Pokemon Sleep Starts Transition to Pokemon Works as Main Developer

Pokémon Sleep’s development is transitioning from Select Button to Pokémon Works. This newly established Pokémon Company subsidiary will now oversee the game's ongoing development and future updates. Read on for details.

Pokémon Sleep Development Transitioned to Pokémon Works

From Select Button to Pokémon Works

Launched in March 2023, Pokémon Works, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company, has taken over Pokémon Sleep's development from Select Button. An in-app announcement (translated from Japanese) confirmed the shift in development and operational responsibilities.

The announcement stated that development and operation were previously shared between Select Button Co., Ltd. and The Pokémon Company, Ltd., but this will gradually transition to Pokémon Works. The global app's news section hasn't yet reflected this change.

Pokémon Works' current projects remain largely unknown. However, their representative director, Takuya Iwasaki, describes the company as a collaborative effort between The Pokémon Company and Iruka Co., Ltd.

Interestingly, Pokémon Works shares a Tokyo location with ILCA, the studio behind the 2021 Pokémon remakes, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and a co-developer of Pokémon HOME. Iwasaki also confirmed Pokémon Works' contribution to Pokémon HOME.

Despite their limited public history, Pokémon Works aims to create more immersive Pokémon experiences, promising to make "Pokémon more real... so that everyone can enjoy meeting and adventuring with Pokémon." The application of this vision to Pokémon Sleep remains to be seen.