The "Evolution" of Pokémon Go Special Research

Ever since it was introduced, Special Research in Pokémon Go has become the venue for obtaining certain Pokémon like Mythical Pokémon - which are themselves special indeed - as well as to provide nifty add-ons for special events like Community Day and Pokémon Go Fest with continued additions of different sets. What seems even more remarkable than what it has rewarded is the ways that it has "evolved" in its development to furnish those rewards. For that, it becomes apt to discuss the various ways so far that it has done so.

Though it appears to be different from Special Research, Timed Research is still a form of Special Research, as I've noted in my introduction of them and by the fact that they are marked as such when completed. The only difference is that they are clearly marked for their availability time in Today View, urging for their completion as soon as possible. Collection Challenges are then further offshoots of this kind of Special Research, specifically demanding the capture of specific Pokémon in specific ways if necessary. In either case, the time factor becomes the greatest determinant of progress, but once progress is made, the rewards can be very rewarding indeed.

A couple of months ago, the Special Research for Pokémon Go Fest (and a prior "test" event) implemented "branching" that demanded Trainers to pick from options at certain points, much like the options one has to pick in the main series games. Given that this year is a major anniversary of those main series games, this development would be indeed a throwback or recall to this selection method. It obviously has the same perks and detriments as those that occur in the main series games, but then they are also to be resolved in much the same ways (for Pokémon particularly, by trading for them). This development primarily carries senses of novelty and nostalgia.

More recently this month, Special Research has implemented an "episodic" manner of progression. The progression is like a normal Special Research, but some pages contain a single task that only becomes completed when a certain point in time passes, preventing all of the Special Research to be accessed right away. The result is that everyone gets the same experience when the time presents itself, including the story presented by the Special Research. The circumstances surrounding the current implementation are to be explained soon, but what is clear is that the aim of this development is to get everyone to follow along and enjoy the ride.

By now, Special Research is quite established, but it is clear that it can and does benefit from additions that change up its urgency, particularity, and pace, as with the above developments. It seems very much fair to say that they constitute "evolutions" in some way, and just like when Pokémon evolve and gain aspects, the forms of Special Research gained aspects and "evolved" to become something a bit greater. That would be expected with greater number of Special Research sets and the greater Pokémon rewards to be gained from them.

One year ago: Road to 25th Anniversary: Expectations

Two years ago: A Raid Split?

Three years ago: The First Japanese Anime Opening Theme

Four years ago: Enhancements in Shuffle