Monday, September 14, 2026

Mediocre with Niantic, Downgraded with Scopely?

Many of those who play Pokémon Go will recognize that the game has had its highs and lows during the Niantic Games era, which in a way averages out to make a mediocre experience - which some players could attest. After the sale of Niantic Games to Scopely, becoming Scopely Explore under it, there were still the same highs and lows... yet there seems to be some more of the latter by way of the new party's control. As a result, some players have construed the experience as being "downgraded", and I'd like to discuss that.

One way that the "downgrade" has actually happened is the most recent reduction of Team Go Rocket balloons from four a day (every six hours) to just one, forcing Trainers to scout areas for grunts and leaders, which is already hard with their low frequency and can be even harder for those in rural areas with few PokéStops. In any case, it is a "downgrade" because the previous standard of four is, well... a standard, offering a modest experience amidst the mediocrity of still having to scout for Team Go Rocket PokéStops for more battle chances.

Then, the gaffes that occur with Niantic Games still occur under Scopely Explore, similarly even though the circumstances are different. The most recent one is the forced makeup of the second day of Go Fest Global, specifically with regard to raids; raid events needing to be made up has happened before and from time to time, but if they keep happening, there may be something to be said about the game's handling of the feature, then and now. Also, other features may still glitch up occasionally.

If there is something to be gained from the situation, it is that the sale of Niantic Games to Scopely does not necessarily solve all problems that may, have, or will come up. In addition, the changes like the big one mentioned above shows that the "heavy-handedness" of Scopely itself that I had previously mentioned in discussing the sale is starting to creep in, becoming a manifestation of the concerns also previously outlined. That could become a disincentive for those already playing or even coming back to play.

Even with the problems that plague it (at least, from time to time), Pokémon Go is still a good game, just hampered by the arcane developments it had to go through and more recently the sale to another "suitor". That may be what reflects its mediocrity as has been evident all throughout the Niantic Games era. Now that the era has turned over to Scopely, the challenge becomes how to maintain the existing player base and rake in both inactive and new players alike while upgrading profits while not "downgrading" things further.

Three years ago: Watch What I Say
Four years ago: Into the Deep Blue
Five years ago: Dancing with Pokémon
Seven years ago: The Appeal of the TCG
Eight years ago: A Pokémon Watch
Nine years ago: Three's Demise
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Sunday, September 13, 2026

Cosplay: MCP Coshow 2 & Foodtopia Season 5

Goh: Yeah, that's expected. So, another "twofer" this weekend?

Me: Yup, yesterday and today. That was the thing after Community Day yesterday and all day today.

Ash: And both of them with me in my Kalos outfit! ...I guess it's to make things easy for all of us.

Pikachu: Pika chu! ["Very easy!"]

Me: That would certainly be the point. 

Goh: And we're familiar with both of them because one was earlier this year...


Me: Good recall. For that, I also thought of combining both into a single discussion (and since Community Day was yesterday anyhow). So, let's start with the first one. 

Goh: That one was yesterday, I'll bet.

Ash: It was! At the same place, obviously.

Goh: With the same people?

Ash: Sure! But they did bring in a game community - not for us, but you get the drift.

Goh: But beyond that, the entertainment had to be practically the same.

Ash: Dance groups, singers, and games. I saw pretty much the main ones.

Pikachu: Pika pika pika... ["All still the same..."]

Goh: Well, I'm sure the character parade is also still the same, and you got into it.

Ash: No strings attached, so yeah. But I did try to make things different. I started with my cap and gloves off this time and put them on when it happened.

Goh: OK, yeah, that's different all right. Was it enough to get something?

Ash: Yeah! I got Favorite Male Character!

Me: Very nice! The effort can really work out sometimes.

Goh: That is great. And you had a good time at the place with your friends.

Ash: I did.

Me: Then that brings us to the second one, which was today and should be the same old food festival trying to bring in people.

Ash: Same place, same people, and all that. But I did come when there was a cheerleading competition before our stuff began.

Goh: So the festival brings in all kinds of organizers for different things.

Me: Goh is right. This seems to be the methodology for all kinds of festivals here for bringing in people.

Pikachu: Chu! Pika! [imitates cheering]

Goh: Can't blame them for trying. OK, so this time, did you try any of the food? I don't think we talked about that much in any of the past years. 

Ash: Well, back then it was only little bits of things, but this time I got to try quite a bit of things - enough for lunch and dinner. They always have a lot of things going on.

Goh: I would think. But then that also goes for our festival.

Ash: Just some dance groups this time, along with the character parade.

Me: Speaking of which... since you dealt with food, you didn't deal with that.

Ash: No - I thought it could be like three years ago when I came with the same outfit, so I spent the day eating and talking with your friends.

Me: Well, I think that's a good call. I'm sure the winners were "just that".

Ash: Um... yeah. "Just that."

Goh: After eating and talking with friends, then it was back to our friend.

Ash: Yup, just like that.

Pikachu: Pika pika chu. ["All done after that."]

Me: So, after all that, the old saying is true again - the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Ash: But not completely! All your friends are (were) really different for each one.

Goh: I think both of you have your points.

Me: While I'm not sure what or where the next big one will be, there might just be some ways to make it different.

Ash: But Pokémon can always stay the same for us. 

Goh: That's a sure thing.

Me: Absolutely. It's a "go-to" for wherever we go to. You get my drift.

Three years ago: Spoiler Alert
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Saturday, September 12, 2026

Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 9/12/2026

Today is Community Day Classic in Pokémon Go, but I'm going to preface it by saying that apparently, it will be the only kind of Community Day that will be present this month - which means that the non-Classic regular edition is absent. Nothing else has been stated (officially) about the plan, and some Trainers have associated the missing regular edition with Go Fest Mega Finale, with it taking a "bite" (and a big one at that) of the regular edition. Nevertheless, there is a "biting" element to this edition of Community Day Classic as well.

Since Totodile has already been done, it's obviously for a different Pokémon that can bite, and that would be for Gible, last seen in June 2021. When it's fully evolved to Garchomp through Gabite, it still learns the special move of Earth Power, and the bonus also remains triple XP for those who still seek it. As usual, there are extensions for Incense and Lure Modules, both with their modern lengths of three hours and and one hour, and photo bombs. Thus, the effort of updating past editions with modern features is still an ongoing one for this edition.

For that, some Gible in the wild as well as encounters from Field Research, Timed Research (community), and Special Research (paid, still with the title of "Just a Nibble") have the modern special background; the last of these also has the modern structure. Of course, those who still want to make the most of it can encounter a few more Gible past the main event hours by putting up Lure Modules up to 9 PM, which is also the cutoff for obtaining the special move as above and represents another added modern feature.

New this time is a Collection Challenge that is completed by catching a Gible and evolving it through its evolution line to earn Garchomp Mega Energy. This makes it the first time that the feature has returned since March this year, which is what I hinted in an earlier post. Certainly, it is well-deserved and becomes a novel implementation for it.

Meanwhile, as for my dealings with this edition, it's not exactly "mine", and there are good reasons for that, which are to be explained with the help of others...

Me: Right then, so it's the Gible line today. You have one, don't you?

Ash: Yeah! And we all know Cynthia has a Garchomp.

Goh: And then there's Mega Evolution and all that jazz.

Ash: You had me take care of this one in your area today. Luckily, I met a couple of your friends who could help out with that.

Pikachu: Pika pika. ["Good thing."]

Me: Well, don't expect it to happen every time with them. (I don't expect it to happen for myself either.) But at least today worked out somehow.

Ash: Yeah. We met at the mall and walked a little bit past it. I caught as many Gible as possible, completed the challenge, and then... went off for something else.

Goh: Well, if there's a "something else", that means our friend has something in mind - something that happens locally.

Me: Certainly. But that's for a separate discussion soon enough.

Without a regular or non-Classic edition for this month, it might seem that something is afoot with Pokémon Go - perhaps, not in this particular context. But having the ever-popular Gible line return for Community Day might be a satisfactory way to take a bite off the big things.

Two years ago: No Lies... and Lies
Three years ago: A Win for the Ages
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Friday, September 11, 2026

When Pokémon Was 5...

When Pokémon was 5 - that is, five years old - it was in its infancy, and the Internet was about to head into its adolescent years. Back then too, blogging wasn't too much of a thing, social media was still "around the corner", and artificial intelligence was rudimentary - all things that may or may not have contributed to the execution of this blog as you see today. Yet it was also at that time that the franchise was shaping up... and the world effectively shaped up as well. 

When only five years had passed, the franchise was into its second generation and the third was "around the corner". They laid down the foundations for longtime fans like me that are also incidentally very strong in the face of certain hardships - at least for the dedicated ones. Those fans would also develop their potentials for remaining within the vein of the main series games or potentially branching out to others when the time came for them to be present.

When the games were a concern then, there were only really the main series games to deal with, and not much else beyond that or even on other devices, unlike the way things are today. Yet they were (and still are) good for instilling what matters about the namesake species of the franchise, including their associated lore and capabilities, which regardless of their presence in games or otherwise would remain relevant somehow, even if fans may not actually realize it.

When Pokémon was five years old, the world also experienced a big "blot" on a certain day... and that day is today, incidentally this year being "five by five" (that is, 25) years after the fact. It will be the only time I make a reference to it (and rather indirectly at that) since even Darkrai would likely feel inferior to that "blot" - and Darkrai wasn't even around when that happened. In any case, it scars the mind of people as it happened, whether or not they are Pokémon fans.

When Pokémon was in its fifth year, the franchise was effectively "coming to terms" with what can be possible for it in the present and future, while the world was "coming to terms" with the fact that it would effectively never be the same again. Yet that may be important as today is the result of yesterday, and things in life run their course. After 25 years, the world as well as Pokémon continue on their course, and what remains is all the developments up to today.

Three years ago: Another Pokémon Watch
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Thursday, September 10, 2026

Quickies: Getting More Boxed In

I actually live - specifically, at this very moment - in a rather confined space, being surrounded by houses in two of the four cardinal directions and environments that I can't modify in the other two. As such, in a way, I'm essentially "boxed in" with regard to my surroundings... and it seems that is becoming more of the case as the specific environments change on their own or are changed by other means. Of course, I'm inclined to regard it in a Pokémon manner and in doing so also bring it up on this blog.

For that concern, it may be said that on one side, a Stakataka has been brought in to help "box out" one of those sides for its purposes. Obviously, this means that in turn, I'm the one getting "boxed in", further than the state that it's already in. Though it's helpful, said Pokémon species can also be somewhat quirky when it comes to others closing in on its territory. That means exercising further caution than what may be needed, and that then implies a further "boxing in" by way of just trying to stay clear.

Meanwhile, it has been also the case that the wildlife - in this case, being interpreted as wild Pokémon species - have also been closing in on the territory of the place where I live. Some of these (like a wild Espurr) are in a way benign and at times welcomed, while others (like a group of miniature but still "savage" Durant) are much less so for both of the mentioned qualities. With their presence, needless to say, it's another way I'm becoming "boxed in" despite not being literally the case around them.

Anyone would understand that getting "boxed in" is not exactly the best of feelings, whether or not the feeling can be interpreted to have certain Pokémon elements with it. The above is my Pokémon interpretation of the "boxed in" situation within which I'm currently present, and it's fanciful if nothing else for this Pokémon fan. It's still a hard thing in any case (and harder still if things don't change for the better), but Pokémon seems to make it a little easier on my mind and perception for all it's worth.

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Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Come on Over by Twilight Trails

Get a life, get a grip
Get away somewhere, take a trip
Take a break, take control
Take advice from someone you know, oh
Come on over, come on in
Pull up a seat, take a load off your feet
Come on over, come on in
You can unwind, take a load off your mind...
-- "Come On Over", Shania Twain

The Pokémon Go season has transitioned - specifically, just yesterday - and the new season is at hand. Yet just like for a season from three years ago, I'm inspired to mark the transition with a musical interpretation, moreover since I had provided one for when the previous season began. As with three years ago, I kept the song choice to one by the same artist, and the song that is quoted above seems to fit the bill to mark the seasonal transition from the end of one to the beginning of another.

Being also the title track of one of the early albums of the singer, the song itself is an upbeat invitation to go somewhere and relax, which is especially evident by the parts I've quoted, being the first verse and chorus. It's enthusiastic, optimistic, and opportunistic - even more so for the artist of the song, who could have been said to be on the rise at the time of its and its album's release. The same could be said to apply to Pokémon matters too, especially with regard to the above situation.

With regard to the current Pokémon Go season, its title is definitely suggestive of paths (as "trails") by which Trainers in and of the game can venture through, possibly to encounter new challenges, opportunities, and so on. As such, the "coming over" suggestion is fulfilled by this imagery, and the above song fills in the rest of the imagery nicely. Even so, the "twilight" portion of things seems to be suggestive of not only pertinent matters at this time of year but also other shady matters (to be detailed later) that may come over.

Generally, the song's upbeat premises, in the other parts of the song beyond the ones I've quoted, are also something that Trainers of all kinds may stand up for and support each other for their achievement. Overall, the song itself could also be construed as an invitation for Trainers to keep up their Pokémon journey on whatever paths they go on (whether or not that pertains to Pokémon Go), as well as to "come over" and gather with other Trainers to deal with the paths they have treaded on - perhaps even against each other.

Pokémon certainly wasn't on the mind of the artist, as part of the songwriting team, when the song was first released (after all, it was only a year old at the time). Yet framing the song with a Pokémon context obviously works out quite well, in particular with the seasonal transition of Pokémon Go as I've intended it to be. With that, after the occurring transition for the latter game's season, now the effort lies in treading the "twilight trails" as suggested... and Pokémon species and Trainers can "come over" along the way.

Seven years ago: The Music of TCGO
Eight years ago: Cosplay: Tachiagare
Nine years ago: My Book of Days
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Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Celebrity Favorites for "Pokémon 30"

Ideally, the post I write up for today should have come (a lot) sooner - perhaps applicable in more ways than one - but it is what it is. Earlier this year, I had written up about the "What's Your Favorite?" campaign, which is also effectively a star-studded commemoration for this year's big Pokémon anniversary. For that, I do want to identify the celebrities that are part of the campaign, along with the species they state as their favorite, and to give a personal breakdown of their selections - in particular, those that were featured on the Instagram post.

Some of the featured celebrities are those who deal with the world of music, one of them being the aforementioned Lady Gaga (whose favorite is Jigglypuff); the Pokémon is known for its 12-octave range and it therefore meshes with her musical style. Then, there are Jisoo of K-pop girl band Blackpink fame (whose favorite is Eevee) who has cited the transformative nature of the species, perhaps much like the girl band itself, and Young Miko (whose favorite is Gengar), a Caribbean rapper who could be construed to have a sharp and distinct style, and so does the Pokémon species of choice. They're all well-liked for these well-liked artists.

Then, there are a couple of featured athletes. Charles Leclerc (whose favorite is Arcanine) is known for his prowess behind the wheel of an F1 car; it's speedy, but so is that very Pokémon, who might just be able to stand in for the vehicle if he lets it - which could seem to be the case. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal (whose favorite is Zygarde in its Complete Forme) had just recently helped Spain to earn a soccer world champ title, and both are particularly known for their abilities - extreme ones at that, both off and on the pitch. If these two athletes have something to say, it may be that their favorite species also define themselves and back.

As for the rest of the featured celebrities, they may be considered "offbeat" ones. Comedy fans will likely recognize Trevor Noah (whose favorite is Psyduck) from his show ventures, especially one on the air; the choice of the Pokémon may be one of bewilderment, with particular regard to psychic and comedic power. Then there's Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (whose favorite is Luxray), an actress who is likely recognizable from some contemporary roles, including one for an animation in a neighboring universe... which might partially explain the choice of the species in addition to its Electric-type personality. They're "offbeat" yet so are their complements.

With these celebrities, the selection represents a great swath of pop culture media and lifestyle, which can be said to be the same for Pokémon nowadays in all its forms. Whether or not Pokémon can be verified to have an impact on said celebrities, the impact of their stated favorites may just be very effective for existing fans and captivating for those for whom Pokémon may be only a cursory interest. They make their favorites especially attractive for themselves and fans in general, and that is definitely worth it for this year's big anniversary.

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