View source for User:Frozen Fennec/Development Cycle of Pokémon Red and Green

{{User:Abcboy/Edit}}
This page describes the development cycle of Pokémon Red and Green.

[[File:RG prerelease flyer original release date.jpg|left|thumb|Pre-release flyer with the earlier release date]]

==Capsule Monsters==
During the year of 1990, Satoshi Tajiri showed off the concept for a game that would have been called Capsule Monsters. This game acted as a predecessor to Pokémon during it's development and would have introduced a new unique way of using the link cables for GameBoy Pockets to trade and battle with other players. 

==No Mew present==
According to the interview by [[Satoru Iwata]] with [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]] and [[Shigeki Morimoto]] about the release of {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, localized as ''Iwata Asks'', they admitted that after the {{wp|debugging}} tools were removed, they added {{p|Mew}} in the remaining space on the {{wp|Read-only memory|ROM}}. [[Nintendo]] thought that this would have been risky because altering the internal data after completing the testing period meant that any new {{wp|Software bug|bugs}} and/or {{wp|glitch}}es created by adding data without recurring to debugging tools would have been much harder to fix. Standard {{wp|Computer programming|programming}} practices usually discourage altering the {{wp|source code}} and not testing it just before releasing the {{wp|software}} to the customer.<ref>[http://nintendodsi.com/iwata-asks-chapter.jsp?interviewId=6&volumeId=1&chapterId=1 Iwata Asks - Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version]</ref>

==Poké Balls==
{{main|Poké Ball}}
Some concept art depicts [[Poké Ball]]s on the ground, in two pieces. This is most likely just a carryover from when Pokémon was still the concept of [[Capsule Monsters]]. Strangely, the original Poké Ball sprites from {{game|Red and Green|s}} lack the button in the center of the Poké Ball.

==Rebattling Trainers==
In an interview with [[Shōko Nakagawa]] in her book [[Shōko Nakagawa: Pokémon Taught Me The Meaning of Life]], [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]] revealed that originally, the game was programmed to trigger a battle with each Trainer any time the player walked by them, regardless if the player had already defeated them in battle previously. The [[wild Pokémon]] encounter rate was also significantly higher originally. The Trainer rebattling was omitted from the final release and the wild Pokémon encounter rate was significantly reduced.<ref>[http://dogasu.bulbagarden.net/features/nakagawa_shouko_pokemon_meaning_life.html Dogasu's Backpack: Nakagawa Shouko "Pokemon Taught Me the Meaning of Life"]</ref>

==Release date==
The games were originally scheduled for a December 21, 1995 release, according to an old Nintendo of Japan flyer.<ref>[http://famicom.chu.jp/p/logs/log_disp.php?no=S0001&ind=10001 すばらしきポケットモンスター赤緑（表側）の広告]</ref> This could explain the copyright year of 1995 that appears in the games' introductory sequence, and all subsequent games and official merchandise.
{{-}}

==Prerelease border==
On page 153 of the December 1995 book [[Satoshi Tajiri: New Game Design|New Game Design]] by [[Game Freak]] is a summary of {{2v2|Red|Green}}'s final plot. Two screenshots of the game are shown which use an unseen border resembling a [[Super Game Boy]] border. In it, "POCKET MONSTERS!" is written in a different size. The border has more Pokémon on it than the Super Game Boy borders from the final game. {{p|Clefairy}} and {{p|Pidgey}} are included, suggesting the screenshot may be from Japanese Red. {{p|Kangaskhan}} does not appear in the border.

<gallery>
NGD border 2.png|Title screen screenshot from New Game Design.
NGD border 1.png|Battle screen screenshot from New Game Design.
Japanese RedTitle SGB.png|Final game's Super Game Boy border for comparison.
</gallery>

==Concept art==
[[File:Pokemon conceptart.jpg|right|thumb|Early concept art by [[Ken Sugimori]]]]
During a gaming exhibition called ''{{wp|Game On (exhibition)|Game On}}'', early concept art of [[Capsule Monsters]] by [[Ken Sugimori]] was featured, along with [[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire beta|pre-release material]] from {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}. The concept art depicts rough versions of various concepts that made it into the final releases of the [[Generation I]] games. They seem to include various {{pkmn|battle}}s, the {{safari|Kanto}}, {{ga|Red}} riding on a {{p|Lapras}}, a {{p|Blastoise}}, [[Celadon City]], [[Silph Co.]], and a town with a fountain which could have been reworked into [[Celadon City]]. Some other {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} are identifiable in a raw or semi-normal form, such as {{p|Gastly}}, and others are prototypical of an entire class of Pokémon, such as a basic {{type|Dragon}}.

==''GameCenter CX''==
{{incomplete|section|Expand based on the information provided by Satoshi Tajiri, if applicable}}
A Japan-exclusive special Pokémon episode of '''''{{wp|GameCenter CX}}''''', known as ''Retro Game Master'' outside of Japan, included an interview with [[Satoshi Tajiri]], where he revealed early {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} character profiles of {{p|Nidoking}}, {{p|Slowbro}} and {{p|Kadabra}}. Notably, they are given a [[National Pokédex]] number which matches their [[List of Pokémon by index number in Generation I|internal index number]], rather than their final [[Kanto Pokédex]] number. Nidoking, for instance is noted as being #007, rather than #034, either suggesting that there was another method of ordering the Pokémon proposed, or that they reflect their ordering in the internal data. The latter is supported by interviews with [[Ken Sugimori]], which verify that {{p|Rhydon}}, which has an index number of 001, was the first Pokémon ever created, and early sketches from [[Capsule Monsters]] featuring Rhydon. Nidoking is also referred to as '''マイコー♂''' ''Maikō♂'', indicating that there were either placeholder or alternate names for Pokémon before the development of {{game|Red and Green|s}} had finished.

==Pokémon names==
[[File:Generation I prototype English names.jpg|right|thumb|Australian 1998 promotional poster with early names for {{cat|Generation I Pokémon}}]]
During the promotional period that preceded the English release of both the {{pkmn|anime}} and {{game|Red and Blue|s}}, a large amount of {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} were shown with different names from those they had in the final releases. Some of these names were similar to their final names, but some were quite close to their Japanese names, and others were completely different from any current Pokémon name.

In addition to promotional materials distributed before the games' English releases, the book [[Pokémon Trainer's Survival Guide]], one of the earliest player's guides available in North America, erroneously refers to Haunter as Spectre, its pre-release name.

{| align="center" style="{{roundy}}; border: 2px solid #{{red color}}; background: #{{red color}}"
! style="{{roundytl|5px}}; background: #{{green color light}}" | #
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | &nbsp;
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | Final name
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | Early name
! style="{{roundytr|5px}}; background: #{{green color light}}" | Japanese name
|- style="background:#FFF"
|006
|{{MSP/3|006|Charizard}}
|{{p|Charizard}}
|Charizr
|Lizardon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|010
|{{MSP/3|010|Caterpie}}
|{{p|Caterpie}}
|{{tt|Catterp|May be &quot;Catterpie&quot; in full}}
|Caterpie
|- style="background:#FFF"
|014
|{{MSP/3|014|Kakuna}}
|{{p|Kakuna}}
|Kokoon
|Cocoon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|015
|{{MSP/3|015|Beedrill}}
|{{p|Beedrill}}
|Beedril
|Spear
|- style="background:#FFF"
|016
|{{MSP/3|016|Pidgey}}
|{{p|Pidgey}}
|Pidge
|Poppo
|- style="background:#FFF"
|018
|{{MSP/3|018|Pidgeot}}
|{{p|Pidgeot}}
|Pidgeott
|Pigeot
|- style="background:#FFF"
|019
|{{MSP/3|019|Rattata}}
|{{p|Rattata}}
|Rattatak
|Koratta
|- style="background:#FFF"
|023
|{{MSP/3|023|Ekans}}
|{{p|Ekans}}
|{{tt|Nagahis|May be &quot;Nagahiss&quot; in full}}/Arbo
|Arbo
|- style="background:#FFF"
|024
|{{MSP/3|024|Arbok}}
|{{p|Arbok}}
|Nagaasp
|Arbok
|- style="background:#FFF"
|028
|{{MSP/3|028|Sandslash}}
|{{p|Sandslash}}
|Sandstorm
|Sandpan
|- style="background:#FFF"
|035
|{{MSP/3|035|Clefairy}}
|{{p|Clefairy}}
|Aria
|Pippi
|- style="background:#FFF"
|036
|{{MSP/3|036|Clefable}}
|{{p|Clefable}}
|Ariala
|Pixy
|- style="background:#FFF"
|037
|{{MSP/3|037|Vulpix}}
|{{p|Vulpix}}
|Foxfire
|Rokon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|038
|{{MSP/3|038|Ninetales}}
|{{p|Ninetales}}
|{{tt|Ninetai|May be &quot;Ninetails&quot; in full}}/Nine Tales
|Kyukon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|039
|{{MSP/3|039|Jigglypuff}}
|{{p|Jigglypuff}}
|Pudding
|Purin
|- style="background:#FFF"
|040
|{{MSP/3|040|Wigglytuff}}
|{{p|Wigglytuff}}
|Custard
|Pukurin
|- style="background:#FFF"
|043
|{{MSP/3|043|Oddish}}
|{{p|Oddish}}
|Ladish
|Nazonokusa
|- style="background:#FFF"
|046
|{{MSP/3|046|Paras}}
|{{p|Paras}}
|Parasyte
|Paras
|- style="background:#FFF"
|050
|{{MSP/3|050|Diglett}}
|{{p|Diglett}}
|Digda
|Digda
|- style="background:#FFF"
|058
|{{MSP/3|058|Growlithe}}
|{{p|Growlithe}}
|Flamie
|Gardie
|- style="background:#FFF"
|059
|{{MSP/3|059|Arcanine}}
|{{p|Arcanine}}
|Blaze
|Windie
|- style="background:#FFF"
|060
|{{MSP/3|060|Poliwag}}
|{{p|Poliwag}}
|Aqua
|Nyoromo
|- style="background:#FFF"
|061
|{{MSP/3|061|Poliwhirl}}
|{{p|Poliwhirl}}
|{{tt|Aquanau|May be &quot;Aquanaut&quot; in full}}/Polihirl
|Nyorozo
|- style="background:#FFF"
|062
|{{MSP/3|062|Poliwrath}}
|{{p|Poliwrath}}
|{{tt|Aquamar|May be &quot;Aquamarine&quot; in full}}
|Nyorobon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|063
|{{MSP/3|063|Abra}}
|{{p|Abra}}
|Hocus
|Casey
|- style="background:#FFF"
|064
|{{MSP/3|064|Kadabra}}
|{{p|Kadabra}}
|Pocus
|Yungerer
|- style="background:#FFF"
|066
|{{MSP/3|066|Machop}}
|{{p|Machop}}
|Karate/Kara-tee
|Wanriky
|- style="background:#FFF"
|067
|{{MSP/3|067|Machoke}}
|{{p|Machoke}}
|Kungfo/Kung-foo
|Goriky
|- style="background:#FFF"
|068
|{{MSP/3|068|Machamp}}
|{{p|Machamp}}
|Judoh/Ju-doh
|Kairiky
|- style="background:#FFF"
|072
|{{MSP/3|072|Tentacool}}
|{{p|Tentacool}}
|Jilly
|Menokurage
|- style="background:#FFF"
|073
|{{MSP/3|073|Tentacruel}}
|{{p|Tentacruel}}
|Manowar/Man O War
|Dokukurage
|- style="background:#FFF"
|078
|{{MSP/3|078|Rapidash}}
|{{p|Rapidash}}
|Gallop
|Gallop
|- style="background:#FFF"
|079
|{{MSP/3|079|Slowpoke}}
|{{p|Slowpoke}}
|Slowmo
|Yadon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|081
|{{MSP/3|081|Magnemite}}
|{{p|Magnemite}}
|Coil
|Coil
|- style="background:#FFF"
|082
|{{MSP/3|082|Magneton}}
|{{p|Magneton}}
|Recoil
|Rarecoil
|- style="background:#FFF"
|083
|{{MSP/3|083|Farfetch'd}}
|{{p|Farfetch'd}}
|Fowler
|Kamonegi
|- style="background:#FFF"
|084
|{{MSP/3|084|Doduo}}
|{{p|Doduo}}
|Dodo
|Dodo
|- style="background:#FFF"
|087
|{{MSP/3|087|Dewgong}}
|{{p|Dewgong}}
|Manaty
|Jugon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|092
|{{MSP/3|092|Gastly}}
|{{p|Gastly}}
|Spirit
|Ghos
|- style="background:#FFF"
|093
|{{MSP/3|093|Haunter}}
|{{p|Haunter}}
|Spectre
|Ghost
|- style="background:#FFF"
|094
|{{MSP/3|094|Gengar}}
|{{p|Gengar}}
|Phantom
|Gangar
|- style="background:#FFF"
|096
|{{MSP/3|096|Drowzee}}
|{{p|Drowzee}}
|Sleeper
|Sleep
|- style="background:#FFF"
|099
|{{MSP/3|099|Kingler}}
|{{p|Kingler}}
|Kingle
|Kingler
|- style="background:#FFF"
|102
|{{MSP/3|102|Exeggcute}}
|{{p|Exeggcute}}
|{{tt|Eggstre|May be &quot;Eggstreme&quot; in full}}
|Tamatama
|- style="background:#FFF"
|103
|{{MSP/3|103|Exeggutor}}
|{{p|Exeggutor}}
|{{tt|Eggscut|May be &quot;Eggscute&quot; in full}}
|Nassy
|- style="background:#FFF"
|104
|{{MSP/3|104|Cubone}}
|{{p|Cubone}}
|Orphon
|Karakara
|- style="background:#FFF"
|105
|{{MSP/3|105|Marowak}}
|{{p|Marowak}}
|Guardia
|Garagara
|- style="background:#FFF"
|106
|{{MSP/3|106|Hitmonlee}}
|{{p|Hitmonlee}}
|Lee
|Sawamular
|- style="background:#FFF"
|107
|{{MSP/3|107|Hitmonchan}}
|{{p|Hitmonchan}}
|Chan
|Ebiwalar
|- style="background:#FFF"
|108
|{{MSP/3|108|Lickitung}}
|{{p|Lickitung}}
|Tonguetyd
|Beroringa
|- style="background:#FFF"
|109
|{{MSP/3|109|Koffing}}
|{{p|Koffing}}
|Ny
|Dogars
|- style="background:#FFF"
|110
|{{MSP/3|110|Weezing}}
|{{p|Weezing}}
|La
|Matadogas
|- style="background:#FFF"
|113
|{{MSP/3|113|Chansey}}
|{{p|Chansey}}
|Lucky
|Lucky
|- style="background:#FFF"
|114
|{{MSP/3|114|Tangela}}
|{{p|Tangela}}
|Medusa/Meduza
|Monjara
|- style="background:#FFF"
|118
|{{MSP/3|118|Goldeen}}
|{{p|Goldeen}}
|Goldy
|Tosakinto
|- style="background:#FFF"
|119
|{{MSP/3|119|Seaking}}
|{{p|Seaking}}
|Neptune
|Azumao
|- style="background:#FFF"
|122
|{{MSP/3|122|Mr. Mime}}
|{{p|Mr. Mime}}
|Mrmime
|Barrierd
|- style="background:#FFF"
|123
|{{MSP/3|123|Scyther}}
|{{p|Scyther}}
|Stryke
|Strike
|- style="background:#FFF"
|130
|{{MSP/3|130|Gyarados}}
|{{p|Gyarados}}
|Skulkraken
|Gyarados
|- style="background:#FFF"
|131
|{{MSP/3|131|Lapras}}
|{{p|Lapras}}
|Ness
|Laplace
|- style="background:#FFF"
|132
|{{MSP/3|132|Ditto}}
|{{p|Ditto}}
|Morpho
|Metamon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|133
|{{MSP/3|133|Eevee}}
|{{p|Eevee}}
|Eon
|Eievui
|- style="background:#FFF"
|137
|{{MSP/3|137|Porygon}}
|{{p|Porygon}}
|Poregon
|Porygon
|- style="background:#FFF"
|138
|{{MSP/3|138|Omanyte}}
|{{p|Omanyte}}
|Ess
|Omnite
|- style="background:#FFF"
|139
|{{MSP/3|139|Omastar}}
|{{p|Omastar}}
|Kargo
|Omstar
|- style="background:#FFF"
|140
|{{MSP/3|140|Kabuto}}
|{{p|Kabuto}}
|Att
|Kabuto
|- style="background:#FFF"
|141
|{{MSP/3|141|Kabutops}}
|{{p|Kabutops}}
|Lantis
|Kabutops
|- style="background:#FFF"
|142
|{{MSP/3|142|Aerodactyl}}
|{{p|Aerodactyl}}
|Ptera
|Ptera
|- style="background:#FFF"
|147
|{{MSP/3|147|Dratini}}
|{{p|Dratini}}
|Dragoon
|Miniryu
|- style="background:#FFF"
| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" | 148
|{{MSP/3|148|Dragonair}}
|{{p|Dragonair}}
|Dragyn
| style="{{roundybr|5px}}" | Hakuryu
|}
{{-}}

==Text==
[[File:Brock RB early battle screenshot.png|right|thumb|"The <sc>Brock</sc> wants to fight!"]]
Before the English releases of {{game|Red and Blue|s}}, screenshots were released of a {{pkmn|battle}} with the {{ga|Blue|rival}} where the text string "''The <sc>Blue</sc> wants to fight!''" was used. While this text would work with a typical {{pkmn|Trainer}}, such as "''The <sc>Lass</sc> wants to fight!''" or "''The <sc>Hiker</sc> wants to fight!''", as they were not given personal names until [[Generation II]], it would cause problems with [[Gym Leader]], [[Elite Four]], [[rival]], and link battles, leaving them to end up as "''The <sc>Misty</sc> wants to fight!''" or "''The <sc>Lance</sc> wants to fight!''", as these Trainers did not at the time have titles, only their names. Because of this, the {{wp|Article (grammar)#Definite article|definite article}} '''''The''''' was dropped in the final releases, leading to the somewhat odd sentence style in [[Generation I|Generations I]] and {{gen|II}} of:
* "''{Trainer's class or name} wants to fight!''"{{sup/1|RBY}}
* "''{Trainer's class and name} wants to battle!''"{{sup/2|GSC}}

A screenshot in the instruction manual of English Red and Blue still contains the text "''The <sc>Brock</sc> wants to fight!''", possibly suggesting a late removal. The instruction manual also mentions '''Pokémon Leaders''' instead of Gym Leaders.

A slightly different grammar was also going to be used for other text strings.

* "''{Player} sent {Pokémon} out!''" instead of "''{Player} sent out {Pokémon}!''"
* "''A wild {Pokémon} appeared!''" became just "''Wild {Pokémon} appeared!''" (this change would be reverted in [[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]], where it has been kept since then)
** Similarly, "''The enemy {Pokémon} fainted!''" became simply "''Enemy {Pokémon} fainted!''" (also reverted in XD as the {{wp|Article (grammar)#Definite article|definite article}} '''''The''''' was reinstated)

In a screenshot from the instruction manual, [[Professor Oak]] says "PLANT POKé BULBASAUR?" instead of "plant POKéMON BULBASAUR?" as in the final game.

==References==
<references/>