>>58347756Anon, Arceus was planned to fit in the end of the release cycle of Gen 8 (remember BDSP didn't exist until after L: A got started) before Gen 9's reveal. L: Z-A was planned for last year, as was Switch 2 but Nintendo delayed S2 to build stock reserves (leading to it becoming the fastest-selling console ever, as there's the stock capacity to ensure supply). That would have left this year for the DLC before Gen 10's reveal in '26 but as there was a delay of console, Game Freak had to delay the game (as it was obviously intended to push S2 uptake, given how they've done nothing but market it with S2 footage from S2's reveal). And since it got delayed, they couldn't wait until after launch to reveal the DLC (they're on a timer, Pokémon day '26 is the beginning of the end of Gen 9) and also needed to release it as soon as possible, before hitting the marketing cycle of Gen 10. That it's storyline is confirmed to occur after the events of the game is another limitation, kids are the prime audience for the games and they want to afford children the time to both get and complete the game (because many won't get their copy until winter gift-giving season in some fashion), leading to its Feb 28th release date. Game Freak did what they intended to do both times with these games, not their fault, outside factors conspired to subvert the presentation (BDSP taking the November release slot, Nintendo delaying S2, leading to Game Freak having to shit out two planned years of content within 6 months of each other, to stay on track with hyping Gen 10 and the series 30th anniversary).
