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. Details on this change are provided below.

Pokémon Sleep Development Transitioned to New Pokémon Subsidiary

From Select Button to Pokémon Works

Launched in March 2023, Pokémon Works, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company, has assumed responsibility for Pokémon Sleep's development. This marks a shift from the previous developer, Select Button.

An in-app announcement (translated from Japanese) confirmed the transition of development and operation from Select Button Co., Ltd. to Pokémon Works. The exact impact on the global version remains unclear, as the news isn't yet reflected in the global app's news section.

Pokémon Works, a collaboration between The Pokémon Company and Iruka Co., Ltd., is relatively new. Its representative director, Takuya Iwasaki, stated on their website that the company aims to "create an experience that makes Pokémon more real... so that everyone can enjoy meeting and adventuring with Pokémon."

Interestingly, Pokémon Works shares a Tokyo location with ILCA, the studio behind Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and a collaborator on Pokémon HOME – a service to which Pokémon Works also contributed.

While their past Pokémon-related work is limited, their stated vision suggests a focus on enhancing the connection between players and Pokémon within the Pokémon Sleep experience. How this will manifest remains to be seen.