The Japanese Pokémon Centers have begun selling a Silicon Band (シリコンバンド) as part of the Pokémon with YOU Pokémon Christmas Party 2014 (ポケモンクリスマスパーティ2014) campaign. People that purchase a band for 400yen will receive a card with a serial number to redeem a Jirachi. Jirachi will be redeemable from December 1st, 2014 until May 28th, 2015 for players of the Japanese versions of Pokémon X and Y and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. The bands come in two colors: Green and Orange and in two sizes: Small and Medium.


Scan Source: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/asami-1120/20141101

Over the past two days, Nintendo has released their earnings reports: Corporate Management Policy Briefing / Second Quarter Financial Results Briefing for the 75th Fiscal Term Ending March 2015 - Outline & Company President's Presentation and Earnings Release: Six Months Ended September 30, 2014. In the reports, there are some interesting figures for the current generation of Pokémon games on the Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo announced that global sales of Pokémon X and Y have reached 13.3 million. For comparison, the last games of Generation 5 Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 sold a total of only 7.81 million. Unfortunately, pre-order sales for ORAS are down in Japan compared with XY but are on par in North America and ahead in Europe.

Nintendo stated: "While ORAS, being remakes, were never expected to get the kind of sales XY did, the attitude towards our current promotional phase seemingly betrays our expectations in a very positive way. The company thought of an interesting explanation for why it is this way, called the "Ruby/Sapphire Generation Hypothesis (スマブラ・ルビサファ同世代仮説)" factor".

The reason behind the lower pre-order sales can be attributed to one of Japan's key demographics, the 18 to 25 year old's which represents about 30% of the Nintendo 3DS market whereas it only represents 5% of the market in the United States and Europe. Many in this demographic were in elementary school when the games Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (ポケットモンスター ルビー&サファイア) were released. If this key demographic plays a significant role in the sales in Japan due to the nostalgic Ruby/Sapphire Generation Hypothesis will not be known until sales figures are recorded but regardless, ORAS is still on pace to sell millions of copies worldwide.


In its report, Nintendo stated: "We expect to expand sales in the year-end sales season with “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” to be released globally in November, and a number of key titles from third-party publishers."

Sources: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2014/141029e.pdf, http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/141030summary/index.html and http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2014/10/30/82066.html

Retailers in the United States have posted a new Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Dual Pack on their websites for preorder. The pack contains both games as well as codes to unlock 200 Potions. The pack will retail for $79.98USD + tax.

TSUTAYA stores across Japan will begin a campaign where all patrons who purchase a "Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby" or "Pocket Monsters Alpha Sapphire" download card will also be given a prepaid eshop card with a value of 500yen. That is the same amount as a Pokémon Bank annual subscription and is designed to make it easy for people to pay for the service. The card features the artwork of 30 Pokémon. The campaign runs from October 29th, 2014 until November 30th, 2014 or until stock runs out.


Source: http://www.4gamer.net/games/256/G025650/20141023019/

The Pokémon Company Support has posted a thread on their FAQ page in regards to a number of issues with the Pokémon October 2014 Newsletter distribution. Many people have yet to receive their codes via email and some that have received the email have received blank codes. Players in the United States and Canada have already had to wait a week for the demo compared to many countries in the world and they are now having to wait even longer. Nintendo has had a number issues this year releasing digital content via the Nintendo Network including the delayed release of Pokémon Bank.

Pokémon Support - Updated Posting - 10/21/14 6:04 PM PST

We believe that the issue with code images not appearing in the October Pokémon newsletter have been resolved. Users should now be able to view their code simply by reopening the original newsletter email. If this doesn't work immediately, users can click the "Having trouble viewing this email? View this email online." at the top right of the newsletter image.

Any users still not able to view their codes are encouraged to reopen a service ticket.

For users who signed up for the newsletter prior to 10/20 and still have not received it, we ask that you be patient.

Because of the large volume of newsletters sent, there could be some delays as they make their way through the various internet providers and networks, leading to some users receiving their newsletters before other users.

We believe that all newsletters should deliver within the next few days. We recommend that you check your junk email folders and again make sure that [email protected] has been added to your safe senders list.

I haven't received my Alpha Ruby/Omega Sapphire demo code - Original Message

It has come to our attention that some users have not yet received their copy of the newsletter, and that some who have are reporting that the code for the Alpha Ruby/Omega Sapphire Demo is not appearing properly in the message.

Because of the large volume of newsletters sent, there could be some delays as they make their way through the various internet providers and networks, leading to some users receiving their newsletters before other users.

We’re working closely with our service partner to resolve the issue of non-displaying codes and hope to see the issue resolved shortly. This should not require us to re-send the message as once the error is corrected users will then see the code appear in their original newsletter email.

We will update this article as we receive information, and we encourage you to click the subscribe link so that you are notified as we update this issue.

For users who didn't subscribe to the Pokemon.com newsletter in time, check out some of the other ways you can receive a demo code at Nintendo.com

Thank you, Pokémon Support

Source: http://support.pokemon.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=15227&task=knowledge&questionID=1574

The official Nintendo website announced further details on how to obtain a demo code for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire in the United States. The details below are from their press release. Our ORAS demo page has been updated with the latest dates and locations to get codes.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo Version

The Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire games will arrive on Nov. 21, but you can get a taste of them early with the Special Demo Version.

This free demo lets you experience exclusive scenarios in the Hoenn region. You’ll encounter Pokémon that will Mega-Evolve for the first time—and you’ll even be able to bring a new Mega-Evolved Pokémon into the full version of Pokémon Omega Ruby or Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Items that you obtain while playing can also be transferred to the full versions once purchased.

How to get a demo code:

• Codes will be distributed at select cinema locations nationwide from Nov. 7–Nov. 13 (while supplies last).
• Check with your local retailer during the holidays to find out about special demo code giveaways (while supplies last).
• Get a code with your purchase of the new Pokémon Art Academy game (out Oct. 24) when you buy from Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo 3DS or 2DS system.
• You’ll also get a code with your purchase of one of two classic Pokémon games coming to the Virtual Console service on Nintendo eShop: the Pokémon Puzzle Challenge game (out Nov. 6) or the Pokémon Trading Card Game (out Nov. 13). You'll find your free demo code on your eShop receipt (download codes available while supplies last).
• Codes will be emailed the week of Oct. 31 to select Nintendo customers with Nintendo Network IDs who have signed up to receive promotional emails from Nintendo.
• Codes will also be distributed during the holiday mall tour from Nov. 24‒Dec. 21 at 16 different locations throughout the nation. Talk to a staff member to try out Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire or any of the featured Nintendo 3DS games to receive two codes—one for you, and one for a friend (while supplies last). Check back soon for a list of tour locations.

Source: http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/q-_odTxvSXW6AVesSiQazTQhq2lKENNc

To celebrate the launch of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, beginning on November 1st, 2014, a new campaign called Pokémon Scrap (ポケモンスクラップ) will begin. Pokémon Scrap is a vouchers system and cards are included with certain physical real world Pokémon products which can be redeemed for virtual item unlocks that can be used in ORAS. Players can begin to collect the required scrap card serials starting on November 1st, 2014 but they can only be entered for redeemable ORAS codes from December 1st, 2014 until April 30th, 2015. Players can begin to collect over 50 different Scrap Cards. Players need to register on the official campaign site and enter their email address in order to participate.

How to Use Pokémon Scrap Cards

On the back of each scrap card is a unique serial code that can be entered on the official Pokémon Scrap campaign site. One you register the serial number, the next tier level is unlocked. Not every tier level contains an unlockable gift though. However, you won't get just one mythical Pokémon. As you collect the scraps, you'll receive up to three mythical Pokémon and five items to help you on your adventure! At each gift tier, a unique Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire serial code will be given which player can use to unlock the gift in the game.


To avoid confusion, 0 (zero), 1 (one), B (Letter), I (Letter), O (Letter) and V (Letter) are not used in any Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire serial codes. If a code is incorrectly entered ten times, players will be locked out temporarily for 24 hours before they can try again.

Unlockable Gifts

Each gift needs a certain number of scrap card codes entered to unlock. Shaymin requires 1, Nugget requires 3, Super Potion requires 5, Keldeo requires 7, Luxuy Ball requires 10, Rare Candy requires 13, Victini requires 16 and the Master Ball requires 20 codes.

Eligible Items

The following product will contain Pokémon Scrap cards with serial numbers. Each product contains only 1 serial code.

• Gaia Volcano and Tidal Storm XY TCG Booster Packs - Available starting on December 13th, 2014
• PokéPan ORAS Strawberry - Specially marked packages starting November 1st, 2014
• Pokémon Vegetable Snacks
• Pokémon Tretta Strengthening Power Set 10 Pack- Available starting on December 26th, 2015
• 3D Pencil Case - Available in early December
• Pokémon Seasoning Mini Pack and Pokémon Curry Pork and Sweet Corn
• McDonald's Happy Sets January 2015
• Namco Arcade Shops - December 5th, 2014 until January 20th, 2015

McDonald's January 2015 Happy Set - Pokémon Scrap Special Gifts

As an added bonus, on January 10th, 11th and 12th, 2015, a Pokémon Scrap serial code card was distributed with each Happy Set purchased.


Source: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokescrap2014/

In an interview with nTower, Junichi Masuda revealed there would be no patch for Pokémon X and Y that would add compatibility for new Mega Evolutions that will be introduced in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. It should be noted that there is no technical reason for not adding compatibility into X and Y via a patch as all the infrastructure to patch the games is available as its the same game engine and generation and there has already been two patches for X and Y which shows it can be done. Nintendo and GAME FREAK have always required people purchase the latest Pokémon games to play in the current tournaments and this is probably the only reason there will not be a patch.

nTower Interview with Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori Translation

nTower: Will Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire be compatible with the games Pokémon X and Y? Can the new Mega Evolutions be used in the Kalos Region (for example with an update)?

Masuda: We do not plan to release a patch for Pokémon X and Y to update the games that effect. There is a separation of what you can experience in Pokémon X and Y and in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Therefore, we want to separate the games to that effect.

Pokémon Global Link Changes for X and Y

On October 15th, 2014, the Japanese Pokémon Global Link website added a page to discuss some of the upcoming changes that will affect X and Y with the release of ORAS.

Source: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/ac78b42b-6759-441d-8da1-5f3116defe06 and http://www.ntower.de/index.php?page=Report&reportID=271

A maintenance period for the Pokémon Global Link will take place mid November 2014. This is separate to the Code Redemption downtime previously announced for Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. This maintenance period will be for getting ready for the launch of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Due to this maintenance, the end date of Rating Battle Season 6 which was previously November 20th, 2014 has now been changed to November 13th, 2014 at 3:59 a.m. (EST). The date will be modified during the regularly scheduled maintenance period on October 20th, 2014. The ORAS extended maintenance period is for the following days:

For the United States: November 13th, 2014 at 4:00 a.m. (ET) until November 21st, 2014
For the United Kingdom: November 13th, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. until November 21st, 2014.

Source: http://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/a72e009b-84e6-459a-9d44-3ae5e2412963

The publisher OverLap has revealed the Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Official Guide Book: Complete Story Walkthrough / Complete Zukan Guide Book (ポケットモンスター オメガルビー・アルファサファイア 公式ガイドブック 完全ストーリー攻略ガイド・完全ぜんこく図鑑完成ガイド). Both books will be released in Japan after the release of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and will help players with tons of information on the games. Each book contains a special code to unlock things in the game.

Complete Story Walkthrough	Complete Zukan Guide Book
Release Date: November 22nd, 2014 832 A5 Pages ISBN-10: 4865540059 ISBN-13: 978-4865540055 Price: 1400yen + tax Contains 3 QR Codes for three Secret Bases created by: Junichi Masuda, Shigeru Ohmori and Shigeki Morimoto	Release Date: December 5th, 2014 1040 A5 Pages ISBN-10: 4865540067 ISBN-13: 978-4865540062 Price: 1850yen + tax Contains serial code to unlock 2 Master Balls

Sources: http://over-lap.co.jp/book/oras/ and http://blog.over-lap.co.jp/bunko/?p=6211