Could this be the start of Pokemon Stars?

Pokemon mainline series developer Game Freak is recruiting for a new console title of a “globally popular RPG.” Is this more proof of Pokemon Stars for the Nintendo Switch?

Game Freak has posted a couple of job listings (translated by Siliconera and IGN) looking for 3D CG designers to work on a new game. Whether the ads are for the same game or not is unclear.

The first job listing starts out with, “Here’s a chance to work on the development of a globally popular RPG!” The ad says the work will entail designing cartoon-like characters, monsters, and items for a console title, and experience with modeling software Maya is required.

While the ad never mentions Pokemon, it goes on to say, “It’s a title that just about anyone knows, a proposal that could be your future career.” How does that and “globally popular RPG” not add up to Pokemon?

The second Game Freak job listing doesn’t refer to an RPG, but it’s a similar job description to the 3D CG designer. However, this ad specifies applicants should have experience working on character models “at the level of Wii U and PS Vita.”

If “Wii U and PS Vita” doesn’t scream “Nintendo Switch,” I don’t know what does.

We’ve been hearing rumors of a Pokemon Sun and Moon Switch port (codenamed Pokemon Stars) for months now, but nothing official has been announced. Could this be evidence or such a port, or is this a whole new game in the Pokemon franchise?

I could see Nintendo porting Pokemon Sun and Moon to the Switch, though that would take some time since the 3DS is vastly different from the Switch. It almost sounds too soon for a new Pokemon title, but games take a long time to develop.

The job listings specify work will last until May 2018 at the latest, which would put a game release window around Holiday 2018 or early 2019. A brand new Pokemon game doesn’t seem too unreasonable for that time frame, does it?