Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire initially had different names, according to a recent report

In a fascinating revelation for Pokemon enthusiasts, it has come to light that the iconic Ruby and Sapphire versions may have originally been intended to bear different names. According to a recent tweet by user @CentroLeaks, Game Freak, the developer behind the beloved franchise, considered naming Ruby and Sapphire Indigo and Crimson, respectively.

The intriguing discovery was made possible through a detailed examination of leaked source code from the games.

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Recent report reveals original intended names for Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire

Twitter users @KmiE_821 and @Wobbuu delved into the Ruby and Sapphire files and found references to Japanese terms "藍バージョン" and "朱バージョン," which translate to "Indigo Version" and "Crimson Version," respectively. This suggests these might have been the earlier names considered for what eventually became Sapphire and Ruby.

It remains unclear as to whether these names were merely placeholders or genuine contenders. Nevertheless, for a brief period, Game Freak apparently referred to the two versions as Indigo and Crimson.

As per the leaks, it appears the final decision to name the games Ruby and Sapphire was made relatively late in the development process with the official titles being revealed at the Pokemon Festa 2002 event, back in July of the same year. Interestingly, the final build of the games dates back to October 13, 2002, just a few months after the names were unveiled.

The title screen of the English variants of Ruby & Sapphire (Image via The Pokemon Company)

The usage of Indigo and Crimson, as translated from the Japanese characters "藍" and "朱", highlights the colorful and vibrant themes that the Pocket Monster series is known for.

These titles, meanwhile, beg the question of how differently the games could have been perceived. Although these translations are unofficial, the findings do shed some light on the creative processes and the various development phases of the games being produced at Game Freak.

That intriguing discoveries concerning Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are still emerging two decades after its release is evident of the Pokemon franchise's longevity and impact.

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This piece of Pokemon history is a reminder of the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of video game development. Regardless of the names being Ruby and Sapphire or Indigo and Crimson, the third generation undoubtedly represents an incredibly meaningful chapter in the storied legacy left behind by the franchise.