It is widely believed that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will get some big DLC shortly. Sword and Shield’s DLC could have provided the foundation.
Despite its technical limitations, Pokemon Scarlett represents a bold new step in the Pokemon franchise. The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet offer a wide range of new Pokémon designs. They also have an expansive open world and a break with linear progression.
The mainline Pokemon series followed almost the same format for 27 years. There were two versions of the game released, followed occasionally by a “complete” version about a year later. Or two sequels. Generation 8’s Pokemon Sword and Shield brought a new dimension to the franchise. Fans now hope that Pokemon Scarlett and Violet will have their DLC expansions.
Shield and Pokémon Sword’s DLC Expansion Pass were announced for the first time on January 9, 2020. This was just a few short months after the initial launch of these games. Shield and the Isle of Armor were launched in two waves. The Crown Tundra was also released. Each DLC pack introduced a new area of the game to build on the existing land mass in the Galar Region. Each DLC has its own story, featuring its unique characters and a variety of Pokemon, as well as new legendaries.
If Pokemon Scarlet has been released, then fans will likely experience a similar experience to the ones found in The Isle of Armor as well as The Crown Tundra. Fans who are keenly aware of the graying of some areas on Pokemon Scarlet or Violet‘s screen will have noticed that certain areas, like Area Zero’s elevator, remain inaccessible long after the credits roll. Many fans believe that future DLC will unlock this area, along with other story quests and new Pokemon. Fans expect to see the third and most famous Pokemon in the game. It is not mentioned in any detail in an in-game manual.
With Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC announcements in January, it would not be surprising to see a DLC announcement for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet shortly. Gen 8 games were also launched in a similar window. Many fans expect to see a Pokemon ScarletDLC release on February 27, 1996, the day Pokemon was launched. This would make sense, given Pokemon being absent and the recent Nintendo Direct.
Another part of the ongoing speculation is when Pokemon Sword and Shield’s rumored DLC might launch. Shield and Pokémon Sword and Shield had their first DLC release on June 17, 2020. It was just five months since its announcement. However, the second DLC launched nine months later on October 23, 2020. This means that Pokemon Scarlet/Violet‘s hypothetical DLC could have been released in the same time frame. If it were announced at February’s end, then DLC could have been available as early as July.
Although there has not been any official confirmation of DLC, or even the possibility that it will, fans are advised to take all speculations with a grain of salt. Pokemon Black and Violet are two of the most successful releases in the franchise’s history, so it only makes sense for us to keep creating content.