Game Freak, the developer behind the Pokémon games, is further diversifying its portfolio. The Japan-based studio has announced that it is partnering with Western publisher Take-Two Interactive original action-adventure game codenamed Project Bloom. The team released a concept art, featured above, and the game is said to be "bold and tonally different” from the developer's previous titles.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to create new IP that is bold and tonally different from our prior work,” said Kota Furushima, director at Game Freak, in a news release. “From the beginning, Private Division was the publisher we wanted to work with on our new game. Their track record and global expertise give us all the confidence to create a sweeping new action-adventure game that we can’t wait to share more about in the future.”

“We’re ready to help Game Freak unleash their potential and we’re honored to be the first Western publisher to work alongside this exceptionally talented and proven team to bring a bold new IP to market,” added Michael Worosz, chief strategy officer at Take-Two Interactive and head of Private Division.

While not much else is known about the project, Project Bloom is slated for a release during Take-Two Interactive’s 2026 fiscal year (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026). This means there's quite some time before we see more of the game and what it has to offer. What type of game do you think it will be?

SOURCE

 

[master801]

I don't have high expectations, or any expectations other than it being a shitty game considering this is Game Freak.

They've sunk like an iron ball in terms of quality since the DS days.

 

[duwen]

I don't have high expectations, or any expectations other than it being a shitty game considering this is Game Freak.

They've sunk like an iron ball in terms of quality since the DS GBA days.

FTFY

But, in all seriousness, a tonal shift could be just what they need to reinvigorate themselves and diversify beyond Pokémon.
There used to be a time when their non-Pokémon titles were far more interesting than their mainstream cashcow.

 

[MeleeMaster500]

I'm sure they'll get it right this 9th time

 

[Lazyt]

I don't have high expectations, or any expectations other than it being a shitty game considering this is Game Freak.

They've sunk like an iron ball in terms of quality since the DS days.

This is like a 50-50 chance you never know ;D

 

[altorn]

GameFreak's Little Town Hero was not good. Hopefully this game will be better.

 

[eyeliner]

More ninja hack speed slash high combo difficult stylish game for brain dead goons.

 

[Eredhel]

There's a game called Pulseman for SEGA Genesis from GameFreak. They should remake that wonderful game. It was one of my childhood favorites.

 

[ertaboy356b]

I don't have high expectations, or any expectations other than it being a shitty game considering this is Game Freak.

They've sunk like an iron ball in terms of quality since the DS days.

Pocket Card Jockey exists.

 

[YuseiFD]

Ah yes gamefreak, they couldn't get a turn based rpg right since ds days, im sure they have a handle on action...

 

[Foxi4]

I assume Game Freak is going through a major case of the burnout after god knows how many years of releasing the same game over and over with minor (and arguable) improvements, so I’m not surprised they’re itching to do just about anything that’s different from standard affair. I say “good” - even if the project isn’t particularly successful, it’ll let them get back to their bread and butter with a fresher mind.

 

[SDA]

Finally something from Game Freak that isn't Pokémon!

(For those who don't know, they also had developed the Yoshi puzzle game for NES and Game Boy back in 1991.)

 

[guisadop]

Exceptionally talented? Gamefreak?

 

[Desconocido90]

Finally something from Game Freak that isn't Pokémon!

(For those who don't know, they also had developed the Yoshi puzzle game for NES and Game Boy back in 1991.)

Game Freak occasionally develops non-pokemon games. For example: Pocket Card Jockey, Giga Wrecker, Little Town Hero.
They're forgettable at best.

 

[SDA]

Game Freak occasionally develops non-pokemon games. For example: Pocket Card Jockey, Giga Wrecker, Little Town Hero.
They're forgettable at best.

Better than nothing I'd say.

 

[duwen]

I like most of their pre-Pokémon games, and gens 1-3 were fantastic in their day, but... Drill Dozer was the last thing they did that was not only original but also really good... and that was 20 years ago!
I thought Harmo Knight was ok, but considering it was a rhythm game it had a decidedly bland and forgettable soundtrack.

 

[Acetonide]

I think Tembo was the last non-Pokemon game I enjoyed from them? Before that was Drill Dozer, and then some stuff from before Pokemon like Pulseman.

 

[HinaNaru Cutie]

"Take-Two Interactive" bro I wheezed, lmaooo...this is gonna be a dumpster fire, you're gonna work with one of the world's scummiest corporate companies out there that is like EA, - further more even if it wasn't that cash pig corporate company, it still will be a terrible thing to do because they released a trashy game for their main franchise and got away with scamming people...- good grief man, the game was completely rushed out and not even done.

They did it on purpose as well cause of the money they can easily get from fanatics.
Whatever this will end up being..I just yeah never mind it gonna either be a flop..which I would not be surprised at all or a success which will surprise me e.e...either way I can't wait for the memes to roll out man...

Edit; "Their track record and global expertise give us all the confidence to create a sweeping new action-adventure game that we can’t wait to share more about in the future" - holy cow, never mind this is gonna be a circus.

 

[jimkage]

Well im excited, I played Giga Wrecker so much it could be considered an abuse. '-'

 

[raxadian]

Considering their latest Pokemon game"quality" this better be good.