Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/31/2024

In perfect form, this month's event rollup for Pokémon Go is made on the last day of the month. Also, "in perfect form" could be the appropriate descriptor for this month's events, as they all could be said to revolve around that annual seasonal celebration known as Pokémon Go Fest. I've already explained the Global edition for both of its days since it's special and extensive enough to warrant its own coverage, so the event rollup has to involve those events that aren't part of the celebration proper - and there was quite a few of that.

Rolling back a bit, firstly there was the Aquatic Paradise event from July 6 to 9. It's a rollback because it was on the heels of the anniversary of the game (and its associated event from last month), as well as being the "complement" event to the American edition of the regional Pokémon Go Fest event in New York City. As expected, a number of Water-type Pokémon were featured, including Ducklett, whose Shiny form also debuted with the event. They appeared in the wild and Field Research task rewards, as well as by Incense (and only by Incense), and were prompted to be caught through a Collection Challenge. A paid Timed Research set had more Ducklett and item rewards, and double XP for catching sealed the deal for the ducky and watery weekend wherever one was.

As a buildup to the Global edition, the Inbound from Ultra Space event brought forth the deepest aspects for the weekend from July 8 to 13. The nine raid Ultra Beasts appeared in raids on each of the days (with regional restrictions for some of them), and each day had a Raid Hour for the Ultra Beasts. By raiding, a Timed Research set allowed more encounters with each of the nine regardless of wherever one was; remote raid limits were also increased, and there was an additional Candy XL trade bonus. An event ticket furnished many additional raid bonuses and more Candy XL bonuses for the Ultra Beasts. It was also at this time that Ultra Beasts from the raids could have special backgrounds. Two Global Challenges had rewards of beefed up Party Power and Beast Balls during the Global edition of Go Fest, and item bundles also complemented everything. Along with that, there was the Early Access Eggs-travaganza event for those with tickets to the Global edition, with 7 km Eggs featuring the event Pokémon, all complemented by halved hatching distance, increased Gift opening, and increased Shiny chance. All of this drove the celebrations to the home stretch and the peak.

Right after a run of Go Fest editions, there are always Ultra Unlocks. The first of these came as the Better Together event from July 17 to 22. As can be discerned, this event was all about companions: Pokémon that "form groups" or have regional alternates - one of which is the Tandemaus family, making its debut as of this event in Party Play onwards and through Field Research task rewards and raids. The other Pokémon also appeared in the latter two channels as well as in the wild. Timed Research had bonuses of essentials and encounters (including Tandemaus), and everything was wrapped up with bonuses of quadruple catch XP, double catch Candy, friendship level boosts, and a new fashion item, making for a wonderful shared time together. 

As the second Ultra Unlock and the final event of the month, the Strength of Steel event took place from July 25 to 30. By its title, Steel-type Pokémon (and some that can evolve to them) are the main feature, including the debut of Shiny Togedemaru as a highlight. All the Pokémon appeared in the wild, raids, and Field Research and Timed Research task rewards (along with other helpful items), while a Collection Challenge necessitated some efforts for capture. To that end, there were extra Candy (and Candy XL chance) for successful captures and good throws; showcases were also part of the deal. As part of this event, there was also a Mega Lucario Raid Day on July 27, finally bringing in this long-awaited form. As is the norm with Raid Days, more free passes were given, along with increased Shiny chance, XP, Candy XL chance, and remote raids. The caught (and evolved) Lucario during this event also learned the Force Palm move, here a Fast move. For those who wanted more, a ticket could be purchased for even more free passes, XP, and Stardust, as well as chances for Rare Candy XL plus one with each caught Lucario; a new fashion item was also available to those who purchased the ticket online. For some Trainers, this was definitely a time to show off strengths with the aid of Steel types.

If July's events have anything else to say, other than being associated with Pokémon Go Fest, they would be abound with twists and turns of their own - as well as content, which the celebration has to be anyway. That also means an extremely enjoyable month around the celebration, and while waiting for the ones next year, the "fruits" (event benefits) from the ones this year can be perfectly savored in all their forms.

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 23

Two years ago: The Long and Short of Titles, Again

Three years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 11

Four years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - Virtual Team Lounge

Five years ago: Mythical Numbers?

Six years ago: To Watch a Movie

Seven years ago: Like a Fierce Double Battle

The State of Nominations, Part 29

There's been a lot of things going on both in and out of Pokémon Go, but there's always some time to figure out some nominations for PokéStops, to make them, and then to update on them. Indeed, regarding the latter, two months have passed, and it's time to make another one of the updates on my progressions in this area. This time around, it could be said that I'm trying to deal with the "wiggle room" in making the nominations and keeping track of them to see how they end up.

With that, there are the numbers as usual. As of this moment, I have 135 Accepted nominations, an increase of 8 from last time. Then, I also have 66 Not Accepted nominations, regrettably a slight increase of 2. Undecided nominations currently tally at 20 In Voting and 6 In Queue, neither having majorly increased from last time, although their progression to become decided makes them significant. Lastly, Duplicate nominations stay as they are (11), and that ought to be the case.

In regard to the "wiggle room" as mentioned above, I've also begun keeping track of how the nominations have manifested, and I found that as of my present notes, 8 of them did not manifest into PokéStops, likely due to conflicts with other Waypoints. As part of this, I've also marked nominations as being "closed" (being rejected and nothing more can be done about them) and "open" (being either undecided or could be renominated or appealed). Notably, there are 22 of the latter and 70 of the former.

Now, at this point, the identification of that "wiggle room" becomes more important than ever, because I'm certain that as others are also nominating PokéStops, we might run into each others' Waypoints, especially as fewer and fewer objects become available for nomination. It also makes it easy for me to decide which nominations can still be improved and which ones are no longer viable due to certain circumstances. Either way, this identification had to be made evident.

Even as certain Pokémon Go matters become more complex than they seem initially, the nominating of PokéStops can still be made, certainly within its "wiggle room". They may then in turn alleviate the complexity of those matters and provide added "wiggle room" for them. The case of my updating is to shed light on the above and reassure that there is still a place (or places, rather) for Pokémon Go matters to play out in, while other matters and beyond come into play.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/30/2023

Two years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 17

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/30/2021

Four years ago: Go Fest 2020 Crafts: Gift and Pikachu Visor

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/30/2019

Six years ago: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Seven years ago: Cosplay: ACOLYTES 2017

Crossover Holowear?

Pokémon Unite features plenty of Holowear with inspiration from a variety of realistic sources, which are all as commendable as they are interesting. Yet what it seems to lack is Holowear that are inspired by other in-game Pokémon settings... although some do appear as Trainer outfits instead, meaning for the person with the Pokémon rather than for the Pokémon themselves. To that end, I would like to discuss possible in-game Holowear inspirations, which for the purpose of this post I would like to call "crossover Holowear".

An obvious inspiration for this is the various Pokémon outfits that are present in Café Remix, some of which could make for battle-ready Holowear. Granted, a lot of these outfits are "chef-y" and are more suited for a battle in the kitchen rather than a battle on the field, but then some of the Holowear are already like that - particularly the holiday Holowear of certain Pokémon that have them, so the possibility might not be out of the question. Still, I'm thinking that certain outfits like the recently introduced Festival Finery outfit for Greninja and the Halloween outfits for certain evolved Eevee forms might make for interesting Holowear, especially since the Pokémon are already present in the game. The cross-promotion aspect for Café Remix could also give both games a boost for the people that already play them, like me.

Then, there could be Holowear that cross over certain unique aspects. For example, a Holowear for Gyarados (and by extension Magikarp) - which are already in the game - could take inspiration from the unique patterns found in Magikarp Jump, which I haven't discussed in a very long time. For this, the patterns would be persistent when the Magikarp evolves to Gyarados, which would bring a certain novelty. A more drastic Holowear idea could be something that transforms a part or nearly all of a Pokémon to resemble their counterparts in Pokémon Quest, making them have the blocky style the game is known for. This might not be realized because of its drastic nature, but at least it's still fun to think about.

One of the key aspects of Pokémon Unite is certainly its stunning variety of Holowear, which already have a ton of inspiration imbued in them. Still, perhaps a bit of inspiration from within Pokémon itself - as in, the other games - could augment the inspirational value further while keeping the game entrenched in the world of Pokémon and maintaining its life alongside other games in the franchise.

One year ago: Cosplay: Anime Cosupure (Cosplay) Matsuri

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/29/2022

Three years ago: P25 Music for Life?

Four years ago: The Values of Posts

Five years ago: By Words, By Sound, By Video

Six years ago: First Anniversary of My Raid Group

Seven years ago: Under 100 Hours?

Cosplay: Arto Fest

Me: All right, we've gotta keep this month from seemingly being dry of conventions and festivals, so I have to send Ash to one.

Goh: And there is one today.

Me: Well, actually, the story is more complicated than that, but we'll save that for way later on.

Ash: OK, so this is... an art festival?

Pikachu: Pi pika? ["Isn't it?"]

Me: Given by its title, yes - and sending characters could be considered an art, in and of itself.

Goh: I wouldn't disagree. Where is it? 

Ash: It's in a mall!

Goh: Oh, let me guess: the same organizing team behind Community Base, Foodtopia, and all that, in the same place.

Ash: Yeah! I met the team leader when I came.

Me: Then we were in good hands.

Goh: What kind of art did they show off?

Ash: Board games, character designs, models...

Pikachu: Pi pika chu. ["They all look good."]

Me: Neat! That would then inspire people to send characters...

Goh: ...and so that's the point of including them. I guess that was the only competition today?

Me: That was indeed. How'd things go?

Ash: Everything started at 4 in the afternoon.

Goh: That was kind of late, wasn't it?

Me: Maybe, but given the team and character competitions in general, that's par for the course. Go on.

Ash: Everyone performed a little on stage, and then we all went out to get "likes" from people with stickers.

Goh: Oh! That's unique. So the winner was by popularity.

Ash: Yeah! But... I didn't seem to get too many, even when I was with other characters.

Pikachu: Pika... ["That happened..."]

Goh: Hmm, sorry about that. If I was there, I'd give you at least one.

Me: And if this was a full-blown Japanese festival, there could be even more.

Ash: Yeah. Most of the people at the festival were common people and students.

Goh: Were the students also part of the booths?

Ash: Come to think of it, yeah! It was for their schools.

Goh: I see - so it's like an exhibition.

Me: I think Goh pretty much sums it up. So after all that, you turned in your "likes", and...

Ash: ...I found out I was close to the bottom, and I thought I wasn't going to make it.

Goh: How many prizes were there?

Ash: Just five. But I waited out for the results anyway.

Goh: So after all that, you got...

Ash: BEST 5 CHARACTERS!

Pikachu: Pika pika! ["Very nice!"]

Goh: Awesome! So you made it after all. And this was with which outfit?

Ash: My Kanto and Johto one.

Goh: Hey, that's pretty neat, actually. It suits the festival theme.

Me: It is a pretty artsy and classic outfit, so it works. Incidentally, we also dealt with student projects (or one such project) and the same outfit about a year ago.

Goh: Hey, so I guess you two made up for that!

Me: Indeed. We also made the right choice today, because...

Ash: You were about to send me to a festival on the other side of your town, but you couldn't get something to get me there.

Me: And there was one more, but it's a suspicious one and may not need our support.

Goh: So, there was more than one festival today - three, to be exact. That rarely happens in your area... but then there's the two from two weeks ago.

Ash: And I stuck it out too!

Me: That is a great thing. Sometimes the right choices make all the difference - and in this case, it makes up for things, including this month's Pokémon business.

Goh: A very good job!

Ash: Thanks!

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Agreed!"]

Me: I can't say it better myself.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/28/2023

Two years ago: Energy Exchange in Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: Road of 25th Anniversary: Creative Excitement

Four years ago: On Live Blogging (and Pokémon)

Five years ago: Team GO Rocket Blasting Off

Six years ago: Figure Photography

Seven years ago: Modern Games, Retro Flavor

Like Magnemite to Electricity

As I might have mentioned in a number of posts, I'm a night owl of sorts and enjoy doing things in the wee hours of the day, sometimes with minimal lighting - at least, just enough so that I can see comfortably. A Pokémon that might enjoy such settings is Magnemite, which might find favor with the low lighting, and perhaps more importantly, the soft electricity emitted by the light that also makes it glow.

It is known that Magnemite sustains itself on this soft electricity, becoming a meal source for it. It's a unique Pokémon in that regard, being one that survives on inorganic sources of energy rather than organic ones. And it's obvious, really, since it has no traditional body parts and what body parts there are conduct electricity, becoming an extension of its life force for making use of electricity to survive.

The story of Francois, the Magnemite companion of Ren (one of Professor Cerise's assistants) from the World saga, should illustrate this well. Incidentally, Ren may be known for "burning the midnight oil" at times, given the assistant role as above. Ren is attached to his Magnemite as the Magnemite is attached to what makes it tick - the electricity that it consumes and may discharge as part of its Pokémon role.

Meanwhile, I'm likely to continue becoming a night owl and do things even in situations with minimal lighting. In those situations, a Magnemite might be happy to join in to feed on soft electricity, and I could be pleased - even enough to have one as a companion just like Ren and Francois. It will sustain itself as I might try to sustain myself, and that ought to make us have something in common.

One year ago: Character Limits in Pokémon Games

Two years ago: New Strides with the Daily Adventure Incense

Three years ago: Further Remixes of GBL Leagues?

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/27/2020

Five years ago: A Time for Everything

Six years ago: Online Pokémon Newsletters

Seven years ago: Sprites, Models, and Evolutions

Building Worlds to Live In

It is a fact that everything that takes place in the Pokémon world takes place in a world of its own, which is not too far removed from (or is an alternate of) the real world. It's a world that many people would conceivably like to live in... or perhaps they already do, if Pokémon Go has something to say about that. Regardless, this world can't exist - even in the figments of imagination - without some amount of effort that goes into building it, and this is what I would like to discuss at this time and how that translates into the prospects of living in this world, or even other worlds, as will become clear shortly.

There is a term that is thrown around related to this discussion, and that term would be "worldbuilding". It refers to the organization of real-life concepts (language, culture, society, and so on and so forth) into a fictional universe or world to make that as realistic as possible. Though the aspects are not too emphasized - as the emphasis is on the eponymous monsters and the interactions with and among them - there are some semblances of the concepts in Pokémon, as lifelike settlements as well as a good amount of lore, both physical and spiritual. Along with the species interactions, they make the world believable - and livable as well.

Obviously, the same occurs for other fictional universes, one of which will become pertinent soon. Even so, with regard to livability, even with worlds that have been built up, it is likely that fans might favor certain ones for living in. Certainly, given my preferences and this blog, I tend to favor living in the Pokémon world than in other worlds - but others surely may have the inverse given what they like. So, there may not be a firm correlation between worldbuilding and livability, though some amount of the former will certainly contribute to the latter and influence preferences all around, including for myself and what I enjoy.

Having said all that, this discussion was spurred by the Myst series of games. A documentary in the works for it - yes, it is in fact what I alluded to nearly four years ago - has been revealed to have a potential or possible title of "A World I'd Want to Live In". This certainly resonates with its fanbase, including me as a supporter, but it also greatly resonates with me as a Pokémon fan, so I've taken the liberty of applying the title to (my interest in) Pokémon, discussing it on this blog, and meeting my "quota" of mentioning the other series at least once a year. In both cases, the title is applicable to different extents.

At any rate, it's hard to discount that worldbuilding does or has to occur in universes or worlds with great coverage or reach, in both fans and content. It is a way that engagement is realized as well as maintained for the case of fans who continue their interest. My interest in Pokémon, no matter what form, is also a continuing one, and though worldbuilding is not emphasized in it greatly, it does influence that continuity. It also affirms my choice as a world for living in - as does Myst, by the above - and that's something that has to become a testament for those who enjoy different fictional universes to escape the real world... or even make it their real world.

One year ago: Quickies: Off (and On) the Beaten Path

Two years ago: Performance Critique: SUCOFEST 2022 J-Song

Three years ago: Basic Buddy Photo Tricks in Pokémon Go

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2020, Day 2

Five years ago: Mobile "Invasion"?

Six years ago: Two New Pokémon Center Merchandise Lines

Seven years ago: Supporting Doujin and Indie Stuff

Pokémon Center Merchandise Odds and Ends

All throughout this month, I've discussed a few kinds of Pokémon merchandise from and/or promoted by Pokémon Center in my series of "four fours" for the month. I've got one more post to make, but I've had some trouble deciding what I'd make it on, particularly since I haven't identified another specific kind or line. Yet there are even more kinds than I can stand to make posts on - or more specifically, I can't make them fill a single post. With that being the case, I've decided to round up a few that I consider "unique finds" as a few of the latest "odds and ends" in this realm.

One kind that caught my eye is the Blacklight Poster series. As highlighted in the e-mail newsletter, the posters feature Ghost-type Pokémon with dazzling colors; more of these colors appear when normal lights are turned off and they're made to glow under a black light. They're a spectacular set of posters, and it makes sense why Ghost types were highlighted for this purpose - they're the ones that get bright, at least in one way, when the outside gets dark. A fan who possesses these posters will likely enjoy showing them off in both normal light and the darkest of lights.

If the posters aren't dazzling enough, then there is a pair of bookends with real(ly) dazzling Legendary Pokémon: the Ho-Oh and Lugia Bookends. They are, of course, the "box legends" of the second-generation games, and in this case they went "out of the box" and potentially off to the side of shelves in order to keep books - likely Pokémon books - upright and perhaps in the best view possible. For bookworms, this piece of merchandise might be amazing enough even if they're not Pokémon fans, but for those who are also Pokémon fans, they ought to "close the book" in one sense.

Ending the roundup, spectacularly fittingly, is a figure called the Mountain of Discovery figure. It really is a mountain, both figuratively and literally: it depicts a rocky and mountainous scene that is filled with not one or two Pokémon, but a dazzling plethora of them (of various types, not just those of the Rock type as expected), and the scene itself is also gravity-defying in some respects, including for the featured Pokémon species. The scale of the figure is also remarkable in this regard, and as its name implies, there might always be something to discover even after continuously viewing the figure.

Undeniably, Pokémon Center will continue to feature all kinds of merchandise, from ones that fit into certain themes (like the ones I've discussed prior in the month) to those that go beyond those themes and stand out all their own (like all the ones above). The biggest trouble that a Pokémon fan might go through is deciding which ones support their fancy, needs, or scale - or any or all of those three - rather than writing up about them as I do, but at least I can try to appeal to those with my discussions and make one's Pokémon merchandise collection be the best like nothing ever was. (Sounds familiar.)

One year ago: NADWPKMN - The Video Series: Special Episode #1 - AsiA Cosplay Competition Single Performance

Two years ago: NADWPKMN - The Video Series: Episode #4 - In Character Spirit

Three years ago: Other Uses of the Pokémon TCG

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2020, Day 1

Five years ago: Pokémon for Print Projects

Six years ago: World of Pokémon... Media

Seven years ago: Videophones and Pokémon, Then and Now

Pokémon with Backgrounds in Pokémon Go

I had an idea for a post on a certain Pokémon Go topic (not the one I'm about to discuss), but I kept losing my mind before I was about to make the discussion. As such, I decided to settle on making the discussion around another topic, but still related to the game. Those who have been to certain special live events for Pokémon Go - or participated in the raids up to and for Pokémon Go Fest earlier this month - might have discovered that some Pokémon could be captured and they would have special images behind them on their information page. These Pokémon are recognized as having "backgrounds", and since the feature has recently been expanded in scope and reach, that becomes another good reason to make the discussion.

For the ones from special live events, those backgrounds would be comprised of pictures that distinctly represent the location of the events, and are as such called "location backgrounds" (also called "location cards"). As an example, the ones that I got - well, the ones that Ash got - from the Bali event were of the monument at the park where the event was held. Obviously, for each event, the image would suit the live events, and those who frequently venture to them in different parts of the world (like *ahem* BT91) would possess quite a few - or more than a few - of these, making them the highlights of one's Pokémon collection in the game.

Meanwhile, those from the earlier Pokémon Go Fest are called just "special backgrounds", and... they're just special that way, containing just generic but distinctly representative images. For the ones from those raids, they're of an Ultra Wormhole, befitting the origins of the Pokémon: Ultra Beasts from the Ultra Space. Those who paid for the event received another one from Special Research: a Solgaleo or Lunala with sun or moon designs, identifying the entities they are associated with. This is essentially an expansion of the previous concept, involving just the significance of the event rather than a location, and indeed, for many Trainers, it is effectively their first taste of the feature in general.

A few things are notable about either manifestation of the feature. They are obtained by chance (save the one from Special Research as above), so not all Pokémon caught from a raid might have the background; this in effect increases their valuable quality and the effort to find them - especially for those that can be Shiny, resulting in the exceptionally rare Shiny Pokémon with backgrounds. Those that do have them will have a flash after capturing as an indication before clearly showing the backgrounds on their information page. These will then transition in and out with their regular type identifier background, and attempting to transfer them will yield a secondary confirmation warning that they have a background, reminding them of their value.

What is also important to keep in mind is that they can be traded and they won't lose the backgrounds, so one can conceivably keep a few (read: get a few more) to share to others, or else trade away the ones they are less interested in keeping, perhaps to complete the collections of oneself and other Trainers. As such, they can also become Lucky Pokémon (regardless of involvement in a Lucky Trade, preferred but not required), and as such their backgrounds will transition in and out with the orange Lucky background instead. Any or all of these might be sought after by certain Trainers, and thus there is an incentive in keeping them - the Lucky ones regardless.

Overall, though, aside from the special qualitative aspect of the background images themselves, the biggest qualitative aspect to this feature is the memento that the backgrounds carry. Therefore, Pokémon with backgrounds become good memento of whoever, whatever, and/or whenever they are associated with, be it special people, certain events, or specific times, not all of which may necessarily be direct experiences. I can say much less about the memory of the original topic I was going to discuss and write up instead of this one - and I'll possibly keep on looking for that one - but the Pokémon with backgrounds serve as a useful aside for my memory at the moment.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic... Repeat, 7/23/2023

Two years ago: Cosplay: SUCOFEST 2022 - Multiverse

Three years ago: More Pokémon Fun with Soccer Players

Four years ago: Preparing for (Everyone's) Go Fest

Five years ago: Making Things Simple

Six years ago: The Greatest, Everyday

Seven years ago: Pokémon School

Seventh Anniversary of My Raid Group

It's been a long time since I discussed this topic, and in fact there has been a very long gap between the first and only time I've discussed it. So it is that through that long time, my raid group practically survived the ordeals of the past few years and is still here today. As explained back then, the actual anniversary is on July 25, which this year would be in two days from today, but that's on a weekday and not likely to allow many people to join in. Thus, the celebration was moved forward to the occasion of this month's Community Day, which by now can ascertain very many people - that is, members of my raid group - to join in.

Like many Pokémon species, my raid group has "evolved". Many of its senior members have  since relocated to different places (and some have become even less active or not at all), but there has been a good turnaround with the junior members, who span the gamut from adventurous families who just recently discovered the game to some isolated and/or returning players who (may) have played for some time before discovering the existence of the raid group. The combination of both the strongholds of the past and the vanguards of the present (along with one or two special guests) became part of the celebration the other day.

What a spread - of people and food.

The content of the celebration was much like the previous one. There was food to share - quite a bit now, there was even some left over - made up of the usual assortment of savory and sweet, including a cake. There were also contests: most of certain Pokémon caught within the past year, guessing Pokémon cries, and raiding a couple of Gyms, all with certain prizes. All this was done within the few hours prior to Community Day, which made things slightly hectic but still somewhat pleasant for those who came.

Even going into, during, and after Community Day, some of the celebratory atmosphere was still persistent, including for the usual post-Community Day contests with their own prizes. Compared to what happened six years ago, this celebration could be considered the most lively one yet, with about as many people as that time, if not slightly more. The occasion of Community Day pretty much helped seal the deal for this current anniversary as it was well-timed and served as a magnet for people (Trainers).

The celebration group photo.

Of course, since I did send in Ash, it's nice to talk about it a little, with the usual cast:

Ash: The food was really good! I wanted to eat more but I couldn't.

Goh: I can see that. I would have loved to have some.

Ash: And I won one of the sound games - by guessing Jigglypuff. I wasn't lucky with the Tynamo giveaways afterwards.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu pika. ["Seems a little strange."]

Goh: Huh. That does make you wonder if things had to happen the way they did.

Me: Who knows. But if it's a celebration like this, it seems that anything goes.

Ash: And being with Pokémon and people makes things great!

Me: That is indeed very important.

Goh: Can't disagree!

Finally, I also have to say that this year's anniversary adopted the tagline "7 Years, 7000 Memories". There may have been seven years to my raid group's existence, but there may just be a great deal more memories than 7000; it could be considered countless in some ways. This anniversary celebration definitely becomes a part of those memories, and those will also shape the times of the present and the future with whatever happens.

One year ago: Cosplay: Shokumatsu

Two years ago: Respect for Zeno Robinson

Three years ago: More on Ideal Raid Lengths

Four years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 5

Five years ago: Movie Manga, Part 2 (Really 2)

Six years ago: Pokémon Style Figure Sun & Moon 2 - Mimikyu

Seven years ago: Cosplay in a Bag

Pokémon Unite 3rd Anniversary

This month could be called a month of anniversaries to some extent, and one of them is for a certain "rising star" Pokémon game. That game would be Pokémon Unite, and this year is its third anniversary. Last year, as I've mentioned, was its second anniversary (see below), which I also described as going through its tumultuous "terrible twos". With the third anniversary, that has obviously passed, but it's also helpful to discuss how that might have been borne out based on what took place over the past year.

New Pokémon certainly kept coming throughout that time, even including a few "oddball" choices from generations past and present. Something that might have sealed the deal for playable Legendary Pokémon from the past year is the addition (or rather, "reclassification") of them as EX Licenses to differentiate as well as restrict them... which has happened and seems to work for the better. This addition perhaps spared a great quantity of (other) "terribleness" from being manifested.

As for most other aspects, they remain somewhat more or less the same, though Ranked play did receive minor improvements, like the Rank Protection Card that allows progress to be maintained even with a loss. Ranked play might still present some terrible moments from time to time, but at this point, that may be considered "par for the course" and players will just have to trudge on through them as usual.

Like in past years, there's an anniversary event to be had, and it works in much of the same ways as in those years. Also like in the past year, there is another playable Legendary Pokémon coming in... or rather, it has already come and it is the task of the players to obtain it (for free at the moment) by putting in some effort through the usual battles. It also might be considered a "reborn" gesture, given the ways of the Pokémon.

With three years having gone past, quite a bit of the tumult has passed, though the game being what it is, there will always be some tumult - internally in the battles this time, and hopefully not extending externally. That "reborn" gesture as above might just be one of the indicators, along with other Pokémon to come, surely.

It is now for the ages. Happy third anniversary to Pokémon Unite.

One year ago: Pokémon Unite 2^nd Anniversary

Two years ago: Pokémon Unite One-Year Anniversary

Three years ago: Go Fest 2021 Epilogue: Nighttime Music, Vocal Version

Four years ago: Getting Crafty for Go Fest

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/21/2019

Six years ago: Pokémon Style Figure Sun & Moon 2 - Mimikyu

Seven years ago: Cosplay in a Bag

Pokémon Go Community Day, 6/21/2024

Me: Um... Technically I didn't need to send Ash for this one, but...

Ash: You did! Thanks anyhow.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Good stuff!"]

Goh: OK. so it's another edition of Community Day.

Me: Indeed it is. And I sent Ash with the Unova outfit, appropriately, because...

Goh: ...the featured Pokémon was from Unova, right?

Ash: Yeah! It was Tynamo.

Goh: Oh, the electric eels! It evolves to Eelektrik, then to Eelektross.

Me: Of course. And its special move today is Volt Switch, a Fast move in this case.

Goh: Great! Electric-type move for an Electric-type Pokémon.

Ash: That'll really help in battle.

Goh: Sure. But I guess so would the bonus(es) for this one.

Me: I've got that one: quartered hatch distance.

Ash: Lots of help for hatching Eggs.

Me: You also get some help with the usual Candy and Candy XL bonuses - oh, and you'll also be helping me out with a quadruple XP bonus.

Goh: Wow! That's unusual.

Me: It is, and that's because of a different happening - which I'll cover myself and later on.

Goh: I guess the rest would be the usual stuff, then.

Ash: Like the Shiny form - I noticed our friend didn't have any.

Me: Right, as this time it was its first time.

Goh: OK, so extended Lure Modules and Incense, surprise appearances from taking pictures, extra Eelektrik raids, and discounted trades plus more Special Trades should have been everything else - and then there's showcases, item bundles, and stickers.

Ash: Hey, I think I got them all.

Me: Don't forget the usual set of tasks.

Ash: Field ones from PS, special ones with Professor Willow, and...

Goh: There's something else?

Me: Well, in this case, you need a mediator to evolve Eelektrik to Eelektross, and that would be the Unova Stone item, which you would get from timed tasks.

Ash: That makes sense, just like a few times before.

Goh: OK, so we got all that. What happened?

Ash: You'd never believe it: our friend set me up to get my hair done on the way!

Pikachu: Pika chu, pi pika. ["Very nice, that."]

Me: Uh-huh. I thought I'd also get that done in one shot so I don't have to do it for you separately later on.

Ash: But then I almost missed the party that your group was holding.

Me: Sorry about that. I thought it was a little later on in the day. But at least you got there just in time.

Goh: A party? What was the occasion?

Me: Oh, it's an anniversary. But I might explain that later on and not at this time.

Ash: But it was a great party! I got stuffed before Community Day started.

Goh: That's nice. So how'd that go?

Ash: It was OK. The Tynamo were everywhere but sometimes hard to find.

Me: I regret that. Sometimes I have problems as well with this Pokémon.

Goh: I guess you couldn't find too many of the Shiny ones.

Ash: Nope, just three.

Goh: But you did get all the tasks from Professor Willow done, right?

Ash: Yeah - it was called "Watts Up" because Tynamo is an Electric-type Pokémon.

Goh: And you evolved...

Ash: Everything that our friend could need.

Me: Wonderful! Appreciated. Anything else?

Ash: I used up all three Special Trades for Necrozma with three of your friends - and I got a really good one.

Goh: Interesting. How about Tynamo appearing from pictures?

Ash: I just took one, so not much to deal with for that. But if you ask about group pictures...

Goh: That's a pretty nice group picture, and your Unova outfit blends in well with the blue shirt the others wore.

Pikachu: Pi pi pika... ["Looks really neat..."]

Me: I have to say, that's a special anniversary shirt they created, but I didn't order one because I was short on things and I needed them elsewhere.

Ash: I can understand.

Me: I guess you can say Tynamo electrified things a bit today.

Goh: Obviously though, you didn't want to touch the Pokémon, otherwise...

Ash: It'd be a pretty good (bad) jolt!

Me: Shh, we might not want to talk about that too much with Pikachu around.

Ash: Oh, yeah! Sorry.

Me: Anyway, there is (was) a tingle in the air with this Community Day and the anniversary, and that's great for all of us.

Goh: I wouldn't put it any other way.

One year ago: The Andotrope for Pokémon

Two years ago: The Wonder and Intrigue of "Oh?"

Three years ago: Kicking Up the Cards

Four years ago: In and Out of Patterns

Five years ago: Cosplay: Japanese World 2019

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/21/2018

Seven years ago: My Favorite LINE Pokémon Stickers So Far

Taking the "Pokémon Challenge"

Faithful readers will recognize that while many of my posts are about pertinent Pokémon matters, just as many are also on things outside of Pokémon... but also made to connect to it in some way. It's almost as if it's "effortless" for that to happen to me as a Pokémon fan - but I imagine for some other fans and "not-so" fans, it would be a "challenge"... and that becomes the topic for this post. I want to discuss about something I'd like to call the "Pokémon Challenge" as something that others can take; it's in the vein of some other "challenges" on social media, but it's one that any one can take.

Basically, the terms of the "challenge" is to take something that isn't related to Pokémon and make/connect/adapt it to Pokémon, as I have done in many of my previous posts. It could be considered that the point of the "challenge" is to attempt to provide a Pokémon perspective, take, or complement to those things - which I may be considered to have done by the above. The "challenge", of course, is in making that happen for whatever one deals with, and things may not be as easy as they seem... but that's the point of it all. 

As an example, a local jazz group has a song about a "romantic" things. If they're called on to take the "Pokémon Challenge", they could opt to turn the song into bringing up Pokémon things instead - in the case of the above, instead of "romantic" things, the song could be about "Fomantis" things, the wonders of the species family. A Pokémon fan could be called on to assist in this regard, but the overall results would still be able to meet the "Pokémon Challenge" regardless, especially if it can be achieved.

I realize that I'm not necessarily fond of certain other things in this world that other people are more fond of, just like they may not be necessarily fond of Pokémon, but a "challenge" like this is good for stirring up the "pot" of interest from time to time. Perhaps it could serve as a way of sharing viewpoints as well - again, exactly what I'm doing with this blog and all the topics I've posted, some effectively being manifestations of this "challenge".

While I'm not big on social media and particularly the "challenges" that crop up there from time to time, I can try to furnish them, and being a Pokémon fan, this is the "challenge" I choose to furnish. Taking on the "challenge" is another matter, but I'm sure that fervent Pokémon fans similar to me along with some less fervent ones could be up to the task, to fill the world with Pokémon by the results of the "challenge".

One year ago: Performance Critique: Mezase Pokémon Master feat. Otaku (Redux)

Two years ago: Possible New Research Tasks?

Three years ago: Bridging Myst and Pokémon Fans

Four years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - Animated Special

Five years ago: Seeing the World with Go

Six years ago: (Routine or Special) Local Ex-Raid, 7/20/2018

Seven years ago: On Pokémon Promotional Toys

Of Leeks, Ducks, and Horses

Beyond the surface of the wondrous namesake creatures and the interactions that occur among them and related people, Pokémon also has (or may have) associations to certain illustrative situations involving their inspirations. A case in point involves the three entities as mentioned in the title of this post - leeks, ducks, and horses - and some interrelationships that exist among them. From their sounds, it seems some of those interrelationships might already be evident - yet they deserve to be explained to a certain length, which becomes the purpose of this post. 

The first two of these obviously refer to Farfetch'd and its related forms and species. As briefly explained in a Shorts video on YouTube, their associations go beyond merely the latter (duck) holding the former (leek, see also the separate treatise), which taken together in fact makes up the Japanese name of the species - Kamonegi, literally "duck-leek". Serving up duck and leek together is a common oriental tradition, but if the duck swoops in while bearing a leek - such is the statement of a Japanese proverb - then it would be ridiculous, out of this world... hence "far-fetched" and the species' English name, an obvious nod. Its Galarian form evolves to Sirfetch'd, a knightly duck - yet it's the leek that is knightly, if the Japanese species name (Negiganaito) would have one believe; taking the name another way, the leek becomes the essential component, which makes sense given its evolutionary process (moreover as illustrated in the World saga for Ash). So, there is a complex intertwining of associations here, aside from them being equally delicious foodstuffs making up the name of one enigmatic Pokémon.

Speaking of Galar, the region-specific forms as above were also discovered (OOC: debuted) concurrently with those for the Ponyta species family - a family of horses with a mystical aura - whose appearances are primarily in a certain mystical forest, seemingly mostly confined to that location. With all the knightly (and not-so-knightly) ducks roaming around brandishing their leek weapons, those horses may not want to have anything to do with them, and for a good reason: leeks (and basically any other member of the onion family) are toxic to horses, as has been attested in real life. This fact could hold up somewhat true even for those horses, and that would explain some of the confinement for them. Even without confinement, it's just a plain red flag.

Much can evidently be discerned for these three entities, in the sense of their real, figurative, as well as in-universe associations, which leads to their interrelationships and a sense of them existing. Still, that does speak for the great amount of inspiration that Pokémon takes from all sorts of facets or aspects, which makes all the things in the world more believable - and certainly wondrous in that regard.

One year ago: Remaking My Pokémon Papercraft Models?

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Goodies, Round 3

Three years ago: What It Takes To Jump-Start Pokémon Go Trainers

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/19/2020

Five years ago: The First Johto Saga English Opening Theme

Six years ago: Fast Moves and Charged Moves

Seven years ago: Movie Times

(More on) The Funko Pop! Figures

Next on the merchandise discussion that becomes the topic of this month's "four fours", I want to bring up a series of popular figures that Pokémon Center has also been promoting as of late. Besides being involved in the Pikachu and Eevee "across time" series that I've covered in the past, Funko has its recognizably popular (ahem) line of figures called the Pop! figures, and some of the members of this line are Pokémon ones, obviously including those that were promoted in the manner as above. Even so, for the purpose of discussing them on this blog, it's actually a "further discussion", as I've actually mentioned the figure line and an example figure from the line in one of my earlier posts. Still, it is perhaps something that needs to be explored (more), along with its related nuances.

Some of the most recent figures in the line that Pokémon Center has been promoting are of the "Pearlescent" series, which as implied by the meaning of the series, carries a certain sparkle to it, one that no doubt certain fans will take notice of. They might do so for the highlighted models with some of the most recognizable species - Pikachu and the Kanto starters being some of them - or they might go for some of the other members, which include Lucario and even Vulpix. Whether its these or the earlier mentioned models, fans will certainly be noticing things for their collection, and especially so for these figures with their characteristic "bobblehead" look and feel, which is now a mainstay.

Yet that look and feel may be what some people - at least outside of the Pokémon fandom - are not so fond of, especially considering how somewhat "deformed" they do somewhat look (perhaps relatively, in comparison to another specific design style that "claims" this quality). Granted, they all do look somewhat the same, lending credence to the "cash grab" theory of the figures, including Pokémon. Yet if the Pokémon ones still have something to say, at least some of them have quite unique designs that some fans will be happy to pick up and own regardless of the nuances that may apply to this figure line.

For me personally, I wouldn't go out of my way to get them - come to think of it, the same would seem apply to one of my friends for a different fandom, if one existed for that - but the Funko Pop! line of figures still does bear mentioning, especially as they come in Pokémon form and have been officially promoted as such by the official merchandise purveyor entity. The distinct appearance of the figures may not be for everyone, but at least Pokémon is, and that makes for a wonderful time collecting (any form of) merchandise.

One year ago: Translation Issues in Café Remix?

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Repeat, 7/16/2022

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Day 2

Four years ago: Team GO Rocket's Aerial Attacks

Five years ago: The State of Nominations

Six years ago: The Eevee Identity

Seven years ago: Only One Save File

Alternative Communities for Pokémon Fans

Most fans of Pokémon will engage in some sort of a community for the games they play and the things that they enjoy in relation to the franchise. Evidently, the same also very much applies to me for the Pokémon things I enjoy. However, there may be a point when a fan may have to seek engagement in a different community for certain reasons in order to maintain their enjoyment. Those communities are what I want to discuss in this post along with the aspects related to them.

Certainly, one part of this is the rationale or reason why a fan would want to seek out alternative communities. They may be fed up with the way that a certain community is structured, even if only in partial, and would like to be able to be involved in a different way. If not fed up with the structure and/or its workings, they might be fed up with the people involved in them and do not wish to be influenced by or become like them. At least some of these (and other) reasons may have some validity.

There are several possibilities for the ways that alternative communities could be realized. An alternate group for "more civilized" but still hardcore play could be devised, and it would be one that would be more welcoming and less ornery than the original group, eventually becoming a community all its own. It could also be possible to have general-interest groups - that can also then become communities - that would support the undertakings of specific groups, thereby being able to present itself as an alternative community.

I may be considered to have some examples of alternative Pokémon communities. One of my "splinter" raid groups was actually bigger in the past and could have served (or initially have developed) as an alternate community - a very big name Trainer in Pokémon could actually attest that. Meanwhile, I am also part of certain general-interest Pokémon groups - some actually started by certain people I've mentioned here - that could serve as "proto-communities" at the very least for certain efforts.

At any rate, fans of Pokémon (including I myself) will still have to contend with all the possible communities for all corners of the franchise. Yet that also might mean contending with some possible alternative communities if some of the present ones present their own quirks and issues. Still, that seems to be the nature of certain fandoms like Pokémon, whose fans might be pretty fluid in getting along with others of their kind - even ones that can serve to fill voids others might create.

One year ago: Contemporary Issues with Pokémon Games

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/17/2022

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Day 1

Four years ago: Catch Me If...

Five years ago: The First Johto Saga Japanese Opening Theme

Six years ago: Rearranged Pokémon Music

Seven years ago: How Far Do People Know Pokémon?

Let's Go Make Some Fusions

It is known that some Pokémon have forms that are essentially them combined with another Pokémon (for one reason or another). This is known under the term and concept of "Fusion" and at present covers a few species of Pokémon, notably some that are twosomes accompanied by a third. And it is this concept that is now also present in Pokémon Go along with the first batch of the Pokémon for which the concept applies. 

The Pokémon that lead the pack are Necrozma, and by extension and association Solgaleo and Lunala as the two Pokémon the former can fuse with. Necrozma can fuse with Solgaleo to result in Dusk Mane Necrozma, or with Lunala to result in Dawn Wings Necrozma. It can be easily seen why I opted to use the term "redefinition", as these Fusion forms involving these Pokémon take them beyond the qualities that apply to them.

For Necrozma to be able to fuse, one needed to have collected Fusion Energy (Solar for Solgaleo, Lunar for Lunala) by raiding the Fusion forms above two days ago during the Global edition of Pokémon Go Fest - or else, from the paid Special Research set obtained after the free set. Other requirements are sufficient Candy for both Pokémon species involved in a Fusion, which for Solgaleo and Lunala means Cosmog Candy.  

To make the Fusion happen, for a selected Necrozma, the "Fuse" button is tapped for a desired form. The resources above are consumed, and the Necrozma takes on the form. The Fusion form is persistent, although one may choose to break the Fusion if desired - with the caveat that the spent resources are not regained, and more resources need to be consumed in order to re-create the Fusion, even with the same Pokémon.

As for specific details, the Fusion form has the IVs of the selected Necrozma - a given, since the main Pokémon involved in the Fusion is that species. This leads to the best practice of creating a Fusion of the best Necrozma available with a Solgaleo or Lunala one isn't too fond of (likely one with the worst IVs) and keeping it that way; the Fusion form is persistent after all and there shouldn't have to be any reason to break it.

In the case that one does have to consider to break the Fusion - perhaps after considering to apply the best practice above - it is important to recognize that unless one has amassed a significant amount of Fusion Energy from the raids, it may not be possible to make another at present. Thus, it may be preferable to keep the Fusion until it becomes possible to collect more of the required Fusion Energy for the forms.

Fans will recognize that there is another group of three species that are technically Fusion capable, and they're already present in Pokémon Go... but their earlier circumstance wasn't warranted (and even deserves a separate discussion). However, it is strongly likely that the occasion of the next Pokémon Go Tour in about half a year may just warrant the Fusion to occur, and that's a tantalizing prospect for later.

A concept like Fusion decidedly presents its own challenges for implementation, but once implemented as in the case of the three Pokémon above, the challenge is then passed on to individual Trainers to make the best of it. In this first official implementation, the challenge then involves the bleak of night and the glare of day, and how they blend together for an amazing time to pave times of Fusions ahead.

One year ago: Cosplay: Onokatsu Japanese Festival

Two years ago: Cosplay: Community Base Party

Three years ago: Go Fest in the Time of...

Four years ago: Starting from Somewhere

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Version 1?

Six years ago: Daily Tasks

Seven years ago: Flying Quirks of Charizard

The Pokémon Go Fest Experience... with Ash in Tow

Me: One more thing before leaving the Pokémon Go Fest weekend: I want to discuss about it - but not by myself, for I want to include you two.

Goh: Oh, did you send Ash for this one?

Ash: He did! But just on the second day.

Me: That's right. On the first day, it was just myself, but on the second day, I decided to make things a little more lively and send you. Now, if you remember...

Ash: We did this last year too!

Me: Indeed.

Goh: And it was the same case too, just on the second day.

Ash: Wouldn't you believe it - it was just like that time.

Pikachu: Pika chu pika! ["Very much so!"]

Goh: Based on what you wrote up... it was all about raids.

Ash: Yeah! It was for Necrozma, but it looked really different.

Goh: Oh! These look like they have a bit of Solgaleo and Lunala in them, the main Legendary Pokémon of the Alola region.

Ash: They do, don't they?

Me: I'd like to say that I'll have more on them soon, especially now that things have been understood.

Ash: I think I know what you wanted me to do, but I understand. We'll get it right later on.

Goh: Speaking of... what did you get right on Sunday?

Ash: I got through most of the tasks with Rhi. I got to the second set... but then got stopped by two raid tasks, and by then I was tired of raiding.

Goh: I'd be tired too if I had to do a lot, so you must have done a lot.

Ash: I lost count. It might have been more than 20.

Goh: I don't blame you - that's a lot.

Pikachu: Pika chu... ["A lot..."]

Me: Well, anyway, we've discussed this year and last year's, so why don't we discuss about general experiences - even ones I may not have sent Ash to.

Goh: I'd say... you'd have to be prepared to catch a lot of Pokémon, given what you said in writing.

Ash: But that does sound like fun.

Me: It would have to be a day when things align... or not, like....

Goh: ...like on Sunday? 

Me: Yeah.

Goh: I think we're getting at the reason you sent Ash, but I assume we'll deal with that later?

Me: You said it.

Goh: So maybe we can talk a little bit more about the people (Trainers) Ash interacted with.

Ash: There were new friends and old friends on Sunday - friends of our friend, of course. 

Me: Were some of them friends that I haven't seen in a long time?

Ash: Hey, yeah! A couple of them were.

Goh: That's very nice. It would be like meeting friends from my school or other gatherings.

Pikachu: Chu pika chu. ["You could say."]

Me: You know, it's very much like that. Or maybe like a festival or convention.

Goh: OK, out with it. Was there one on Sunday?

Me: Two, in fact. My intel tells me they were battling for visitors... and the one that had been scheduled earlier lost the battle.

Goh: Oh, dear. That must have been tough.

Ash: I guess it was a good thing we weren't part of the "battle"??

Me: Well, I guess so. We definitely saved some effort and cash by not dealing with them.

Goh: Hey, at least you still got Ash to meet and talk with people, so you two got something out of that.

Me: Very true.

Ash: If it weren't for Go Fest, what would you have me do?

Me: Oh, there might have been some singing involved. Performing on stage could have been a toss-up, though.

Goh: So, as you said - saved a few things. There is always a next time, but Go Fest only comes once a year.

Me: Also very true. It's like a certain convention... but that's out of range for this discussion.

Ash: I think Go Fest is awesome for Pokémon! You can get me to do all sorts of things.

Pikachu: Chu pika! ["For sure!"]

Goh: And it could be like a convention with social things, even if it isn't one.

Me: You'd believe the ones outside would be a little more like that.

Goh: So, social things, Pokémon things, active things - they're all part of Go Fest. 

Ash: Don't forget all the fun - with or without me!

Me: There you go: that's the experience, and a great one indeed.

One year ago: The (Master) Magnet Man

Two years ago: My Nintendo Rewards - Pokémon Wallpapers

Three years ago: Professor Willow Goes to the TCG

Four years ago: More on Remote Raids

Five years ago: The Switch Lite

Six years ago: Mew @ Everywhere

Seven years ago: What Kind of Pokémon Are You?

Pokémon Go Fest 2024 (Global), Day 2

Then there is (or was) the second day of the festivities for Pokémon Go Fest. As with the past years, this day served as a continuation of things from the first day, although some of them are necessarily different. The manifestations are likewise the most important things for today as they were for yesterday, and they make up the rest of the grand event on its final day.

Yesterday was the global debut of the being that, as I've said, brings "redefinition" to light and shadow - that with the name of Necrozma. Today, Trainers got to see how that redefinition was manifested: it came in the form of Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings Necrozma in five-star raids, becoming the main attraction for today - the entire day, in fact, from when raids first appeared to when they ended. As such, it was the Pokémon that Trainers mostly raided today, including me. The increased free passes for ticket holders supported this purpose, and somewhat well.

Also much like last year, complementing the actions of today were two Special Research sets, one free for all even without a ticket purchase, and another given out after the completion of the former. If Professor Willow guided the set from yesterday - a fact worth mentioning now - Rhi came back to guide the sets for today, appropriately given the Ultra Space origins of Necrozma. The tasks gave out helpful items and relevant Pokémon, including those made by choices early on in the two sets, some even tied to the Cosmog family as a pertinent aspect to its state of affairs. Increased raid damage was the bonus for ticket holders, complementing a bonus of unlimited remote raids that had been in effect since Friday.

While remote raids were unlimited, for some Trainers, there might have been a limit to how many they could, wanted to, or possibly allowed to do. That was true for my fellow Trainers and even me, as we set out on raiding both the Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings forms for all their rewards, including one kind in particular that has its own functions - ones I can't discuss at the moment and that require a separate discussion due to their scale and importance. Along the way, both minor and major mishaps may have occurred, though in the vein of Pokémon Go events over the years, they're par for the course and may even be part of the experience.

It is also worth it at this time to mention other bonuses as an aside to the above and as they applied to yesterday and today. Everyone could also celebrate with new fashion items (including the usual exclusive T-shirt) and commemorative stickers, some of which had also appeared earlier. Routes may have had appearances of featured Pokémon from the other Go Fest events this year, and Party Play also had tasks with the special costumed Pikachu. From last week, ticket holders could have accessed 7 km Eggs with certain featured Pokémon, including the rare ones. They or may not have alleviated woes or added to joys over this weekend, but they are still welcome nonetheless.

On the final day of Pokémon Go Fest, the chases of brightness and darkness have come to a major climax. But with the rest of the season and all adventures to follow, pursuits of some qualities of these and other things are at hand. Whether glowing or shady, that may just be for those things and Trainers to define.

One year ago: The Single-Type Cup of GBL

Two years ago: Forest Bathing with Pokémon

Three years ago: Redeeming Offer Codes in Pokémon Go

Four years ago: Miss You, Brandon

Five years ago: Cosplay: COSTHNIFEST

Six years ago: Spending on Pokémon

Seven years ago: A Pokémon Forum Persona

Pokémon Go Fest 2024 (Global), Day 1

So, now it's time for the Global edition of Pokémon Go Fest, which as discussed earlier on in this season, is practically a "wrap-up" for the entire run of Pokémon Go Fest this season this year. Also as discussed, there were certain "running themes" that had been detailed for all of its editions, and they manifested themselves differently for each edition yet similarly overall, with the primary theme being the "chase" between brightness and darkness. The manifestations specific to the Global edition are what I want to discuss today as well as tomorrow, and I'll start with mostly those of today.

Just like those in past years, from 10 AM to 6 PM today there were habitats rotated on the hour, composed of four habitats repeated once. This time (ahem), the themes were times of day: Dawn Meadow, Shining Day, Creeping Dusk, and Darkest Night; they are respectively composed of Pokémon species exemplifying natural beauty, radiant brightness, sneaky glows, and grim mysticism. Complementing them were two new forms of Pikachu wearing sun and moon crowns in the "early" habitats and one each of Espeon and Umbreon with special scarves in the "late" habitats. Everyone had the chance to encounter and capture all these Pokémon today (with more chances tomorrow, free of habitat restrictions), and those with paid tickets can encounter - by activating an Incense - Unown of the letters that make up the words "DAY" and "NIGHT" plus a unique rare Pokémon depending on habitat. The special Pikachu and evolved Eevee forms also appeared in raids (one star and three star respectively), and one-hour Lure Modules and photo bombs complemented the Pokémon appearances.

The biggest (and most dramatic) chases occurred in top-level raids over the course of this day, which rapidly changed among the nine Ultra Beasts - including the two that debuted this year - that can be raided, in addition to the Legendary force of the Ultra Space: Necrozma, the being that redefines light and shadow, for which Pokémon Go Fest becomes its venue of debut this year. To raid, one needs raid passes, and naturally, more free passes were given out today to help raid as many Ultra Beasts or Necrozma as one may think one needs, at least for today.

On the side of Research, also like last year, Field Research complemented the habitats, giving Pokémon or item rewards. Each habitat also had an associated Collection Challenge of nine specific Pokémon that unlike last year had to be completed today, although they did not include the special costumed forms as above. Global Challenges, though, were still on par with last year for its capturing objectives and bonuses. The big ticket item - literally, as it represents the preview image for the ticket purchase in the in-game shop - is today's Special Research set, focused on tasks that eventually leads to an encounter with Marshadow, an odd Mythical Pokémon of the darkness - and so thusly the light has been shed.

As for my times of day, they were spent with many of those from my raid group (and a few external colleagues) to go through today's offerings, particularly the catching and raids, to go through them all in a timely manner. I didn't have a very good haul in raids, particularly for Necrozma, but I did complete the Special Research set up to just before the Marshadow encounter, preferring to hold it back for now, especially given the possible shenanigans that may crop up on Day 2. I'll have the answer to that tomorrow as well as the other side matters of this year's Global edition.

If each day is filled with the lightness and brightness of day and the starkness and darkness of night, then today's offerings for Pokémon Go Fest have neatly fulfilled them. All that is left is to see how the night transitions to the day and vice versa, and some insights have been provided on this day. What separates the two from each other, and thus what remains to be elucidated, is something that makes a pursuit across each day - and now Trainers are also in pursuit of that, at least going into tomorrow.

One year ago: The Pokérus and Its Importance

Two years ago: Good Pokémon Cosplay Relationships

Three years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - Sheet Music Boss Edition

Four years ago: Giving the Gift of Pokémon GIFs

Five years ago: I'm a... Bounty Hunter?

Six years ago: Losing and Finding Links

Seven years ago: Strategy Guides and My Pokémon Experience

Current Quibbles with Dracoviz

As I've discussed earlier, the tournament organization portion of Silph Arena has been taken up by a site called Dracoviz. For the most part, it works well... but also as I've said, it is seemingly incomplete or a "work in progress". As such, some players (Trainers) - including I myself - might have some "quibbles" with the site and its system in general. For this post, I want to discuss what some of those "quibbles" might be and the hopeful prospects for them.

One of the ways the "work in progress" quality is evident is through recent interface updates. When I took the plunge and signed up for Dracoviz, only a "light theme" version of the site was available; mid-way through the first tournament I took part in using the site, the interface was updated to allow a choice between that and a "dark theme". Granted, this is now already more than what the Silph Arena offered - the Arena effectively only had a "dark theme" - but it does seem a little puzzling that it wasn't something initially offered. Then, at around the same time, the teams display for tournament participants was updated, making them more space-efficient (particularly on the desktop site) and adding type icons for moves. Seeing that the site has been present for practically the most part of the post-Silph Arena inaugural season, it's also a wonder why this didn't happen sooner.

Then, there are other present aspects that highlight that quality. From what I can see, Dracoviz has no "check-in" system, which could have helped with the live tournament from a few days ago to cull absent participants; even so, such a system was largely ignored in Silph Arena for remote tournaments, which is more sensible as the participants are assumed to be present wherever they are. The addition of this may or may not happen, but it could be a fix for the "quibble". A more personal one I have is the absence of a "condensed" rankings display: although the teams display does show participants and their rankings, which could be construed to have a double function in this regard, the display does take up a lot of space. If the display could be minimized, whether by default or by a user-initiated toggle (or even both), then a "condensed" rankings display could be had without adding another, separate one and adding clutter to the site - something that is positive about its "spartan" look.

Regardless of the current state of the now de facto site used for organizing Pokémon Go tournaments, its presence is and should already be welcome to community PvP and beyond. What it may take for it to go into high gear is to make the site look less of a "work in progress" and implement fixes for the remaining "quibbles" - some of mine as mentioned above, and perhaps those of other Trainers - for the improvement of its workings in the hope that Trainers in Pokémon Go do so for their game as well.

One year ago: The Final Stretch: Silph Arena's Last Championships

Two years ago: Common Event Mechanisms in Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: Collaboration for Pokémon

Four years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - GabaLeth Edition

Five years ago: Brandon Tan in My Town!!!

Six years ago: Exploring Dual Types

Seven years ago: "Don't Fear Failure!"