Game Freak Hack Exposes Pokémon Roadmap Through 2030, Reveals Gen 10 Details

Game Freak, the developer behind the beloved Pokémon franchise, has once again fallen victim to hackers, with a fresh wave of leaked data exposing the company’s ambitious plans for the next five years. The latest breach, linked to the same individual responsible for last year’s notorious “Teraleak,” has revealed internal documents detailing upcoming game releases, features, and development timelines that extend all the way to 2030[1].

What the Leak Reveals

The leaked information suggests that Game Freak has an extensive pipeline of Pokémon projects in various stages of development. According to the datamined files, the Gen 10 game is reportedly titled Pokémon Wind and Waves, centered around a theme of “infinity” and slated for release in 2026, with downloadable content planned for 2027[1]. Early development builds allegedly show the game experimenting with MMO-style mechanics, including a central lobby area where players can interact with each other, access quest boards, and participate in raid boss battles. The game may also introduce underwater exploration, a feature fans have long requested[1].

Beyond Gen 10, the roadmap reportedly includes a new Pokémon Legends game set in the Galar region, planned for 2027 or later, and an ambitious multi-region remake internally codenamed Project Seed targeting a 2028 release[1]. This remake could potentially allow players to travel freely between different regions from past games while incorporating online multiplayer mechanics—essentially creating a full-fledged Pokémon MMO experience[1]. Perhaps most surprising, internal documents suggest that Gen 11 is already in development with a projected 2030 launch window[3].

The Hack Confirmed

Game Freak officially acknowledged the security breach in a statement, confirming that the company was hacked in August 2024 by a third party[2]. The breach has resulted in an unprecedented leak of internal data spanning over 25 years of Pokémon history, including source code, concept art, design documents, and pitch decks[2]. Tragically, the leak also exposed personal information of more than 2,500 Game Freak employees, including their full names and contact details, potentially putting them at significant risk[2].

Important Caveats

While the scale of this leak is substantial, it’s crucial to approach the information with appropriate skepticism. The hacked data may not accurately reflect Game Freak’s current plans, and many of the alleged game details could change or be abandoned entirely before any official releases[1]. Adding to the uncertainty, some of the planning documents are reportedly from 2020, making them five years old and potentially outdated[1]. Game development is an iterative process where plans frequently evolve, especially over such extended timelines.

Legal Action Underway

Nintendo and Game Freak are not taking this breach lightly. The companies are pursuing legal action against the individual behind the leak[4], following a pattern similar to responses from other gaming companies like Rockstar Games and Insomniac Games when they faced comparable security breaches[2].

This incident serves as another reminder of the ongoing cybersecurity challenges facing the gaming industry and the serious consequences of data breaches—not just for companies and their intellectual property, but especially for the employees whose personal information has been compromised.

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