Tuesday, July 21, 2026

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.

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Monday, July 20, 2026

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.

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Sunday, July 19, 2026

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.

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Saturday, July 18, 2026

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...

Seven years ago: The State of Nominations
Eight years ago: The Eevee Identity
Nine years ago: Only One Save File
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Friday, July 17, 2026

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.

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Thursday, July 16, 2026

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.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2026

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.

Three years ago: The (Master) Magnet Man
Six years ago: More on Remote Raids
Seven years ago: The Switch Lite
Eight years ago: Mew @ Everywhere
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