Locks on Shiny Forms

There's a term that goes around in some Pokémon games that concerns the Shiny forms of some Pokémon. All Pokémon have Shiny forms, certainly, as that is the expected way things go since the second generation when they were introduced. However, apart from them being rare in most cases, in more recent times, some of them may (be forced to) not be available at all, even with the given above. The term that describes this condition is "Shiny lock"; it refers to how some of these forms are restricted in availability despite their certain existence.

As demonstrated by certain interactions, particularly ones I've witnessed, Shiny forms are lucrative, even if they are not radically different, appear to be rather strange, or just for a neat species in general. Thus, it may be that some of these Shiny forms are desired to not be gotten so early. Shiny locking would certainly accomplish that, holding back ones of certain species before they should be available. Another reason for doing this may be to keep them from being a burden to players, the game, or both; certainly, if it can't be accommodated by the game at the moment, then players wouldn't think about it, keeping some things from becoming liabilities. The reasons seem to be noble and practical enough.

In the main series games, this has happened with a few of the most recent games. The Shiny forms of certain Pokémon have been restricted in appearance until a certain point or a certain distribution. The main series games certainly have everything available in terms of possibility, but it's only been in the most recent times that some of these possibilities have been restricted. It seems to make sense, since back when Shiny forms really came into being most Pokémon fans weren't too crafty; nowadays, some are, and that could pose different problems. Thus, Shiny locking can serve to differentiate them from others as well, and to see who has the dedication.

Meanwhile, in Pokémon Go, not every Pokémon has their Shiny form available, but many by now already do. The term "Shiny locking" wouldn't really apply here, except in one case: it has been determined that all first-generation Pokémon may become Shiny, but this hasn't been made evident in practice, making it a form of a "Shiny lock" in a way. The rest of the Pokémon seems to be given a selective treatment. In this way, this seems to be accommodating of the second reason above more so than anything else. Those who expect different Shiny forms will just have to be patient for their unlocking (in the case of first-generation Pokémon), provided availability (for all others), and efforts to obtain them (for any and all).

In the eyes of those who like to obtain all kinds of Pokémon, each one is valuable. Compound this with Shiny forms, and this results in a great interest for everything. Shiny locking seems to be the thing that keeps that in check and makes things not too wild. It's still a wild, wild Pokémon world out there with all the species present and especially the possibility of each being Shiny. Each one, including the Shiny forms, is still neat, even if the latter has its restrictions, including locks placed on them for a given time.

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