Which game helped inspire Omega Force’s selection as co-developer of Pokémon Pokopia?

Dragon Quest Builders 2 helped inspire Omega Force’s selection as co-developer of Pokémon Pokopia.

Game Freak wanted to create a Pokémon project centered on building habitats, but it lacked extensive experience in the sandbox genre. The Pokémon Company recommended Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force, whose previous work included Dragon Quest Builders 2.

That earlier game is relevant because it combines exploration, resource gathering, construction, and adventure. Those ideas overlap with Pokopia’s emphasis on collecting materials, crafting structures, and reshaping the environment for Pokémon.

Critics also compared Pokopia with Minecraft and Animal Crossing because of its gameplay and aesthetics. Those comparisons describe the finished game’s feel, but Dragon Quest Builders 2 is the specifically named prior work connected to Omega Force’s recruitment.