Who conceived Pokémon Pokopia as a possible new Pokémon approach?

Shigeru Ohmori conceived Pokémon Pokopia as a possible new approach for Pokémon.

Ohmori began thinking about the idea during development of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. He reflected on his early work as a map designer on Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and considered how appealing it could be for players to create and cultivate their own Pokémon habitats.

That idea developed into Pokopia’s focus on environmental restoration, building, and relationships with Pokémon. Ohmori served as the game’s concept and senior director, while Omega Force director Takuto Edagawa served as chief director. The project therefore grew from a franchise design idea into a collaboration with a studio experienced in sandbox games.

Shigeru Ohmori is sometimes confused with other major Pokémon creators, including Satoshi Tajiri, the franchise’s original creator, or Junichi Masuda, a prominent composer and producer. Ohmori’s specific connection here is conceiving Pokopia and guiding its overall direction.