcoming release before that day arrives so we'll have a better idea of exactly what to expect.
Source: Pokémon Masters, YouTube
PRESS RELEASE
Pokémon Masters Fact Sheet GAME TITLE: Pokémon Masters
DEVELOPER: DeNA Co., Ltd.
PUBLISHER: DeNA Co., Ltd.
AVAILABLE PLATFORMS: Compatible iOS and Android devices (recommended specs to be announced)
PLANNED RELEASE DATE: Summer 2019
AVAILABLE LANGUAGES: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese
PRICE: Free-to-start (purchasable in-game items)
Game Summary Based on the globally popular Pokémon entertainment franchise, Pokémon Masters is a strategy and battling game for mobile devices that features 3-on-3 battles in real time. In the game, players will embark on an adventure to meet various Trainers and make new friends while progressing through the story, which takes place in a new location in the Pokémon world—the island of Pasio!
In Pokémon Masters, players will form a team of three sync pairs (a sync pair being the combination of a Trainer and their partner Pokémon). This means that players will be in command of three Pokémon and three Trainers at the same time during a battle. Once a player has made friends with other sync pairs, they can recruit those friends to their team and battle to become champion of the prestigious Pokémon Masters League tournament. In addition, each sync pair has a different role, such as strike or support, so it’s important for players to not only evaluate the opponent but also form a team of sync pairs that complement one another.
For the very first time in a Pokémon game, Trainers and their partner Pokémon from every region will come together on Pasio to form sync pairs. Players can team up with duos such as Korrina & Lucario, Brendan & Treecko, Clair & Kingdra, and many more. The gathering of such a diverse group of Trainers will lead to unexpected encounters and the unfolding of a new story.
The 3-on-3, real-time battle mechanic in Pokémon Masters is a novel twist on Pokémon battles. Players will be able to release a barrage of moves while their AI (artificial intelligence) opponent unleashes attacks at the same time. Each move requires a certain amount of the player’s move gauge, which will continuously refill during the course of battle. In addition to standard moves, players can occasionally deploy sync moves—powerful attacks performed by a specific sync pair. The battle is over once a player defeats their AI opponent’s team of sync pairs. Players will need to form their team, ration their move gauge, and strategically deploy the best moves at the most opportune times to ensure victory!
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Real-Time, 3-on-3 Battles—Players will experience the all-new thrill of commanding three Pokémon and three Trainers at the same time during a battle—while also defending against their AI opponent’s team in real time.
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An All-New Location to Explore—Discover a new location in the Pokémon world—the island of Pasio. On Pasio, the rules of battle are different, allowing for 3-on-3 sync pair team battles. Adventure across Pasio to meet new Trainers, earn badges, and enter the Pokémon Masters League tournament.
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Pokémon Trainers from Every Region—Witness Trainers from throughout the Pokémon video game series interacting together for the first time.
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Stunning Original Art—Experience beautiful character visuals and must-see battle animations.
A Selection of Sync Pairs in Pokémon Masters
Sync Pair
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Description
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Appearances in the Pokémon Video Game Series
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Red & Charizard
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The silent type, this legendary, awesome Pokémon Trainer hardly talks at all. His best friend, Blue, is also his rival. Notice anything different about his clothes?
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Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and others
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Brock & Onix
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Known as the rock-solid Pokémon Trainer, he is a reliable Gym Leader who watches over and supports younger Trainers.
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Pokémon Red and Blue and others
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Misty & Starmie
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A Gym Leader known as the Tomboyish Mermaid, she has an upbeat personality but also acts tough and takes rules very seriously.
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Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! and others
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Rosa & Snivy
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This high-spirited young lady likes to stand out and has a strong sense of justice. Her dream is to have many battles with Trainers all over the world.
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Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2
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Blue & Pidgeot
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This highly skilled powerhouse Trainer prominent in Kanto is the grandson of the famous Professor Oak. Red is both his lifelong rival and his best friend.
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Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and others
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Cynthia & Garchomp
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This Champion of Sinnoh is an archeologist who researches the history and mythology of Pokémon. Her deep love for Pokémon sent her on an adventure when she was young.
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Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and others
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Iris & Haxorus
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This lively young Trainer’s family lives among dragon Pokémon. Despite her youth, her skills in battle have made her a Champion.
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Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 and others
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Clair & Kingdra
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She is a proud, confident Gym Leader who uses Dragon-type Pokémon. Her cousin Lance is also a Dragon-type Pokémon user.
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Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and others
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Brendan & Treecko
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His goal is to be like his dad, Norman—a Gym Leader he really looks up to. He is a bit mischievous, but he is serious about Pokémon battles.
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Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
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Flannery & Torkoal
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A Gym Leader with a fiery, brave personality, she can be a bit too serious and sometimes tries too hard to conduct herself properly.
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Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and others
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Thorton & Bronzong
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He analyzes his opponents, and his knowledge of and skills with any Pokémon are the real deal. As Factory Head, he battles challengers.
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Pokémon Platinum Version and others
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Korrina & Lucario
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A lively Gym Leader who speeds around on roller skates, she is known as the Mega Evolution successor in her native Kalos.
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Pokémon X and Y
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Acerola & Palossand
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Rumored to be descended from an ancient Alolan dynasty, this Ghost-type Pokémon Trainer serves as one of the Alola region’s Elite Four.
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Pokémon Sun and Moon and others
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Barry & Piplup
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An incredibly impetuous, high-spirited young man who runs straight for what he wants without any hesitation, he has an earnest passion for Pokémon.
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Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and others
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Copyrights ©2019 DeNA Co., Ltd. ©2019 Pokémon. ©1995–2019 Nintendo / Creatures Inc. / GAME FREAK inc. Pokémon and Pokémon character names are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK inc.
About DeNA DeNA (pronounced “D-N-A”) develops and operates a broad range of mobile and online services including games, e-commerce, entertainment, healthcare, automotive and other diversified offerings. Founded in 1999, DeNA is headquartered in Tokyo with over 2,000 employees. DeNA's aim is to delight and impact the world through the use of the internet and AI. DeNA Co., Ltd. is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (2432). For more information, visit: dena.com/intl/.
About Pokémon The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
UPDATE: 2019/07/18 11:01am PDT BY MATTHEW SHOLTZ
New co-op trailer for Pokémon Masters
Now that we know that Pokémon Masters is coming to Android sometime this summer, it makes sense that The Pokémon Company would trickle out new details every so often to keep fans interest in the game. A new trailer just arrived on the official Pokémon Masters website that covers the game's co-op gameplay, along with a few other details. This co-op gameplay allows for three players to team up online to take on AI opponents together through coordinated attacks, and a 3v3 competitive mode is also expected that will see teams facing off against one another. Players will also be able to compete in the Pokémon Masters League tournament where they'll face off against a few familiar faces from the series. So if you're eager to see these new features in action, make sure to watch the trailer above.
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Cooperative Play – Join two players from around the world for three-player co-op against AI opponents. Work together to unleash the unity attack, a special coordinated attack from all three sync pairs (a sync pair is the combination of a Trainer and their partner Pokémon).
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3-on-3 Real-Time Battling System – Witness the thrill of the 3-on-3 real-time battling system. The trailer offers a look at Trainers teaming up with their partner Pokémon to unleash powerful sync moves.
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Pokémon Masters League – Compete in the Pokémon Masters League tournament, which features 3-on-3 battles that take place only on the artificial island of Pasio. In this tournament, Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, Champions, and all-stars from every region of the Pokémon world have formed sync pair teams. Players will battle these teams all across Pasio to obtain badges and become champion of the Pokémon Masters League.
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Sygna Suits (not pictured in trailer) – Special outfits that Trainers can wear into battle. When Trainers wear a Sygna Suit, their partner Pokémon changes to match. For example, when Brock dons his Sygna Suit, he teams up with Tyranitar instead of Onix.
Pokémon Masters latest trailer details Cooperative Play, Pokémon Masters League and more
New Gameplay Trailer for Pokémon Masters Details Cooperative Play, Pokémon Masters League, and More — Game Planned to Release in Summer 2019
July 18, 2019 — Today, DeNA Co., Ltd. and The Pokémon Company revealed more gameplay content and features for Pokémon Masters in a new trailer for Pokémon Masters, a real-time strategy and battling game for compatible Android and iOS devices that is planned to release in Summer 2019.
In the trailer, which can be viewed on The Pokémon Company’s official YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/oIwGe83JUo8], fans can learn more about:
Cooperative Play – Join two players from around the world for three-player co-op against AI opponents. Work together to unleash the unity attack, a special coordinated attack from all three sync pairs (a sync pair is the combination of a Trainer and their partner Pokémon).
3-on-3 Real-Time Battling System – Witness the thrill of the 3-on-3 real-time battling system. The trailer offers a look at Trainers teaming up with their partner Pokémon to unleash powerful sync moves.
Pokémon Masters League – Compete in the Pokémon Masters League tournament, which features 3-on-3 battles that take place only on the artificial island of Pasio. In this tournament, Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, Champions, and all-stars from every region of the Pokémon world have formed sync pair teams. Players will battle these teams all across Pasio to obtain badges and become champion of the Pokémon Masters League.
Sygna Suits (not pictured in trailer) – Special outfits that Trainers can wear into battle. When Trainers wear a Sygna Suit, their partner Pokémon changes to match. For example, when Brock dons his Sygna Suit, he teams up with Tyranitar instead of Onix.
Fans can also stay tuned to the official social media channels on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/PokemonMasters), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PokemonMastersGame), and Instagram (Instagram.com/pokemonmastersgame), as well as the official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/PokemonMastersGame) for upcoming news about the game.