Select Button, the development team behind Pokémon Sleep, is handing over the reins to Pokémon Works, a newly established Pokémon subsidiary. This transition marks a significant shift in the game's development and future updates.
Pokémon Sleep Development Transitions to Pokémon Works
From Select Button to Pokémon Works
Established earlier this year, Pokémon Works, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company, will now oversee Pokémon Sleep's development and future updates, taking over from Select Button.
An in-app announcement (translated from Japanese) revealed the transition. The announcement stated that development and operation were previously shared between Select Button and The Pokémon Company, but are now shifting to Pokémon Works. The impact on the global version of the app remains unclear, as this announcement isn't yet reflected in the global in-app news section.
Pokémon Works' current projects remain largely undisclosed. However, their website reveals the company was formed by The Pokémon Company and Iruka Co., Ltd. Interestingly, Pokémon Works shares a Tokyo location with ILCA, the studio behind the 2021 Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl remakes, and a co-developer of Pokémon HOME. Pokémon Works' representative director, Takuya Iwasaki, also confirmed their contribution to Pokémon HOME development.
While their past Pokémon-related work is limited, Pokémon Works aims to "create an experience that makes Pokémon more real… so that everyone can enjoy meeting and adventuring with Pokémon." How this vision will be implemented in Pokémon Sleep remains to be seen.
