The Persistence of Theia Sky Ruins in Pokémon Unite

I've discussed about matters related to Pokémon Go in the past few days, so it's high time I move on to something else that isn't related to it. And why not Pokémon Unite, for there is something currently of value regarding it. For that, it's been about a year since the battle arena or map called Theia Sky Ruins came into force as the map for Ranked Match purposes and a couple of other play modes, and there is no sign of that changing at the moment, at least not until next year's World Championships. It may be described as a kind of "persistence", and it's definitely something that may be discussed.

As I've outlined earlier, the map is somewhat more complex than its predecessor, Remoat Stadium (which also continues to persist, now as an alternate choice for a Standard Match in case current players want to experience it), but it's also established to be apparently fairer in some ways. The reasons of complexity and fairness may explain the map's persistence; it's just complex enough for elite play as in tournaments of the above caliber, yet it's also forgiving enough for either side to clamp down on the other team and/or to mount an epic comeback, either of which has happened in at least one match and tournament; it was even updated for that reason shortly after it was put in. The persistence is then rightful and believable.

Whatever the possible reason for its persistence, it is admittedly something that is (was) needed. The shift to Theia Sky Ruins from Remoat Stadium took place after approximately a year of the game's existence, which given its recent two-year anniversary, means that it occurred halfway through its present life and somewhat early in its existence. Yet the shortcomings of the latter map had already become evident, and at that point, it really needed to be fixed - and so the shift happened. It seems like such a shift might be concerning to be made at such an early point in the life of the game, but it was essentially necessary for the game to rise to greater heights... and in fact it has.

Still, with the above, it does make one wonder: just how long will this persistence last (that is, persist)? If a new map were to be made in a year's time for Ranked matches, it would most likely have to carry on many of the particularities that make Theia Sky Ruins so attractive and competitive, including complexity and fairness as above. And that may not be a necessary effort, given that Theia Sky Ruins accomplishes its purpose and is continuing to do so at this point for longer than its predecessor. Efforts may be better spent on introducing new Pokémon for play on the map or other novelty maps to keep interest varied while keeping the core competitive game rolling on something tried and true.

Persistence, then, perhaps may depend on whether something has achieved its goals and will continue to do so in the future. This was clearly not the case for the map that preceded Theia Sky Ruins and prompted the replacement with it as such. Now, approximately a year after its introduction, this map appears to have achieved as intended - to provide a playing field that is advanced and equitable - and will take that achievement for as long as it possibly can. That would indeed be a kind of persistence, and Theia Sky Ruins seems apt to exhibit that quality and continue to prove one's mettle in Pokémon Unite.

One year ago: Like a Headless Torchic... or Pokémon

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Multiple Pokédexes, Realized

Three years ago: Pokémon Documentaries?

Four years ago: The New Flavors of Pokémon

Five years ago: Other Uses of Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Incubators in Pokémon Go