https://pokejungle.net/2017/12/26/rumor-first-alleged-gen-viii-details-surface/
- The Chinese localization team has already finished translating the games’ script
- There will be no new Mega Evolutions introduced in the new games
- Z-Moves return and now use motion control to activate using the Joy-Cons
- Central plot revolves around the conflict between tradition and innovation
- Region inspiration has been rumored to be Spain or Italy
- Release to come late 2018 (~December) or early 2019
These details pale in comparison to what has also been said though, and that is the games feature a new, simplified >battle system which has been compared to that of the Digimon World games. For those not familiar with them they use >a real-time battle style in which moves are still selected via menu and include the option to attack or block moves from >your opponent. It has also been compared to the battle system of Pokkén Tournament in which moves are either >attacks, blocks or grabs and work in a rock-scissors-paper fashion.
The plot being about tradition vs. innovation hints that a major innovation may be coming to the series.
I think the Pokemon series needs an update in terms of core game mechanics. Battles are still heavily based on the JRPG mechanic of 20 years ago, and the various tweaks over the years have only gone so far. The battle system mentioned in the article sounds like that of [Freedom Force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Force_(2002_video_game)}, a 12-15 year-old superhero action RPG with a cult following.
Whatever the exact change to the battle system, Gamefreak will likely want to maintain the loose turn-based battling portrayed in the TV series, rather than radically changing the world of Pokemon that so many have come to love.
The release date seems about right, given the news flow that we've seen so far and the previous generation release timing. Nintendo needs a big release for the holiday season, and there's no franchise like Pokemon to move consoles. They'll probably need something bigger than Yoshi and Kirby to move the 20M units they're forecasting in 2018. The biggest question is whether or not they can finish develop in time. Nintendo has a history of delaying major titles to make sure they're ready for release (no argument here on making sure they release a quality product). They managed to hit all of their announced dates in 2017, but can they continue that streak?
What kind of battle system are you hoping to see? Any other changes you'd be excited about?