Pokémon Sleep Development Transitioned to Pokémon Works
Select Button, the original developer of Pokémon Sleep, is transferring development responsibilities to Pokémon Works, a newly established Pokémon Company subsidiary. This change was recently announced.
Pokémon Works Takes the Reins
Launched in March 2024, Pokémon Works' role has been somewhat mysterious until now. The Pokémon Sleep app's in-game announcement (via machine translation) confirmed the shift in development and ongoing operations from Select Button to Pokémon Works.
The announcement, initially appearing only in the Japanese version of the app, stated that development and operation of Pokémon Sleep would gradually transition. The impact on the global version remains unconfirmed as the news isn't yet reflected in the global app's news section.
Pokémon Works' background is partially revealed through a message from its Representative Director, Takuya Iwasaki. The company is a collaborative venture between The Pokémon Company and Iruka Co., Ltd. Its Shinjuku, Tokyo location is notably shared with ILCA, known for its work on Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon HOME. Iwasaki's statement also confirmed Pokémon Works' contribution to Pokémon HOME.
While its Pokémon-related projects have been limited, Pokémon Works aims to "create an experience that makes Pokémon more real... so that everyone can enjoy meeting and adventuring with Pokémon." How this vision will shape the future of Pokémon Sleep remains to be seen.
