Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/31/2026

Then, there is the rollup of events in Pokémon Go to deal with. This month moves forward the season that also aptly has the same theme ("Forever Forward"). It also moves the game into its prime celebratory season, being the time surrounding its anniversary, as detailed earlier in this month. And it is a prime celebration, which as I've said is its 10th year for this year. All the details would then lie in the surrounding events, which is the purpose of this rollup to cover and present them as they are (or were).

The actual celebratory event would be the aptly titled 10th Anniversary Party from July 4 to 6, also covering the monthly Community Day up to the actual anniversary day. It brought about a slew of past celebratory costumed Pokémon in the wild, as well as a new one for Gimmighoul with a 10th anniversary coin from its usual sources; some might also appear in Field Research encounters. A paid Timed Research set provided premium niceties, and a new avatar item and new stickers made things festive. All this was supplemented by bonuses of evolving Kanto starters to get their special moves, as well as increased catch XP and Stardust as well as Shiny and background (for Gimmighoul) chances. It was a short celebratory event, but that was needed since the party would continue in a longer form in a different way.

Following the celebration, things led up to the Global edition of Pokémon Go Fest with the Road of Legends event from July 6 to 10. This event served as the accompanying event for that, for which its Go Pass of 200 ranks furnished all the niceties for and through the grand weekend event, including in its Deluxe track. As for its other features, true to its name, it had a lot of Legendary Pokémon, from an all-out raid-able bash on Monday, Fusion selections on Tuesday and Wednesday, Crowns on Thursday, and Origins and Primals on Friday, plus complementary Mega Raids for each save Primals. All of them might also have a special background celebrating raids when caught, and they might have Fusion moves if applicable. Other complements to this event were special 2, 5, and 10 km Eggs, as well as bonuses of no remote limit (through Go Fest), stickers, increased Premier Ball catch rate, increased Party Power, and an extra free raid pass on the specific event days. In a way, it was even more of a celebration because of the lead-up to the prime event, which is (and was) a total "fest" in itself.

Fittingly, a Pokémon celebration has to involve Pikachu, and that was the Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration from July 13 to 20 was all about. It featured the return of many past costumed Pikachu (from special events, anniversaries, and the like) in the wild in roughly two-day periods with different selections in each, as well as a constant selection in raids of one star, and certainly encounters from some Field Research tasks. Pikachu was also easier to catch during the event. Meanwhile, its Go Pass of 60 ranks featured the return of Cosplay Pikachu with glittery items and lots of XP, as well transfer Candy (XL) and catch Stardust bonuses. A Super Mega Raid Day for Raichu - both X and Y forms - coincided with the event on July 18 with all the usual perks, so its evolved (and further evolved) form didn't miss out on the celebration as well, making it inclusive and quintessential for the event.

Last up for this month's prime celebration was the first Ultra Unlock bonus from Go Fest, as the 10th Anniversary Edition from July 21 to 27. It featured the debut of a costumed Pikachu that resembles Professor Willow on its first day and then throughout the event; the first partners of the various regions were also present in the wild (and Field Research encounters) in three-day periods, which when caught could also have backgrounds depending on one's team; all of them could also be evolved to get their special moves. Lure Modules had some powerhouse Pokémon while a few with party hats appeared in raids. Each three-day period also had even more catch XP (up to 10 times), and new Professor Willow avatar items made things lively, along with the stickers from the earlier celebration event. The Masterwork Research for Shiny Shaymin could also be gotten if one hasn't done so. Finally, this event's Go Pass of 60 ranks had some unusual premium goodies like the Golden Lure Module, a T-shirt, more encounters, and Candy (XL) bonuses at each of its milestones to make the celebration more worthwhile.

Lodged in the weekend of the previous event was the Ozone Ascent event from July 25 to 26, which simply had a Timed Research set to be completed to encounter Rayquaza and get its Mega Evolution niceties, a kind of appeal in itself. Then, there was the make-up (as mentioned) for Day 2 of Go Fest on July 26, which in a way was appropriate since the former needed raids, and players needed the best experience.

July will surely cement itself into Pokémon Go as its anniversary month and celebration, and for the tenth iteration as above for this year, the celebration really kept on coming on. Yet that is certainly something players (Trainers) can benefit from in very many ways, perhaps as many as the game's current and future years.

One year ago: The State of Nominations, Part 35

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/31/2024

Three years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 23

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

Five years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 11

Six years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - Virtual Team Lounge

Seven years ago: Mythical Numbers?

Eight years ago: To Watch a Movie

Nine years ago: Like a Fierce Double Battle

The State of Nominations, Part 41

Looking at previous years, see below, this day and the next day - the latter to be dealt with tomorrow - have been alternating in their coverage of nomination updates and event rollups. This year, that will continue, with today being devoted to the former (which also means that tomorrow will be the latter) to maintain the pattern. That's also perfect since I've got something good this time for that update and it deserves to be discussed as soon as possible - as in, now.

For that, now I'm able to update on its actual progress, something I haven't been able to do since January. Since then, I've made four nominations and I've had all of them Accepted, bringing the total to 195. Since they are "four for four", my Not Accepted nominations remain at 71 for its total. This is good progress - even if I'm still not able to determine some of their status definitively - and I can stand to make a few more of these nominations soon enough with certainty.

Then, there are the monthly impact numbers that have been going since the end of last year. The numbers are in for June (21771 visits by 1653 players) and July (32591 visits by 1791 players), and they're extremely satisfying. July being the big Go Fest month correlates well with these numbers, and that will definitely make them hard to replicate in other months. Of course, there isn't a special event in Pokémon Go every month, so that much is also key to these numbers.

Now that I've regained some confidence in making more nominations, that will become exactly what I'll do in the next two months. Still, as with what happened since the beginning of this year, I will still keep some sensibility in mind for many of those future nominations. Though I'm able to make even more nominations than ever (the limit has been recently increased to 60), I'm surely not going to use all of them, and only the ones that matter to me will be used somehow.

While there's no telling if or when I'll have to break the alternation pattern of the posts - even though there is also a history of them also being inconsistent somehow - they will still be consistent in the topics, given their importance to Pokémon Go. This edition of the nomination updates highlights that in a way, with the return of some of the ways I've done things previously along with some new aspects. After that, it's only a matter of how the process has manifested in the game.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/30/2025

Two years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 29

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/30/2023

Four years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 17

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

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

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

Eight years ago: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Nine years ago: Cosplay: ACOLYTES 2017

A Pokémon Scooter Dream

As I've mentioned time and time again, dreams are fleeting, whether they're mine or others' as well as whether they're related to Pokémon or not. Accordingly, many of them tend to just drift away as soon as they end, unless I'm fortunate to record their details immediately. However, some days ago, I had a Pokémon dream that was much less fleeting than most other dreams I've had, and I could recall most of its details even now just by thinking about the core aspect of the dream. Now I'd like to preserve it in greater detail with a post here.

Certainly, the core aspect that appeared in the dream was a scooter. It was not an ordinary scooter, though; when a special module was equipped, it could play Pokémon music - in particular, the soundtrack to the first-generation games. From a technical standpoint, perhaps it could also play other kinds of music with other modules, but for this particular dream, the detail of the Pokémon music module became the aspect that stuck out and made it what it is.

In the dream, I was also using the scooter to get around places I rarely get to and even times I wouldn't even think I would do that in, being early to mid-evening. And this happened while the Pokémon music was still playing, which became a nice touch to the dream. Of course, all dreams also end, and this happened as I was approaching one of my intended destinations while riding the scooter. After that, it became a matter of remembering it, which came easily.

This dream can be said to highlight the lasting effect of Pokémon music for a Pokémon fan like me. It can make things lively even if the situation is out of the ordinary, in this case a scooter that allows it to be played... and I don't even ride one in real life, at least not by myself. Yet no matter how oddball things seem, the Pokémon aspect seems to make it make sense somehow as well as pleasant to be enjoyed within the context of this particular and quite realistic dream.

Even now as the dream has passed many days ago and I'm writing up this post, I still feel a sense of being attached to the dream and would be pleased if it somehow could be realized. In that way, it's a Pokémon dream that is truly lasting and not as fleeting, and it may just be quite fascinating for other Pokémon fans, who can now share the dream.

One year ago: Under a Cloudy Sky

Two years ago: Crossover Holowear?

Three years ago: Cosplay: Anime Cosupure (Cosplay) Matsuri

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

Five years ago: P25 Music for Life?

Six years ago: The Values of Posts

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

Eight years ago: First Anniversary of My Raid Group

Nine years ago: Under 100 Hours?

Hunting for Souvenirs in Pokémon Go

Earlier this year, I discussed some of my favorite souvenirs that sometimes Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon Go will bring back to their Trainers and put in a review of what they are just in case that may be helpful to a Trainer. Also as stated, they might be necessary to collect at times - a more recent example being a task in the Special Research set for Shiny Diancie - so this time I would like to discuss that collection aspect. It could perhaps be described as a "hunt" for them, so I'm framing this discussion in that manner.

For those Trainers whose Buddy Pokémon are typically stuck on one or two Pokémon (like me - I confess), especially for the purpose of bringing them up to at least Ultra Buddy level as the requisite level for hunting souvenirs in the first place, they'll still get some souvenirs when that happens and in the days after. Granted, the going might be slow, but the souvenirs will present themselves in those days, even if it won't happen every day. It makes for a passive kind of hunting, but it may sometimes be necessary.

If more immediate service is necessary, and there is a selection of the above kind of Buddy Pokémon (hint - search term "buddy4-"), then it's possible to hunt through these Pokémon for leftover unopened gift bundles that possibly contain souvenirs and make things go a bit faster. It also affords an interaction opportunity with each of these Pokémon - by playing with (that is, petting) them - and get buddy hearts. While changing Buddy Pokémon is limited to 20 times a day, that should be enough to get the needed souvenirs from them.

Now, there is a process by which some Buddy Pokémon can be "chained" to get souvenir gifts, which could be done along with the above process. It's a bit tricky and even involves a Great Buddy as well as quite a bit of waiting; even then, the "chain" could still be broken in the process. There is the sense that if one is going to go through the above trouble, it might as well be tried. Regardless, I've never tried it and it's not on my list of priorities, but since there is a "vouch" for the method, those with the leeway can absolutely try.

Getting souvenirs from Buddy Pokémon could be described as an "inexact science", given what happens above and in general with them. Yet for the very few times (now and at some other points of time) that they are needed, there are some ways and efforts of getting them, which might ultimately depend on one's patience and the methodology itself. For all those efforts, there is still a sense of appreciation about getting the souvenirs as well as for the exemplary Buddy Pokémon to whom they would become attached.

One year ago: Dealing with Losing Streaks in Pokémon Games

Two years ago: Cosplay: Arto Fest

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 7/28/2023

Four years ago: Energy Exchange in Pokémon Unite

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

Six years ago: On Live Blogging (and Pokémon)

Seven years ago: Team GO Rocket Blasting Off

Eight years ago: Figure Photography

Nine years ago: Modern Games, Retro Flavor

A Pokémon Collector Exchange Idea

Something that groups of people who collect Pokémon merchandise of various kinds could probably use is an idea for making an exchange of merchandise. This could be especially true if they have large groups and want to facilitate a mass merchandise exchange among their members, also potentially redistributing the merchandise to those who seek them. For that, I thought of presenting one such idea that they can apply as a form of "collector exchange".

The idea involves gathering up all the merchandise on a table where everyone can see them, and when the time comes for the exchange, each person comes up to the table and chooses an item - likely not something of their own - to obtain for themselves. Each person would be randomly selected for this purpose, and if there are more items than there are people, then each person can go again. In any case, once the table is completely cleared out, the exchange stops and everyone goes back with the items they obtained.

What could also work would be that some people would have the "privilege" of coming up to the table more than once during the draw if they attained certain achievements - though this would have to be coupled with a really great number of merchandise items on the table. As for the draw itself, the selection should ideally be in quick succession, which would be even more suitable for large numbers of people and merchandise items. The prospect of this being viable for large Pokémon gatherings then becomes rather evident.

In fact, the above roughly describes the merchandise exchange process that takes place at Mysterium, a convention for fans of the Myst series of games (for which this year's edition just ended and I'm "shoehorning" the "annual mention" of the game series right into this post). It's growing in the number of attendees from year to year, especially at special milestones - which could also be said to apply to Pokémon gatherings in certain contexts. While the contexts are different, the exchange systems could be made to be similar somehow.

Any gathering of fans for different pop culture series might inevitably involve merchandise and its exchange at some point, especially when it gets big enough. At that point, it is likely that a system is needed for that purpose, especially if the gathering becomes systematic as well. At the least, an idea for a system like the one above could be considered, and it would allow a "collector exchange" to be manifested that reflects the massiveness of the series in question.

One year ago: Cosplay: I-Zone @ Chifest

Two years ago: Like Magnemite to Electricity

Three years ago: Character Limits in Pokémon Games

Four years ago: New Strides with the Daily Adventure Incense

Five years ago: Further Remixes of GBL Leagues?

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

Seven years ago: A Time for Everything

Eight years ago: Online Pokémon Newsletters

Nine years ago: Sprites, Models, and Evolutions

Five Creatures on a Torn Island

Just a few years ago, I wrote up a fairly imaginative post about six places that can correspond with six Pokémon types - although now that I think about it, I could have made it seven and seven, but I won't discuss that now. What I will discuss, however, is a follow-up or "sequel" to that post, since the six (plus one) places also do follow up to a sequel in a manner of speaking. It'll still have the Pokémon relation, but also in a different manner: this time I'm not bringing up specific types, but definite species instead along with the setting.

That setting, as predictable by the title, is a torn island that suffers from degradation by the environment, although in a way, there is also some human influence in that degradation. It sounds like a harsh and unforgiving environment, but both Pokémon species and their real-life counterparts (animal species) have been known to survive in settings one would not expect life to be able to persist. Of course, sometimes there may be such a thing as "too harsh", and some of these species may just fit the bill to be "saved" - more on that shortly.

Now, the five creatures - in a certain order - correspond to the Pokémon species of Mantine, 

Heracross, Politoed, Lapras, and Wailord, perhaps quite roughly in both scale and appearance. All of them make their marks on the environment as well as people (yes, there are people too) who deal with them in their everyday life. Still, it has to be said that they might be on the darker side of things in this environment, but that's not to say that there are people who revere them for all the good that they bring.

Back to the "saving" part, it would certainly take some effort to save a few of the mentioned species above that exist in this setting, particularly given that the commonly recognized (or even archetypal) forms of the above are pretty big to begin with, especially Wailord. They would also have the potential to become "regional forms" given their environment, much like what has happened in other Pokémon regions. Yet when Pokémon is brought up as a topic, perhaps there are not many things that a Poké Ball can't fix.

Many of the places I've mentioned (and far more beyond - which might be able to serve further "sequels" of this and the previous post) in fact have odd and intense characteristics that make them unique. That would certainly apply to many Pokémon species as well with their own odd and intense characteristics. Then, if they match, or at least if the species profiles match as in the above case, it makes for a pretty neat imagery of how Pokémon might just be able to relate to these places and others beyond them.

One year ago: Odd Pokémon Items from Conventions

Two years ago: Building Worlds to Live In

Three years ago: Quickies: Off (and On) the Beaten Path

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

Five years ago: Basic Buddy Photo Tricks in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2020, Day 2

Seven years ago: Mobile "Invasion"?

Eight years ago: Two New Pokémon Center Merchandise Lines

Nine years ago: Supporting Doujin and Indie Stuff

Cosplay: Japaniversal 2026

Me: Remember last month when I tried to send Ash to a festival and it didn't happen, so he went to Community Day instead?

Goh: Oh. This must be it.

Me: Indeed. So, this is the one that got delayed a month. But that's also a good thing, because...

Goh: No Pokémon happening today?

Me: Nope.

Ash: All right! I can be at the festival all day!

Pikachu: Pika chu, pika! ["That's very nice!"]

Ash: So, um... I've never been here before.

Me: That's right. This one has been going on for many years, but it never worked out for us for one reason or another (including a month ago) - but now we can get to it.

Goh: Who's holding the festival?

Ash: Another place of study, much like one of our friend's.

Goh: OK, that's pretty interesting. But how was it like actually today?

Ash: They had all the stands and booths out on a big parking lot. Last time there was construction outside and a little inside, so that's why they delayed it.

Goh: I see. But won't it get hot outside?

Ash: Actually... It did, huh.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu... ["Really hot..."]

Ash: Luckily there was shade in the nearby building.

Goh: Luckily. I'd love to know how many stands there were.

Ash: Not a lot. Just a few food stands and booths for goodies.

Goh: Hmm. It doesn't sound too big to me.

Me: I have a suspicion about this, but let's continue on. As for competitions...

Ash: Hey, there's a singing one! I'm sure you want me in that.

Me: Sure! And you happen to be with your Hoenn outfit, so...

Ash: "Chiisaki Mono" it is!

Goh: Would you look at that - a chance for "redemption".

Ash: Yeah. And our friend is much better now, so we can really do it this time.

Pikachu: Chu pika! ["All right!"]

Goh: I guess we'll deal with how you did first.

Ash: I did fine. Maybe I messed up slightly? But I didn't forget anything - mostly.

Me: Well, that's OK. How many others were there?

Ash: Nine others, with three prizes.

Goh: A pretty good chance...

Ash: ...but I didn't get any of them.

Me: Huh. Well, there's always next time.

Goh: By the way, was there a character competition? Usually a festival like this would have one.

Ash: There was! A parade. But I saw only four get in, and they all looked really good, and it costs double to get in...

Me: So you probably wouldn't win, and it's more effort on my part.

Goh: Oh, OK. Good thing you tried to put your Eggs in one basket.

Pikachu: Pika, chu pika... ["Yes, a lucky break..."]

Me: The rest of the day must have had some entertainment.

Ash: Yeah, a couple of dance groups and a band, plus a dance-off.

Goh: That's still not much. So... how big is this festival really?

Ash: Well, the parking lot was big, but not a lot of people came.

Goh: Maybe our friend knows something?

Me: I heard that there were two other local festivals in the vicinity, both of which also have either singing or character competitions - at the same time as this one.

Ash: I heard that too! From your friends at the festival.

Goh: Well, I think we have the answer then. Those two "stole" visitors from this one.

Me: Yeah, I think you're spot on, Goh. It doesn't help that this is the one that got rescheduled and "ran into them".

Pikachu: Pika pika chu? ["Could be different?"]

Ash: I guess I probably would have ended up in either of them too if this wasn't around.

Me: That would likely be the case.

Ash: But I think the students did a good job after all that's happened.

Goh: Maybe you'd like to go again next year?

Ash: Sure! If our friend can make it happen.

Me: Like today, if it happens to be a "free" day, then I'll surely give it a shot for you.

Goh: That could be interesting.

Ash: Right!

Me: At that point, the festival might just stand up to its "universal" name. 

One year ago: The Electrode Volleyball in Pokémon Unite

Two years ago: Pokémon Center Merchandise Odds and Ends

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

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

Five years ago: Other Uses of the Pokémon TCG

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2020, Day 1

Seven years ago: Pokémon for Print Projects

Eight years ago: World of Pokémon... Media

Nine years ago: Videophones and Pokémon, Then and Now

The Continued Appeal of Rayquaza

Rayquaza (roughly correct pronunciation: rekweiza) is a Legendary Pokémon that is part of the land-sea-sky trio of the third generation. Of the trio, however - as well as considering the bevy of Legendary Pokémon in general - it could be considered to have the greatest appeal for fans, and furthermore, that appeal is also a lasting one by the same considerations. At this point in time, I thought I'd take out a post to discuss how that may be so for that Pokémon species as well as fans like for whom the appeal is relevant.

By many accounts, it is an inherently strong Pokémon... apart from its Dragon and Flying types that leave it quite vulnerable to the Ice type. It lives in the sky, and it protects the heavens and earth, so it has to be quite strong. Going back to that trio, it also mediates the other two - particularly given their Primal tendencies - and so the strength comes into play in that regard much like a parent with two misbehaving children. It's quite anecdotally and emblematically appropriate to the factor of that appeal for fans.

Then there is its Mega Evolution, which dedicated fans know that it comes by heart - and a piece of space debris, in addition to a special move. For those who know the lore, there is also a particular person attached to it: Zinnia, whose role could be described as a "custodian" of its Mega Evolution as seen in the post-game storyline in the remade third generation games. Speaking of which, the Mega Evolution form is fascinating, with regard to both its shape and the way that others can gain access to and take advantage of it.

Perhaps just as memorable and appealing is the myriad of its other associations. They would include the color green (its dominant body color, becoming black when Shiny), the Greek letter delta (the title of its post-game storyline and a part of its overall shape), and intense storylines (the seventh movie or feature film, as well as the first series of Mystery Dungeon games). Of course, other fans are free to ascribe other associations based on their experiences with this Pokémon, but all of these are representative of many of them.

With the way that Rayquaza is, it has a lot going for it, including the ways that it might appeal to Pokémon fans - whether certain segments of them or universally across many segments. It is also evident how the appeal and specifically the factors that contribute to that appeal have a certain lasting quality about them, with some being rather memorable and others being quite distinct identifiers of the Pokémon. Rayquaza itself will certainly continue to roam and protect the sky as its home, while those on land (and sea) will have their attachments to it.

One year ago: The Past, Present, and Future of Pokémon Animation

Two years ago: Pokémon with Backgrounds in Pokémon Go

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic... Repeat, 7/23/2023

Four years ago: Cosplay: SUCOFEST 2022 - Multiverse

Five years ago: More Pokémon Fun with Soccer Players

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

Seven years ago: Making Things Simple

Eight years ago: The Greatest, Everyday

Nine years ago: Pokémon School

Pokémon Research in Pokémon Unite

Stepping back from the "turmoil" I discussed for the fifth anniversary of Pokémon Unite, one of the game's more recent aspects is something that deserves discussion. It's an event framework that essentially builds upon one I discussed just over a year ago, which since then has also applied to non-Legendary Pokémon. The new framework, which I call "Pokémon Research", becomes another novel way for players to obtain Unite Licenses as certain Pokémon enters.

With this framework, players collect research "tokens" that when used, they fill a gauge with item rewards, for which the last item is the Unite License for the Pokémon. To collect research "tokens", players complete missions that award one "token" each, which comprise Daily Missions (new tasks each day, one of them is a simple login one), Weekly Missions (new tasks each week, updated Mondays as with Battle Pass tasks), and Special Missions (one-and-done tasks for the event). It's definitely more task-based than the other framework but the ultimate goal remains the same, being to earn that Unite License during the event if possible.

Because of the task requirements, the framework can be a bit burdensome, especially since the "tokens" can only be collected by the framework, and that some tasks - notably Daily Missions - are tougher than they seem. For that, as with the other framework, Aeos Gems can be used to alleviate the burden: an individual task can be cleared for just a meager 5 Gems, while the whole gauge can be filled with a good number of them, depending on how far along a player is. This, of course, should be considered as a last resort if a player missed several days.

Now, I was about to call this "Legendary Research", but then I'm reminded that it has been similarly used for Mega Evolution Unite Licenses, thereby making it not-so-Legendary. Furthermore, the "research" bit is also a bit of a misnomer, as the framework can also appear with it being applied as "training" instead of "research" for both Legendary Pokémon and others. Like the other framework, the application potential of this to certain Pokémon is diverse, although it has only become strongly connected with some strong examples.

Different ways of getting certain Pokémon as Unite Licenses in Pokémon Unite at the least keeps some of the game engaging, amidst all the "turmoil" it currently faces. The "Pokémon Research" framework satisfies a need for that, and its task-based approach remains wide open to however way one plays the game. And "play" is exactly what one needs to do to keep up one's progress in this particular game and keep it relevant with all its new and old things.

One year ago: Making a Difference: Pokémon Presents, 7/22/2025

Two years ago: Seventh Anniversary of My Raid Group

Three years ago: Cosplay: Shokumatsu

Four years ago: Respect for Zeno Robinson

Five years ago: More on Ideal Raid Lengths

Six years ago: The State of Nominations, Part 5

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

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

Nine years ago: Cosplay in a Bag

Pokémon Unite 5th Anniversary

As with past years, I'm covering the anniversary of Pokémon Unite on this day. This year's anniversary also happens to be a bit of a special or notable one, as it is its fifth anniversary - a half-decade of its presence. That said, the special quality seems to be less evident recently, and in lieu of that, there is what could be called "turmoil" instead, which implies quite a bit of not-so-good things. Yet there are still good things to speak of, so for this anniversary, I would like to discuss that "turmoil" in both of the sides that it presents.

The greatest "turmoil" would be the elimination of one of its main currencies and its partial conversion to a system that may or may not afford a lot of freedom in its elements. In fact, the deadline for converting that currency has recently passed, and players may or may not have gotten all that they can from the conversion and subsequent dealings with the new system. After this many years with the game, it may not necessarily be what players need, even if they can deal with the new system just fine and the intricacies of the game after.

Meanwhile, the continued competitive presence of the game presents a "turmoil" in and of itself, but it seems that the "turmoil" might go deeper, given the state of the game. I've already outlined all the concerns about that a month ago, but it bears reminding and repeating. In this fifth year of the game, those concerns still need to be paid attention to, even as the game continues to "make it" - and hopefully not "break it" somehow.

On the good side of the "turmoil", the anniversary event is (or has been) in full swing, and it offers the usual bonuses and brings about a different kind of "turmoil": one of a Legendary kind. A bunch of Legendary Pokémon are joining the game, not as "pit bosses", but as actual playable Pokémon; two have already done so, and two more are incoming. Whether or not that's a sign of more impending "turmoil", that may be up to the players to determine.

Half a decade is not a very long time, but it isn't short either. In that span of time, Pokémon Unite has demonstrated its capacity for a novel kind of Pokémon battling and competitive spirit. It makes for a good "turmoil", even if that is marred by the not-so-good aspects. The hope is always that everything will resolve, as is the case with matches here.

Even now, some of that "turmoil" is still felt in some way. For now, happy fifth anniversary to Pokémon Unite.

One year ago: Pokémon Unite 4^th Anniversary

Two years ago: Pokémon Unite 3^rd Anniversary

Three years ago: Pokémon Unite 2^nd Anniversary

Four years ago: Pokémon Unite One-Year Anniversary

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

Six years ago: Getting Crafty for Go Fest

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

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

Nine years ago: Cosplay in a Bag

Interface Skins for Pokémon Go??

If Pokémon Go is always looking for new features to improve the overall gameplay experience (and possibly to milk money out of players or Trainers), then I've got a good one, which then becomes the subject of this post. Some applications or games are known to be able to have different appearances for different users, which can be accomplished through the feature of "interface skins". Certainly, that is not something that's currently present in Pokémon Go, so now it's something I'm throwing out for its execution and possible related ideas.

The idea for this feature came about from the recent interface glitches of Pokémon Go, which at one point in time I've experienced (perhaps others as well) as a different image replacing the background of the capture summary dialog. At that time, it happened to be a wood texture, and it fit almost perfectly with the dialog, apart from sizing and the effect it had on the dialog text. This happy accident actually worked well, even though it had some flaws as it manifested, and brought about the idea that I'm now explaining in this post.

Were the idea to be implemented, some things would certainly need to be considered or even changed. Readability of text is a concern, especially given the above experience (where the wood texture was dark and made the text darker), so perhaps it would be best to stick to lighter "skins". Then, drawing routines would have to be modified to accommodate the "skins" and make sure they mesh well with the current interface, and that's a lot to consider - as well as potentially prone to even more glitches, if the game's development is of any indication.

As for the possible "skins", Pikachu and Poké Ball motifs are the most obvious ones and need to be included somehow. Given the above, environmental and adventuring motifs are quite possible as well - ones that represent the land, sea, and sky, as examples. This then leads to tie-ins with Pokémon types, possibly one for each type, but Grass, Fire, and Water as "basic" ones would be prime. Finally, for the "milking money" aspect, some "premium" and ornate skins could be considered for special occasions or immediate purchase.

Sometimes a fault can lead to some interesting ideas, and the idea of "interface skins" for Pokémon Go is one that arose from one such fault as explained above. Implementing the idea is another matter entirely, with all of the above concerns and suggestions being valid. Still, it doesn't seem to be half bad, and the feature - if it were implemented - would be a nice visual touch and possibly another opportunity to rake in some cash from players or Trainers. At any rate, the game and its gameplay experience could really benefit in more ways than one.

One year ago: Cosplay: Seishun! Japan Fest 2025 "Vol. 2"

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/21/2024

Three years ago: The Andotrope for Pokémon

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

Five years ago: Kicking Up the Cards

Six years ago: In and Out of Patterns

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Japanese World 2019

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

Nine years ago: My Favorite LINE Pokémon Stickers So Far

On the Times Square Mewtwo (Event)

As a part of the promotion for this year's Pokémon Go Fest (in a sense), a special event that was could be attended only by invitation was held at Times Square in New York City. The one-off event involved a mass raid for Mewtwo with similar execution as the ones in the regional Go Fest editions (and a particular instance to be detailed soon), and the Mewtwo obtained from the event is very, very special - so special, in fact, that it has generated a discourse of its own, which means that it's also fitting to generate a writeup on this blog.

What makes said Mewtwo special is that it is a guaranteed "hundo" (perfect, with the best stats possible) with a location background - although a lucky few will get a "shundo" with it being Shiny. That special quality is a big part of the discourse, and a controversial one at that, since those who were invited essentially got it with no effort - aside from getting there and taking part in the first place - while the rest of the player base struggle with their chances for all three of its particular aspects as above, which does seem quite unfair for them.

In fact, some of said Mewtwo are now being attempted to be distributed in unsavory ways - not to be mentioned here - and the more emotional of players or Trainers are feeling less motivated to play. They're certainly consequences of the special one-off event and its ultimate reward, for which if it hadn't been instituted, the ones who were invited might feel it's unfair for them with the state of the world today and the effort they expend in order to get to the event. It can be seen that there are several sides to the story, both good and bad.

Certainly, the reason for going through all this is to replicate - or to be more precise, realize or put into actual manifestation - a scene in the very first trailer for the game itself, for which without it, the game wouldn't have become embedded in the Pokémon fandom as well as in general conscience. This is another good side to the story, even if on the other hand the experience for the game has not been rosy in many of its happenings, which is certainly part of the less-than-stellar side of it. Much then could depend on specific player regards. 

On that matter, it has been discovered that the raids (Mega Mewtwo or otherwise) for the second day of the Global edition of Pokémon Go Fest experienced problems for many around the world - even for some close to me - so they will be repeated this coming Sunday. Some have posited that they might as well be compensated with an additional Mewtwo encounter as an analogue of the Times Square event; although this won't be the case, it still shows that many still have their impressions of said event and ultimate reward, however distant they are.

The Times Square event for Mewtwo and Pokémon Go Fest in general is still impressive in its gathering power and reward, even though the controversy that it generates is also just as impressive, and especially so for those who didn't participate in it. There's something to be understood about it for everyone in connection to it, and it could serve as an example of what can and can't be done for future Pokémon Go events, particularly those with a promotional nature. They all will still need to tow the fine line of experiences of those who play the game.

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 7/20/2025

Two years ago: Taking the "Pokémon Challenge"

Three years ago: Performance Critique: Mezase Pokémon Master feat. Otaku (Redux)

Four years ago: Possible New Research Tasks?

Five years ago: Bridging Myst and Pokémon Fans

Six years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - Animated Special

Seven years ago: Seeing the World with Go

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

Nine years ago: On Pokémon Promotional Toys

Cosplay: Wibufest Cosplay Competition

Me: Now here's something to liven up this weekend... I hope.

Goh: Well, it's a character [OOC: cosplay] thing. So of course you're sending Ash.

Ash: I'm on it!

Goh: And it's a competition too, obviously. You will be putting Ash in that, right?

Me: Actually, it's not just characters. There's a singing one too.

Ash: Sure, why not.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Good thing."]

Goh: And what do you want Ash to sing?

Me: Well, since it seems no-holds-barred... let's go with "Chiisaki Mono".

Ash: Ah! Well, I'll put on my Hoenn outfit, then.

Me: You got it.

Goh: So, what's the place like?

Ash: It's a cafe! But they set it up like a festival on the second floor.

Goh: Very neat. And of course everything happened there.

Ash: Yeah! But, uh... I think our friend still has a bit of a "tired" problem.

Me: I'm really sorry. I thought I'd overcome it by now. I hope you did all that you can.

Ash: I did. It might sound a little off, but it's still true to the song.

Pikachu: Pika chu... ["Pity..."]

Goh: You did try to resolve it yourself, did you?

Me: I did all I can myself. [sigh] Well, if you want, you can take part in the character competition.

Ash: I got into the character parade... I think. I was given a number for that.

Goh: Was there something else?

Ash: There seems to be a "street competition".

Me: Oh, but you had to sign up regardless. Hmm.

Goh: Huh. And I guess the parade happened way later on.

Ash: Early evening! But...

Me: What now?

Ash: I almost didn't get called! But then a friend of our friend saved us.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu? ["How'd that happen?"]

Goh: Maybe they put you on the "street competition" and gave the wrong label?

Me: That's possible - even intentionally.

Goh: Seeing that there are two competitions, anything is possible.

Ash: Yeah, even for the singing one. 

Goh: How'd you do with that?

Ash: No go. Only three winners and there were some real good ones in the 18 who were in it. 

Me: So we may never have had a chance. Although I'm still frustrated that things turned out the way they did for me.

Goh: I'm sure you'll want to make it up.

Me: Absolutely.

Ash: Maybe the place was frustrated as well? The power kept going out.

Pikachu: Pika... pika chu! ["It just went... zap!"]

Goh: Oh. That too is frustrating.

Ash: And the winners of all competitions had to deal with other things too?

Me: OK, so maybe it's not so bad not winning. I guess we're all dodging bullets (and seeds) here.

Ash: I'd say we all need to get things going.

 

Me: True that. I hope that'll be the case for whatever's next time.

Goh: There's always one. 

Me: There always is.

One year ago: On the Live Service Aspect of Pokémon Games

Two years ago: Of Leeks, Ducks, and Horses

Three years ago: Remaking My Pokémon Papercraft Models?

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

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

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

Seven years ago: The First Johto Saga English Opening Theme

Eight years ago: Fast Moves and Charged Moves

Nine years ago: Movie Times

Speedrunning Features

Many Pokémon games have lots of features that add bulk to the games and give outlets of aspirations for players (Trainers, partially depending on the game) to work on and pursue. Not surprisingly, it is also that "bulk" that makes things hard for them, with particular regard of dealing with them - with speed, no less. With that, I had a thought about the specific concern of making "speedruns" with them in more than one respect, and I've decided to try to write a little something about that... perhaps in a bit of a speedy manner as well.

In one sense, the "speedrunning" is for testing through them - which many should so that others don't have to, and especially so if the player is marked for beta testing as with the case sometimes in Pokémon Go. Even if testing isn't a concern (or more specifically, is already done), it may be that they're needed for certain purposes that players need, for example leveling up (Pokémon Go) or facilitating Pokémon transfers (with relation to the main series). In that case, speed may be of some absolute importance for getting things done.

Outside of the games, there may be the need to understand the features quickly, whether that would be for personal needs or the need of sharing that understanding with others. The latter evidently can take many forms from the verbal to the visual, perhaps including what you're reading right now. The speed may also be relative, depending on the Pokémon game and the relevant player base, but if the need for speed presents itself, then the players in the player base can and do have a way of making it happen - a bit of comfort and motivation.

Speed may or may not be a necessary aspect of the features in question for the Pokémon games, but the concern of "speedrunning" through the features may be something that makes itself necessary according to the player bases of the games and what the aims of that "speed run" may be. Given the "bulk" of the games, which may be a partial result of the features in question, there could also be the need to downplay that bulk and allow the players in the player base to pursue and work on more aspirations than ever before with a "speed run".

Now, I think I've got a bit of feature "speedrunning" to do in my own (Pokémon) case...

One year ago: Dreaming of "The Chase"

Two years ago: (More on) The Funko Pop! Figures

Three years ago: Translation Issues in Café Remix?

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

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Day 2

Six years ago: Team GO Rocket's Aerial Attacks

Seven years ago: The State of Nominations

Eight years ago: The Eevee Identity

Nine years ago: Only One Save File

A Tale of Some Psychic Pokémon, Part 2

I'm still in the mood to bring back a discussion topic from the past year, so now I've chosen this one. At that time, I brought up some Pokémon of the Psychic type and a "tale" involving them. Well, that tale has continued to the present day, although with a few twists and turns along the way. It's still a neat "tale" to be told in Pokémon terms, so given that it has come to my recollection, I have to tell (or retell) its continuance.

Now, those Pokémon (Gallade, Mr. Mime, and Gardevoir) are still around, but not as frequently as they used to be, becoming only once a week now. For some time, even only Mr. Mime was present, and the Gardevoir was of different ones - meaning, not the same individual. It made for a different "peering" experience with them in their own ways, especially with the more "errant" Mr. Mime - until the Gallade came back.

Speaking of "peering", there is still the process of taking things and punching them up, along with adding the sound of a Mightyena, but things certainly now have changed. For example, there is a greater emphasis on things that apply as a "general interest", ones that other Pokémon will certainly be able to relate to. Beyond that, they'll have to work with both and old new constraints in all the "peering" they do.

For all that they do, however, they also still only seemingly attract the same old, same old crowd. Yet they also know that they have many Pokémon (and maybe people) who become their followers. Their next step, then, would be to gather up all those followers and have a grand old time, much like certain mass meetings of Pokémon species. Realizing that would be a big step in their "peering" efforts to reach more lives.

A tale like the one told by the three Psychic type Pokémon is one that they'll keep telling according to what they do, the "peering". That tale has evidently continued for another year, and it took a fascinating turn for the ones involved. It also might still remain a "stretch", something I mentioned last year, but if their "peering" has a way, then their presence has a will - whether or not that's described in Pokémon terms.

One year ago: Quickies: The Fancy of Pokémon Leaves

Two years ago: Alternative Communities for Pokémon Fans

Three years ago: Contemporary Issues with Pokémon Games

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

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2021, Day 1

Six years ago: Catch Me If...

Seven years ago: The First Johto Saga Japanese Opening Theme

Eight years ago: Rearranged Pokémon Music

Nine years ago: How Far Do People Know Pokémon?

Changing Event (Elements) in TCGP

Also about a year ago, I had written up about some event types that are commonly found in the TCGP implementation for the Pokémon TCG. As can be expected, things can and do have a way of changing within the span of a year, and change has come to those events, whether in their particulars or in their general overall form. Because of that, I thought it would be a good idea to give a heads-up on a few things that have changed with regard to those events.

First up, there is a new kind of event, which is called Community Week. The event focuses on completing missions of social interactions, which means sharing cards and trading cards with those who may need them - and giving "thanks" in return if one received the courtesy, as well as registering (making) friends with others if possible. The rewards are mostly centered around hourglasses, but these are certainly still worthy to get as with anything that has them.

Then there are changes to the previously mentioned events. The event shops of the Wonder Pick events have been eliminated, and now players only need to keep making Wonder Picks to earn the accessories through mission completions, as well as a couple copies of the cards in case one still isn't lucky enough with them. Meanwhile, the Card Drop events now have more missions that reward packs by simply battling, so less skilled players can have a chance; the earned packs can now also be opened all at once instead of individually as it was before.

One of the events I mentioned earlier (Mass Outbreak), however, has been absent for some time, and that is an apparent marker of its demise. It seems that it may not be needed any longer, given how current expansions work, and players may prefer the freedom of regular Wonder Picks and pack openings instead. It still had good outcomes while it lasted.

Change is a given for long periods of time, like in the time after I wrote up about common events in TCGP up to now. Indeed, in that time, some of the elements of the events (or the events themselves) changed. Hopefully, those changes may have to be considered to be for the better, and the improvements to the events serve not only as a way of reflecting the advancement of the game but also taking things beyond a certain realm of commonality.

One year ago: Café Remix Delivery Disillusionment

Two years ago: Let's Go Make Some Fusions

Three years ago: Cosplay: Onokatsu Japanese Festival

Four years ago: Cosplay: Community Base Party

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

Six years ago: Starting from Somewhere

Seven years ago: Pokémon Go Version 1?

Eight years ago: Daily Tasks

Nine years ago: Flying Quirks of Charizard

Welcome to Scopely Explore

It is known that since last year, Pokémon Go and a few other games under the Niantic Games banner were put up for sale, and the buyer is Scopely, a games company with a somewhat different history of its own. The games then entered a transition period with the new "suitor", and now the "apex" of that transition period is at hand with the games finally shedding their former Niantic (Games) branding for one under the Scopely name. This post serves to discuss that new branding, and in particular to how it applies for Pokémon Go.

The new branding is called Scopely Explore, which is certainly a nod to how its games make people go out in the real world; it also harmoniously agrees with the Niantic Spatial branding in cadence for games that didn't go to Scopely (as Ingress). Now, Scopely has a "folded S" logo; this also becomes reflected in the Explore branding, where the letter X becomes (or more appropriately, resembles) a folded paper crane. The spirit of the branding then appears to be quite appropriately placed, especially with Pokémon (Go) as a concern.

Speaking of which, the Pokémon Go web site has replaced mentions of Niantic Games on its web site with Scopely Explore, particularly on its Community page that I highlighted along with the standards for its leaders. The game too has replaced the old Niantic logo on its splash screen with the Scopely Explore logo, but this has been made smaller to make way for the game's 10th anniversary logo... which also marks the first time ever that the game's logo is present on that very screen, something that never happened with Niantic.

Even with this change, the Pokémon Go team - as well as their objectives of delivering a great experience - are to stay the same, at least as elucidated by the transition news update. Still, it cannot be doubted that a lot of changes and happenings have occurred within that time, many great and others not so great in terms of both execution and perception. The challenge for the team now, and based on what has transpired, is to prove that the above can happen even with them being "under new management" - yet again, as I had mentioned.

Now, that new management has fully revealed its guise, perhaps with somewhat appropriate timing, given that this is a big anniversary year for both Pokémon in general and Pokémon Go itself. With the core idea ("explore") embedded in the title of that new management entity, it is hoped that they won't stray too far off that idea; yet in some ways, "stray" is indeed what some explorers (and Pokémon Trainers) may need to do to achieve some of their objectives, and  Scopely Explore will have to weigh that in for the good of Pokémon Go.

One year ago: Common Event Types in TCGP

Two years ago: The Pokémon Go Fest Experience... with Ash in Tow

Three years ago: The (Master) Magnet Man

Four years ago: My Nintendo Rewards - Pokémon Wallpapers

Five years ago: Professor Willow Goes to the TCG

Six years ago: More on Remote Raids

Seven years ago: The Switch Lite

Eight years ago: Mew @ Everywhere

Nine years ago: What Kind of Pokémon Are You?

On Freedom, Equality, and Brotherhood

Today is... well, actually, a special day in a certain part of the world. But it's not that relevant to me, aside from someone who shares their birthday with the day, whom I mentioned way back when I started this blog (see below, nine years ago). Yet there's something to be said about the special day, so I've decided to make a one-off post about it and certainly bring Pokémon to the table alongside the special day in question.

Now, said special day is very much linked to three aspects (or perhaps they could also be said to be "qualities"). All three of them are mentioned in the title of this post and will become a part of the discussion shortly. In this case, I've also put them in a more "diverse" form, since the "parallel" form is best reserved for those with direct links to them... and I don't. The only direct link I have is with Pokémon, and that becomes the secondary "core" of the discussion.

For those aspects or "qualities", the first is or should be familiar to those who are able to pursue their good and best life objectives without being restrained - except where it might be needed, certainly. Pokémon Trainers have a lot of freedom in their world to pursue their objectives under a similar state of affairs. What is clear is that regardless, freedom is valued and there is benefit in it for the people, which then can extend to those linked to Pokémon.

As for equality, there is a beauty (and necessity) in being able to regard fellow people in equal stature in all relevant social situations. That has to be the way for Pokémon Trainers as well, and that is in fact the case before and after they meet for battle. Outside of battling, social situations in both the real and Pokémon worlds are quite varied, and they also warrant equal stature for the people involved in them - as well as Pokémon species when relevant.

Brotherhood, the last aspect, is surely one that many people in general will be able to relate to. It would warrant maintaining good linkages... especially when Pokémon battles come into the light with all their tensions before and after. Indeed, tensions always arise whether it's the real or Pokémon world, so having the prerogative to keep good relationships is something that is quite worth it, and Pokémon has a lot of that going on as well beyond all the battles.

If the above is of any indication, the three aspects or "qualities" are actually quite universal - even for Pokémon - aside from its relation to that certain part of the world, which becomes relevant today. It will likely be the only time I'll address the particularly special day and its related specifics, but the relevance will remain somehow as I continue to address Pokémon matters on this day and further beyond that.

One year ago: A Tale of Some Psychic Pokémon

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2024 (Global), Day 2

Three years ago: The Single-Type Cup of GBL

Four years ago: Forest Bathing with Pokémon

Five years ago: Redeeming Offer Codes in Pokémon Go

Six years ago: Miss You, Brandon

Seven years ago: Cosplay: COSTHNIFEST

Eight years ago: Spending on Pokémon

Nine years ago: A Pokémon Forum Persona

Cosplay: MCP Coshow

Me: OK, Go Fest is a wrap (for now), so it's time to deal with something we skipped over.

Goh: Well, it was a character thing, of course. Like this and this?

Me: Yeah.

Ash: It's neat that it happened after Go Fest... or I think that made its way a bit into this one.

Goh: Looking at the schedule, I'd say that's true.

Ash: But I got there just after things really got going, so I didn't miss much.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Good thing."]

Goh: OK... and I'm sure Bocchi Noizu was involved somehow.

Ash: Yeah! They brought their usual games, and some people won big prizes. They say it never happened before.

Goh: Well, that's the big difference, isn't it? Just like Mewtwo for Go Fest.

Me: I'm sure it is. 

Ash: I think we got it.

Goh: Then there must have been the usual entertainment if they're involved.

Ash: You bet! A singer, a dancer, and a dance group.

Pikachu: Pika... pika pika. ["Yeah... the usual."]

Goh: And then there was you, and other characters. A character parade, right? 

Ash: Right! Our friend sent me with the Kanto-Johto outfit.

Me: Obviously because of the Go Fest thing.

Goh: Makes sense. But you know, people see you quite often with it, in it. Don't you think you ought to have made it different?

Ash: I did! That's what a character friend of us tells me to do.

Me: And how'd that happen?

Ash: I Mega Evolved Mewtwo into its X form in front of everyone! 

Goh: Wow!!

Pikachu: Pika chu!! ["Awesome!!"]

Me: And I know you did great with that, because you got...

Ash: Bocchi Noizu favorite! 

Goh: That's pretty nice. 

Ash: But it was a little tiring too. I think our friend...

Me: Um, well... [clears throat] 

Goh: [to Me] Maybe you could try to take it a little easier?

Me: Let me see what I can do. [to all] Anyway, this was a show and a half.

Ash: It was really a show! But... a half?

Pikachu: Pika chu? ["Really?"]

Me: Well, I think I might need to find another one-half somewhere else.

Goh: Like I just said.

Ash: And don't stress yourself out.

Me: I won't. (Although, sometimes Pokémon things can be that way...)

One year ago: Respect for James Carter Cathcart... in Memoriam

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Fest 2024 (Global), Day 1

Three years ago: The Pokérus and Its Importance

Four years ago: Good Pokémon Cosplay Relationships

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

Six years ago: Giving the Gift of Pokémon GIFs

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

Eight years ago: Losing and Finding Links

Nine years ago: Strategy Guides and My Pokémon Experience

Pokémon Go Fest 2026 (Global), Day 2

Now it's Day 2 of this grand annual event for Pokémon Go, and as I've said previously, I hadn't quite explained all of it. The rest of the explanations are then in order for today, along with the similarities and differences as I had noted - which are expected, but they're also highly so for this year. It's a lot to take in, deal with, and write about... and sometimes it may present a problem with other problems I've got going. But I carry on, and Go Fest carries on.

Like yesterday, there is Mega-Evolved Mewtwo to raid, this time in its Y form. Something that I didn't mention yesterday is that there is a special move for it when caught from the raids: today is Psystrike (a Charged move) while yesterday was Counter (a Fast move), befitting their dominant types. They also may have special backgrounds when they are caught, as well as Mega levels already unlocked. Regardless, today it still takes the same number of Trainers (10) to take its shield and itself down. Type features and habitats for Pokémon in the wild and other raids continue, but with new ones (Earthforged Domain - Steel, Ground, Normal; Verdant Anomaly - Poison, Bug, Grass; Twilight Battlefield - Dark, Fairy, Fighting) to make it an all-inclusive event that is worthy of its current status as a major annual one.

Understandably, there are still other niceties and aspects for this edition. Both Incense and Lure Modules are extended for catching purposes, and so is Party Play. Global Challenges also take place each hour (as with past years) to keep Trainers in the loop - and reward them after they're complete, furthermore later on after Go Fest. For raids, everyone gets nine free passes each day to start so they can get some raid effort in without payment. Trades also get the benefit of more Special Trades and discounts for them, much like Community Day with similar incentives for getting people together, if raids aren't already an incentive. Finally, there are also greater Shiny chances for different Pokémon, even if it's still, well... a chance.

What makes a difference for this year's edition, even with some sameness as in previous years, is that the event is essentially free with no paid ticket for itself as a whole - aside from buying the necessities for raids (premium and/or remote passes) and the Deluxe track of the Go Pass, again to be detailed later. The reason, certainly, is this year's big Pokémon anniversary, for which everyone - even in Pokémon Go - has to be able to enjoy things to the fullest, without cost if need be. That's something that every Pokémon fan should be able to appreciate, however they belong in the realm of Pokémon Go and ecosystem of Pokémon as a whole.

Evidently, that applies to me, as for this day, I chose to deal with things with the faraway community for reasons of solidarity and general enjoyment. Again, things mostly focused on raiding for Mewtwo, but I did capture other Pokémon and complete other tasks in between all the raids - and try my luck on another giveaway that I also missed this time. It was still a better day than without, and after getting all the pickings from this day and the previous day, now I have a lot of things to work with for my purposes... as well as interested others.

Years have passed for Pokémon in general and Pokémon Go in particular, and they can and do have special merriment when they are warranted, like for their decadal anniversaries (of which this year is one for them). With that, the current Pokémon Go Fest is rightly and truly a spectacle to look into and fight it out, just like Mewtwo and its Mega Evolution forms.

One year ago: Getting Irked by Bugs in TCGL

Two years ago: Current Quibbles with Dracoviz

Three years ago: The Final Stretch: Silph Arena's Last Championships

Four years ago: Common Event Mechanisms in Pokémon Unite

Five years ago: Collaboration for Pokémon

Six years ago: YouTube Pokémon Highlights - GabaLeth Edition

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

Eight years ago: Exploring Dual Types

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

Pokémon Go Fest 2026 (Global), Day 1

The time has come to explain about the Global edition of Pokémon Go Fest, which as I've previewed will take place today and tomorrow. It also will deal with how I took care of things today, but that's for later. Right now, I can also say that a lot of the gameplay aspects will be quite similar as they will be quite different, so I'm going to run with that theme over these two days. Then, there's the theme of "all aces awakening" as previewed, and that also needs to be dealt with to see how it actually manifests.

So, the true "ace" boss of this year is that supreme Psychic-type Legendary Pokémon, which would be the one and only Mewtwo. It becomes even more of an "ace" in that this year's festivities - first in the earlier regional editions for select Trainers and now in the Global edition for everyone - serves as a debut of its Mega Evolution forms, both X and Y. Today for the Global edition, there is the X form awaiting in Super Mega Raid format that requires at least 10 Trainers with Mega-Evolved Pokémon to break its shield and become real "aces".

As for other "ace" bosses, they are also present in raids, being Legendary and certain Mythical Pokémon of various types, along with a selection of regular Mega raids. In fact, they're structured according to type and habitats as with past editions of Go Fest: today, there are three such habitats with type representations (Stormfire Peaks - Ice, Electric, Fire; Astral Tides - Ghost, Psychic, Water; Dragonflight Summit - Dragon, Flying, Rock) spanning an hour for each represented type, which explains why the event hours for this edition are from 10 AM to 7 PM. Tomorrow will be similar in many ways regarding this, but I'm getting ahead of myself; there will be more on this and other similarities and differences when that day comes.

Outside of raids, during each hour for each type, Pokémon of those types appear, which can be caught to elevate the rank of the Go Pass from its accompanying event (to be detailed later) by hourly tasks. There are also the Kanto first partners with Pikachu visors, as well as Pikachu with team caps, the latter also found by photo bombs and through the Go Pass. By activating Incense, Unown of all forms can also appear and be caught, as well as the regional species of Bouffalant and Tropius; the latter two also appear in 10 km Eggs along with a few other strong and rare species. They become additional "aces" for collection and other purposes.

Research is always involved, certainly. Field tasks reward niceties for Mewtwo (extra Mega Energy) and a few encounters with other Pokémon, while a Timed set is dedicated to pursuing Mewtwo and one of its Mega-Evolved forms; a Special set, meanwhile, is dedicated to the pursuit of Zeraora, a Mythical Pokémon from Alola, which also makes its debut alongside the Mega Evolution of Mewtwo as the above. It's not a "Masterwork" set unlike most other Mythical Pokémon that debut in this manner, but it still does take some effort to complete - although as always, since it's not Timed, there is a lot more freedom to complete it.

For my case today, I spent the morning mostly raiding for Mewtwo; in the gaps between the raids, I also took care of Research tasks as per the above, knowing that it's also better to get them done and keep me stimulated. This took place locally - as much as it pains me - in part for other goings-on that took place after the raids and more; for that I also sent someone near and dear to me, if only to make things right.

Me: Isn't that right?

Ash: I love the Kanto theme of this one! And Mewtwo too.

Goh: I do too. OK, so you've got Ash, so there must definitely be something.

Ash: Uh-huh, and it's all the same, but it's always great!

Pikachu: Pika! ["Yup!"]

Goh: I'll betcha we'll all deal with this after Go Fest ends.

Me: Sure. It's a big thing, especially now.

It can be said that this edition of Pokémon Go is the biggest and most important yet, and I've actually yet to cover all of its points. Fortunately, as with every year, this one is a two-day event, and the rest of the points - along with more (and evident) similarities and differences - will be covered along with a note of my experience. This first day is only the start of the true "awakening", and things will surely rise after.

One year ago: Next Targets for the Pokédex Plush Dolls

Two years ago: Quickies: Comparatives and Superlatives

Three years ago: My Mental Health with Pokémon

Four years ago: All the Silph Arena Themed Cups Prior

Five years ago: Travel to Atlantis

Six years ago: Reminiscing More of My Early Days with Go

Seven years ago: A T-Shirt for One's Journey

Eight years ago: The Wonders of Weather in Go

Nine years ago: Going Back to the NDS