Several new details have been revealed about the upcoming X & Y games. Straight from the Nintendo Developer Roundtable, it was confirmed that the Kalos region is based on France. Pokémon X version and Y version introduce horde encounters and sky battles. In horde encounters, multiple Pokémon must be faced in battle all at once. Moves that target multiple targets are ideal for use in horde encounters.




In sky battles, only Pokémon that fly may be used. Trainers in distant places, such as those standing on cliffs, may challenge the player to a sky battle.




It was announced that Pokémon X version & Y version will be playable in seven different languages within the same game; English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. The desired language is selected at the beginning of the game, but cannot be changed afterwards.




Several characters appearing in the games, have been introduced. Pictured below, Shauna, Tierno, Trevor will form a group with the player.




Serena or Calem will also join, depending on whether the player is a boy or girl.




The gym leader of Santalune City, Viola, has also been introduced.




Vaniville Town is where the journey begins. The player's family has Rhyhorn, which is pictured below, resting in the front yard.




Santalune City is the first city after Vaniville town, and has a fountain in the center. People can be seen skating around the city, and eventually the player will acquire a pair of roller skates of their own. Alexa, the older sister of the Santalune gym leader, will greet you for the first time in Santalune city.




The Santalune city gym features webbed paths.




Seven more Pokémon have been revealed, and more detailed descriptions of Noivern and Vivillon have been provided:

Litleo

"The hot-blooded Litleo is always ready for a good fight! Its mane blazes with heat during battle, burning hotter and hotter the stronger its opponent. In the wild, Litleo will venture out on its own to make its way in the world. Litleo can learn the new Noble Roar move, an intimidating move that will lower the target's Attack and Sp. Atk stats."
Type: Fire/Normal
Height: 2' 00"
Weight: 29.8 lbs.

Flabébé

"Another newly discovered Fairy-type Pokémon, Flabébé clings to a flower early on, and then cares for it for its entire life. Because of this, Flabébé may be found holding flowers of different colors. Flabébé can draw forth the power that lies within flowers and use it freely in moves. Fairy Wind is a new Fairy-type attack that Flabébé can learn. It's super effective against Dragon-type Pokémon!"
Type: Fairy
Height: 0' 04"
Weight: 0.2 lbs.

Noivern

"Noivern is extremely combative toward anything that wanders too close to it. It flies through even the darkest nights using ultrasonic waves it emits from its ears. This Pokémon loves fruit, and feeding it fruit will keep it calm. The waves Noivern emits from its ears are strong enough to reduce large boulders to rubble. Hit all other Pokémon in battle, including allies, with Noivern's Boomburst move, a new and powerful attack!"
Type: Flying/Dragon
Height: 4' 11"
Weight: 187.4 lbs.

Talonflame

"An evolved form of the recently announced Fletchling, Talonflame is a Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon that gains a whole new level of speed and firepower. It dives at foes, and then attacks with devastating kicks. When the battle heats up, flames will pour from its body as it zooms through the sky. Talonflame can learn Brave Bird, one of the strongest Flying-type moves. It also damages the user."
Type: Fire/Flying
Height: 3' 11"
Weight: 54.0 lbs.

Clauncher

"Clauncher is easily recognizable by the oversized claw on one of its arms. This useful claw can seize prey and shoot water at others as a projectile! Clauncher's enormous claw can also crack boulders when the Pokémon is at close range. Use the claw to crush opponents with the Water-type move Crabhammer! This powerful move is also more likely to land critical hits."
Type: Water
Height: 1' 08"
Weight: 18.3 lbs.

Skrelp

"Disguised by its shape, Skrelp pretends to be a piece of seaweed. When prey gets too close, Skrelp bathes it in poison to keep it from struggling. Skrelp can learn Sludge Bomb, which may leave the opposing Pokémon poisoned."
Type: Poison/Water
Height: 1' 08"
Weight: 16.1 lbs.

Scatterbug

"The Bug-type Scatterbug resides mostly in forests and wild plains. After Scatterbug has reached a high enough level, it will evolve into Spewpa. This Bug type uses the fur around its neck to control its body temperature. Scatterbug can survive in any area, regardless of climate. Scatterbug can learn the strategic String Shot move, which lowers the Speed of its target."
Type: Bug
Height: 1' 00"
Weight: 5.5 lbs.

Spewpa

"Spewpa is the middle Pokémon of this evolutionary chain. With enough experience gained from battle, Spewpa will eventually evolve into Vivillon. Spewpa gains a stiff carapace once it evolves from Scatterbug, so less forceful attacks will hardly make a scratch. Spewpa can learn the move Protect, which will protect the Pokémon from attacks for one turn."
Type: Bug
Height: 1' 00"
Weight: 18.5 lbs.

Vivillon

"In its final Evolution, in addition to becoming stronger, Vivillon also changes its type. After evolving from Spewpa, Vivillon gains beautiful wings. Vivillon can use its wings to blow up a strong wind to attack. Attack with Vivillon's Struggle Bug move, which will lower its targets' Special Attack. It's useful for long battles!"
Type: Bug/Flying
Height: 3' 11"
Weight: 37.5 lbs.


In other news, the hardware market share for the Nintendo 3DS console has been greatly increasing. According to the Investor Relations for Nintendo of Japan, the hardware market share for the 3DS console in May 2013 was 55%. That's 55% of Japan's total gaming hardware, including the PSP, PSVita, PS3, Xbox360, Wii, WiiU, and DS. See the chart below: