Earlier today, The Pokemon Company aired a short presentation for Pokemon Masters sharing more about its expected release date and gameplay.

According to the presentation, Pokemon Masters is targeted to launch sometime in Summer 2019, and is based around the idea of befriending Trainers in addition to Pokemon. The game will be free-to-start on mobile, but is confirmed to have in-app purchases.

You can check out a summary of the key details below, along with some screenshots from the game:

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Story & Setting

• Pokemon Masters was inspired by Pokemon Illustrator Ken Sugimori’s idea of a game where players befriended Trainers in addition to Pokemon
• Set on the artificial island of Pasio, which is located “somewhere” in the Pokemon World
• Trainers from all across the different regions have gathered to compete in the Pokemon Masters League held in Pasio
• During the game, players will explore Pasio and befriend various Trainers on the island, forming teams with them
• The goal of Pokemon Masters is to form teams with different trainers from past Pokemon games, and collect badges to qualify for the Pokemon Masters League
• Game has original art and battle animations
• Game will be free-to-start, and is confirmed to have in-app purchases

Trainers & Sync Pairs 

• Each Trainer is accompanied by a single partner Pokemon, forming duos called Sync Pairs
• Sync Pairs can have different roles, such as “Strike” or “Support”
• There will be 65 Sync Pairs available at launch, with more being added over time
  • Confirmed Pairs at Launch Include:
    • • Red & Charizard
      • Brock & Onix
      • Misty & Starmie
      • Rosa & Snivy
      • Blue & Pidgeot
      • Cynthia & Garchomp
      • Iris & Hazorus
      • Clair & Kingdra
      • Brendan & Treecko
      • Flannery & Torkoal
      • Thorton & Bronzong
      • Korrina & Lucario
      • Acerola & Pallossand
      • Barry & Piplup
• Sync Pairs are recruited as players “progress through the story”

View post on imgur.com

Battle System

• Battles are 3 V 3, and take place in real time against AI opponents
• Moves are executed by tapping the screen as quickly as possible, limited based on the Move Gauge
• Players can not only command their Pokemon to attack, but also command the Trainers to support using items
  • Trainers have “Trainer Moves” that they can use
  • Items can heal or increase Pokemon’s stats
• Pokemon have special moves called “Sync Moves”, powerful attacks performed by specific sync pairs.

As stated, Pokemon Masters is expected to release sometime in Summer 2019 with more details to be shared at a later time.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.