Pokémon Pokopia director explains Ditto's role as protagonist

Shigeru Ohmori, the director of Pokémon Pokopia, has detailed why the character Ditto was selected as the game's protagonist. The decision was driven by the character's ability to transform, which serves as the foundation for the game's world-building and exploration mechanics.

Ohmori explained that the gameplay loop involves players encountering various Pokémon and learning their specific moves, such as Cut or Rock Smash. By transforming into these Pokémon, the Ditto protagonist can interact with and reshape the environment, which in turn attracts new Pokémon to the area. This creates a cycle where environmental changes lead to new abilities and further exploration.

Design-wise, Ohmori noted that Ditto's proportions allowed for a "stylized, big-headed look without feeling out of place," ensuring the character maintained a similar scale to the other Pokémon in the game while functioning as a central figure for the life-simulation experience. Pokémon Pokopia is available on Nintendo Switch 2.