Pokémon Go 6th Anniversary

Like for all years prior (see below), this day is somewhat of a special day, as it marks the anniversary of Pokémon Go as its first release. It also marks its sixth anniversary, which is the first number after five. That number for a child would mark the start of the child shaping up for the future, and in a way, Pokémon Go is (and continues to be) shaping up for its future as well after going past this age point.

A part of that regards Mega Evolution as a grand aspect of Pokémon that isn't well-preserved in the main series games but is instead "preserved" here. Over the past year, it has received a new facet of Mega Legendary Raids that allow select Legendary Pokémon with Mega Evolved forms to be challenged, as well as the long-awaited Mega Evolution rework to resolve its remaining challenges. These changes ought to be indications of its "preservation" and the way of shaping up for the future.

Further shaping up has come in the form of the entry of Pokémon from the seventh generation, a further development of the collaboration with the TCG arm of Pokémon that started out with the entry of its Professor into the card game (more on this in a dedicated post soon), and the run-up to the grand stage of its World Championships that is currently in progress and had to have been delayed due to certain goings-on in the world. In many ways, Pokémon Go has appeared to have established itself as a real arm of Pokémon, being here to stay for as long as possible with these additions.

It is always expected that the anniversary would be celebrated in an event, and that anniversary event starts today, in fact. Since the number 6 is the National Dex number for Charizard, the event had to be decided to incorporate this into the festivities, and in a very special manner. There are also other expected special event goings-on, but there are too many to detail here; it's best to detail them in a rollup coming later this month, even if that's way past its special anniversary period. 

With a history that now goes back to six years, Pokémon Go now has an extended presence, even if it's still rather fledgling in comparison to Pokémon itself. But that "fledgling" nature may mean that it should be ready for further developments that advance it toward maturity, and that means shaping it up as well. Much remains to be done, even when much has been done, and more of that will have to be shaped in the years to come.

Happy 6^th anniversary to Pokémon Go.

One year ago:  Pokémon Go 5^th Anniversary

Two years ago: Pokémon Go 4^th Anniversary

Three years ago: Pokémon Go 3^rd Anniversary

Four years ago: Pokémon Go 2^nd Anniversary

Five years ago: Pokémon Go One-Year Anniversary