Last year, I discussed the addition of Pokémon species from the ninth generation to Pokémon Go and how that constitutes a "skipping out" of sorts for the eighth generation, as the one before it. I also mentioned that it would seem to be trivial to add the latter whenever... and that time has come: they were added just a couple of days ago, and that means they are no longer "skipped out" and the generation has made its "formal entry" after having only been "previewed" with a select number of species since a few years ago. The matter makes it appear like blanks - or gaps, as mentioned back then - are being filled out, and that makes for a good topic of discussion in regard to the species of this generation and any other species (left from other generations) to be added to the game.
As noted at the start of this new season, this generation is known not only for a boatload of new species but also the specific "gargantuan phenomenon", along with a host of certain forms that tie into this phenomenon. Therefore, additions of species from this generation not only constitute additions of particular, individual species, but also additions of certain forms - including for some species earlier than the eighth generation - in order to fill blanks in the specific generation and beyond. Again, the phenomenon itself will need to be explained separately, even now as shades of its manifestations in Pokémon Go are becoming evident, but it's clear that blanks (gaps) will be created at the same time they are filled.
With the addition of eighth-generation species and that "phenomenon", it seems the point of "newer content only" additions seems to become imminent for Pokémon Go. However, that doesn't mean the work hasn't been cut out, as a few "older content" additions are also still nagging even at this point. That's as much an act of filling in blanks as dealing with those for the additions for the particular generation being referenced, and there's a sense that a fine act of balancing the content additions and gap fillers will be required from this point forward, and that's saying much, considering the reputation of the game when new content is put in.
Even as things are being looked back, there is also the matter of "looking forward" to worry about. That would concern a potential tenth generation for Pokémon and what it would mean for the franchise as a whole, of which Pokémon Go is only a local part. Still, much of the concerns for this lie with the originators (Game Freak) as a whole, and Niantic as the developer of Pokémon Go can and only need to follow suit when things happen. That could mean potentially different - or just the same - challenges of gap filling.
Skipping out Galar for Paldea last year had meant leaving a big blank to be (more) filled in, but it's a good thing that now that blank has is indeed being filled, starting with the standard "formal entry". If anything, however, filling in blanks will likely become a continued theme of Pokémon Go development, now and in the times to come. Trainers can only hope that the blanks being filled not only satisfy gaps in the Pokédex but also their battle experience.
One year ago: TCG Live Is Live! (...Mostly?)
Two years ago: The Food Element Categories of Café Remix
Three years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights: The Lighter Side
Four years ago: Worlds Within Worlds
Five years ago: The New PvP Charged Move Mechanism
Six years ago: AFA ID in Memoriam
Seven years ago: Cold as the Winds
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