Nintendo and The Pokemon Company just released another presentation focused entirely on thePokemonfranchise, and it had something to offer fans of all kinds.Pokemonfans who like to play on the go were met with official word that Alolan Pokemon would joinPokemon GOstarting in March, as well as getting a glimpse at the future ofPokemon Unite.As for console players, The Pokemon Company announced the Daybreak Update forPokemon Legends: Arceus, which seems like it could be the first of several updates, and even more crucially, the presentation revealedPokemon ScarletandViolet,the first installations inPokemon’s ninth generation of games.
Some fans may have noticed that a longtimePokemonproject was missing from the presentation, however:Pokemon Sleep.In 2019, fans learned abouta newPokemonmobile app calledPokemon Sleepthat would supposedly convert the user’s sleeping time into gameplay.Pokemon Sleepdefinitely sounds like a novel concept, but unfortunately, fans haven’t seen or heard anything about it since it was announced. Leaks suggest that the game may still be in the works, but it’s already well past its initial release target. It’s time for The Pokemon Company to provide some concrete details on the future ofPokemon Sleep,whether it’s bright or bleak.
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Pokemon Sleep’s History
Pokemon Sleepwas first announced in May 2019, alongside several other peripheralPokemonprojects, includingPokemon Homeand work on a secondDetective Pikachugame. Few details were provided at the time, but the app would supposedly keep track of the player’s sleep schedule with the help of the Pokemon GO Plus +, an upgraded form ofPokemon GO’s original wrist-mounted accessory. With the help ofPokemon Sleep, players could earn rewards for sleeping in the same way thatPokemon GOencourages walking. Aside from that concept, The Pokemon Company has said little to explain the app’s core mechanics.
Notably, though,Pokemon Sleepwas announced with a 2020 release target in mind. The app didn’t release in that year, which isn’t necessarily surprising, since 2020 saw tons of video game delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset, which created obstacles for industries of all kinds. Even so, The Pokemon Company hasn’t revealed a newPokemon Sleeprelease window since then; the game has gone entirely dormant. That silence grows increasingly frustrating asotherPokemonprojects likePokemon Legends: ArceusandPokemon Uniteget announced well afterPokemon Sleepand release well before it shows its face again.
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The Future of Pokemon Sleep
Thanks to aPokemon GOdatamine from the start of 2022, there’s at least a bit of hope forPokemon Sleep. Dataminers found references to a codenamedPokemon GOaccessory, which could be the Pokemon GO Plus +, as well as files that appear to referencePokemon Sleepin their names. It’s entirely possible that this data refers to some otherunknownPokemon GOproject, butPokemon Sleepstill seems like a likely suspect for now. Even thoughPokemon Sleepdidn’t make it intothe recent Pokemon Presents, its developers Select Button and Niantic could be quietly winding up for a properPokemon Sleepreveal in a future Nintendo Direct.
Regardless of whether thePokemon GOdatamine has anything to do withPokemon Sleep, it’s high time that The Pokemon Company confirms the game’s future in one way or another. It’s sad to seePokemon Sleephang in limbo for so long while otherPokemonprojects rush ahead at full steam.ThePokemonfranchise may be thriving overall, but nonetheless,Pokemon Sleep’s dubious status is a thorn in the side of fans. After nearly three years without another statement, the Pokemon Company needs to either release aPokemon Sleeppresentation sometime soon, or it needs to confirm that the game has been canceled. The matter ofPokemon Sleepreally should’ve been put to rest by now.
Pokemon Sleepis in development for Android and iOS devices.
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