You know, that's actually an interesting statement, simply because 2016 is when Pokémon officially celebrates its 20th anniversary. I personally think we might just see a special game released to tie into it that year, after the Kalos third version/sequels next year. Here's why it'd work:
At the moment, I'd probably put stock in a Wii U game set in Kanto (or even multiple regions) rather than yet another Gen I remake. With their increasing work in a 3D space on the 3DS, the barriers to GameFreak developing for the consoles have fallen in recent years - and indeed, there's enough to say that the current 3DS games are built with an engine designed to expand onto more powerful hardware with only a bit of work.
Unlike previous games - particularly those by Genius Sonority - it wouldn't need another developer to handle the game's duties, and GameFreak are at a large enough point in their business that they can already divide into multiple teams for multiple games at any rate.
Masuda is seemingly not involved with Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as Director (though we can assume he will remain credited as Producer and is obviously still involved in the development one way or another), which means that he has rather immediately moved onto his next project after X and Y - much like his roles in the previous two Generations where he led as director for Diamond and Pearl, and Black and White and then moved on - effectively to the next Generation - immediately afterwards.
That means that Masuda is either working on Generation VII right now, or on something else entirely. Harmoknight does mean it could literally be anything, including a non-Pokemon project, but as it is the 20th anniversary of the Pokemon franchise coming up, I would expect it to be directly related to a project with this in mind. I also somewhat expect that, given the life extension Nintendo has given the 3DS, there won't be a hurry to move to the next Generation, either, and, in fact, I question if there'll ever be another true 'new Generation' ever again - but I'll explain my thoughts on that another time...
The Wii U is an obvious choice as it not only allows them to do something new, but it allows them to continue their plans on the 3DS unabated - which obviously includes OR/AS this year and almost certainly an additional Kalos title next year. It also, frankly, has to be what Nintendo are pushing
so so so hard for as the Wii U continues to struggle. A console Pokemon title from Game Freak is, with barely a hint of hyperbole, a license to print enough money to buy half of Africa. An anniversary title on the 3DS would do well, but would draw criticism if it focused so much on Kanto it effectively
was yet another Gen I remake. Any fully featured title on the Wii U would do
better and likely avoid any such criticism. It seems like a no brainer, really.
I do think, whatever happens, that in 2016, we will see a
lot of Kanto and its inhabitants regardless. It's such an obvious nostalgia tapping point that even X and Y focused so heavily on it in an attempt to bring people, who may have lapsed in the Generations in between, back on board. It would be worth remembering though that it wouldn't merely be 20 years since the original Pokemon games, but 20 years of
more Pokemon. I think we will see a fair amount of celebration about the rest of Pokemon's many many assets. A multi-region game, if it's
ever going to happen, would probably happen in 2016.
So much so that I'm curious what part of my post makes you think I'm saying that?
If so this could be why the sudden shiny rate increase in XY and now with this, Im almost certain Nintendo is planning something.
