Original Pokémon Gen 3 proposal, by Junichi Masuda.
December 22, 2000
translated by /vp/

About Pokémon AGB (Tentative Title)
This is a new Pokémon game that follows Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. It will be considered the third installment of Pokémon. Two versions of this game will be created to encourage trading and communication between players.

Target Audience
The primary target audience is 4th-grade boys and girls. Therefore, complex language and phrases will not be used. The goal is to create a pure and simple game.

Core Concept
Pokémon is a communication tool, and this concept will always be considered. The key focus is on how to connect people to each other.

Main Features

Individuality
Multiplayer Battles
Multi-person Communication
Easy-to-understand, GUI-like user interface and operation
Theme
The theme is the coexistence of nature and humans. In beautiful places, many Pokémon exist. It's not the Pokémon that are bad; it's the people who raised them.
(Note: This is not intended to focus on environmental issues.)

World Setting
The setting is based on Kyushu (though it will be less directly modeled after real locations than in Gold and Silver). The size will be slightly larger than the world of Gold and Silver (Johto and Kanto). The time period is set seven years before the era of Red and Green. The world features rich nature with seas, mountains, forests, and trees. Towns will have a rural feel. Team Rocket will not appear; instead, a new organization will form.

Maps and Systems
The system and map structure that consists of towns, routes, and the sea will remain unchanged. However, since the AGB has a wider screen, centering the screen on the player's character may not work well. This will be experimented on.
We also want to allow the player to move behind buildings using the background structure. We hope to display weather effects like rain and snow. Buses and other vehicles will also appear.

Pokémon
We plan to create 100-120 new Pokémon. Previous Pokémon will also be included in the ROM, and their back views will, of course, also be necessary. There are currently no plans to introduce new types.

Different Individual Pokémon!
Pokémon will have unique characteristics. Even among the same species, there will be systems that make players want to catch or add specific Pokémon to their team.

Pokémon will have multiple cries and animations.
Spotted Pokémon will be created.
Factors like friendship, intelligence, personality, hobbies, interests, and blood type will influence the Pokémon.
Pokédex Evolution!
The Pokédex will have a system that makes it easier to investigate. In addition to height and weight, it will show silhouettes from the side and top views, including the Pokémon’s length. This will be a completely different Pokédex, packed with information about each species. The goal of catching all Pokémon to complete the Pokédex will be removed. We aim for about 150 Pokémon to be collected in the Pokédex.

Improved Box System!
The box system will be more GUI-like for ease of organization. The visual arrangement will be satisfying, encouraging players to keep their collections neat.

Choose Your Protagonist!
As in Pokémon Crystal, players can choose between a boy or a girl. The "kun" and "chan" suffixes will also be available.

Expanded Communication and Trading!
The goal is to promote multi-person communication. It may also be possible to trade non-Pokémon items.

Multi-Pokémon Battles!
The standard battle format is one-on-one. However, there will be situations where an opposing trainer sends out multiple Pokémon. Wild Pokémon may also appear in groups when fishing, etc.

Distance in Battles! (Experimental Feature)
In battles, there will be a sense of distance between the player’s and opponent's Pokémon and trainers. This was previously shown through the enlarged back view of Pokémon in Red and Green. We aim to refine this concept by introducing motion blur effects to simulate distance.

New Encounter Locations!
In addition to the existing encounter locations—grass, tall grass, trees, water surface, fishing, and rocks—underwater areas will be added. We will create Pokémon that can allow humans to dive underwater.

New Evolution Methods!
There will be new ways to evolve Pokémon, including temporary fusions during battle using certain items that allow a Pokémon to merge or evolve for a limited number of turns. Additionally, gathering a certain number of specific Pokémon may cause them to evolve as a group, or some Pokémon may evolve only in specific locations.

Distinctive Pokémon Cries!
The cries of Pokémon will take inspiration from Pokémon Stadium, using PSG (Programmable Sound Generator) and sampled elements.

Trainers Move!
There will be different types of trainer movement:

Some trainers will wander up and down (left and right).
Some will encounter the player randomly, suitable for trainers like the "School Kid."
Some will mimic the player's movement and respond by following or reacting to the player’s actions.
Some trainers will hide in tall grass or the sea, and the player can only see their heads. These trainers will also trigger encounters when close by. New trainer types will be created, suitable for "Bug Catchers," "Youngsters," and "Swimmers."
Bicycle Action!
There will be multiple types of bicycles, including ones with high action capabilities.

There are many new and fun features packed into Pokémon AGB! Stay tuned for the final decision!

(Game Freak Inc. Junichi Masuda, December 22, 2000)