We’re going on a trip to Pand Land. That’s not a euphemism, that’s the next video game from Pokémon developer Game Freak, at least according to a new trademark filing.
Spotted by Gematsu, Game Freak officially filed the Pand Land trademark on November 8, 2023. Filed alongside a potential logo for the upcoming title, the trademark was specifically stated to be related to the video game industry.
While Game Freak is working on new Pokémon games, including the next generation for Nintendo Switch, the company is also working on new IP. Game Freak’s next new IP has been developed under the working title Project Bloom, but not much is known about the game.
Outside of one image, Game Freak has kept details of Project Bloom close to its chest. We know it’s an action adventure game, we know it has a focus on fantastical nature, we know it’s not a Nintendo exclusive, and we know it’s published by Private Division. Unfortunately, that’s all we know.
Project Bloom does at least seem to be more interesting than some of Game Freak’s other non-Pokémon games. The studio’s last non-Poké adventure, Little Town Hero was a mediocre but unique RPG that failed to impress fans the way even the worst Pokémon games have.
Nevertheless, Game Freak has made some nifty original titles over the past generation. Let’s not forget the brilliant action platformer Tembo the Badass Elephant or the cutesy musical HarmoKnight.
Project Bloom, or now Pand Land, does still have a lot to live up to. As Game Freak’s first big project that isn’t a Pokémon game, we could see something truly special. While it is still being developed by a small team, its removal from Nintendo’s lower power hardware could at least result in a good looking and performing game. (Cough, looking at you Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.)
If you want to give Game Freak some love, the final Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC is out right now on Nintendo Switch.
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