The release of The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has introduced a fascinating correlation between real-life time zones and the fictional time zones within the game’s regions. In this DLC expansion, players are granted access to the Terarium, an undersea facility situated outside the Paldea region, subsequent to completing the main storyline and acquiring The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC containing two expansions.
Over a year after the game’s initial launch, The Pokémon Company unveiled The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk. This DLC brings players to the Terarium, an undersea haven established by the Blueberry Academy. The facility serves as an educational environment for trainers worldwide, housing diverse wild Pokémon across four distinct biomes. While designed for learning, the Terarium doubles as a challenging ground for seasoned trainers, featuring the competitive Blueberry League and its formidable Elite Four. Players can explore this expansive facility, train their Pokémon, unravel hidden secrets, and prepare for battles against the Elite Four. Additionally, the introduction of the Synchro Machine allows players to experience the world from their favorite Pokémon’s perspective.
A fascinating observation by Serebii webmaster Joe Merrick sheds light on the game’s intricate mechanics. Merrick’s discovery unveils that The Indigo Disk DLC aligns in-game time zones with real-life time zones, showcasing an 18-minute time difference between Paldea and Terarium. This seemingly corresponds to a six-hour disparity in real-time, reminiscent of the time zone difference between New York and Spain. Interestingly, this time difference appears inverted, as Paldea trails six hours behind Terarium. Notably, the Paldea region finds its inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing Spain, Portugal, and Andorra, while Kitakami is modeled after Japan’s Tohoku region.
However, Merrick highlights a discrepancy regarding The Teal Mask DLC’s Kitakami, stating that the game fails to reflect the time zone differences between Paldea and Kitakami. While both regions exhibit an 18-minute time zone difference in-game, the actual time difference between Spain and Japan stands at eight hours instead of six.
This intriguing revelation not only serves as an exciting detail for Pokémon enthusiasts endeavoring to craft a comprehensive map of the Pokémon world but also poses a challenge due to the conflicting time zone differences between Paldea and Kitakami. The ambiguity surrounding Kitakami’s precise location further complicates the mapping process, intensifying the quest for a clearer understanding of its geographical placement within the Pokémon universe.