This Leaked Pokémon Design Could Show Where The Series Is Headed In Gen 10 & Beyond

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The Game Freak leaks may have uncovered a hidden potential for the series' future. The huge data breach that occurred at Game Freak earlier this year has resulted in the release of a plethora of previously unseen material relating to the franchise, including beta versions and prototypes of previous generations, alongside codenames for potential future entries. fans have had plenty of new information to sift through, not least of which being previously unseen concept art for scrapped Pokémon.

These leaked character designs give a huge glimpse into the process of creating Pokémon, and the many creatures that almost had a chance of being included. This ranged from early designs for well-known Pokémon, as well as designs for Pokémon that were scrapped altogether. While the leaks are an exciting opportunity to delve further into the franchise's decades-long history, it also shows a more inventive side to Pokémon design. One example in particular could hold the key towards a more ambitious, creative direction for Generation 10 and beyond.

Some of the scrapped designs (archived by Centro Leaks, a popular leaker on X, formerly Twitter) show the need for a fresh take on future Pokémon, as they contrast greatly to what previous generations have offered. The best example comes from concept art for a scrapped Pokémon that has a strong resemblance to the infamous MissingNo. glitch that can be found in. The design for this Pokémon serves as a great piece of fan service, as Game Freak was clearly willing to acknowledge a lesser-known part of 's well-established history.

The true appeal of this design, however, comes from the more abstract, darker approach that was taken. Gone are the large googly eyes and vibrant color scheme fans would come to expect. Instead, this Pokémon is a multi-legged creature with an apparent ability to contort itself in a way that looks unsettling. The Pokémon's lack of distinct features, save for the symbols on its side, make for a creature that feels