Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Recent Oddities in Pokémon Go

The most recent updates to Pokémon Go have added many bits of content, which as always is highly appreciable. What seems to be less appreciable are some oddities that are also either newly introduced or have persisted with no clear resolution to them. Given their presence, it seems that it is necessary for me to bring them up in a post and cover them, with the hope that someday the oddities can then have a resolution - though I may not be able to offer that.

Max Battles prompt Trainers to place a Pokémon from the battle party at the Power Spot at their end, but strangely this occurs even if all the Pokémon in the party are ones that cannot be placed (Eternatus, Crown forms, Buddy Pokémon), the Trainer has already placed one there, or the Power Spot is full (with the limit being 40). It would seem that a check of any of these conditions would rectify this issue, but for some reason it just hasn't been implemented. This is definitely an oddity that may be in search of a resolution at some point in the future.

Next is a bit of a reiteration. The previous Community Day featured Zorua, which is known for its transformative abilities. Yet in that edition, it was made evident by the mechanism on the overworld map that Zorua could also "transform into itself", which is somewhat illogical and nonsensical even from a transformative standpoint, and thus it becomes an odd behavior as far as this is concerned. This may or may not seek a resolution at some later point, but a reconciliation may be ideal for various reasons beyond that of Community Day itself. 

Recent changes also seem to indicate a penchant for hiding things. Besides the recent one of combining two icons and effectively hiding one (the compass icon), the game has made the undocumented change of removing the Daily Adventure Incense icon prior to its activation, although Trainers can still activate it for the day if they haven't by going into their item bag to do so. Whether these cases are intentional or not, the things becoming hidden does present as an odd situation for them and Trainers, and it may also be hard to see their resolution.

Strange things may manifest themselves in Pokémon games occasionally, but in the case of Pokémon Go throughout all its years, they've been present to greater degrees. The case of the above more recent oddities in Pokémon Go illustrate just how odd things can be, behaviorally if not (also) logically. While everything else in the game may and should make perfect sense, the presence of the oddities might just need to be understood (and/or fixed) at a higher level.

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Monday, October 19, 2026

Round and Round the Wheel Goes...

What you gonna tell your dad
It's like a wheel of fortune
What you gonna tell your dad
If this wheel lets you down
My love is my engine
And you might be fuel
Stop acting cool
Just bet you might win
I'm not too cool...
-- "Wheel of Fortune", Ace of Base

Readers of this blog might notice (likely astutely) that on this day I've directly covered about an aspect related to Pokémon in one year, followed by Pokémon impressions with the aid of a song from the Swedish music group Ace of Base in the next. That's something I intend to keep, so since last year was the former, this year has to be the latter. For that purpose, I've chosen one of their early hits that seems rather relevant to currently prevailing Pokémon sentiments, including some that I've recently covered right here on this blog.

Clearly, by the extract or quote of its lyrics as above - which would be of the chorus - this song is about love, but a kind that is "hands-off" and unpredictable... much like the object that lends its name to the title of this song and is subsequently sung about as in the chorus. Sometimes it would make things pleasant, but other times it might make things (much) less so. Yet it's still a love that keeps one powered up for the next wonderful moment.

Such state of affairs may also be taken as the experience of many people with Pokémon in all its forms (games and more) with them being fabulous at some points and dismal in others, which perhaps also corresponds to cycles of wins and losses. But then, that's normal with Pokémon affairs, unless there are other factors in play and those factors make it complicated for fans of Pokémon things, and in some cases the makers as well. 

Meanwhile, just recently I had re-mentioned Victini's V-Wheel, and that is in fact a true "wheel of fortune" in a Pokémon setting. While it does seem like its essence is that "fortune favors Victini", there may still be other fortunes to be had after said wheel is spun. It may not let anyone down, and others might just bet on a victory of any scale.

Life has a way of throwing fortunes around, much like what happens when one spins the item of the wheel that pertains to it. The Swedish music group sensed that appropriately for love, while Pokémon fans can sense that through their happenings, plus that above item. Where the wheel stops then becomes the true test for love and its energy.

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Sunday, October 18, 2026

Immersion Mode in Mobile Pokémon Games

Since Pokémon Go became a success, more and more Pokémon games have appeared on mobile platforms (Apple iOS and Android). One way they take advantage of the capabilities of the respective platforms is by having the games completely take up the full screen (like other games on the platforms do), but along with that, they also merge with or completely hide the upper status bar and lower navigation controls. The latter is what I term as "immersion mode", and there is not much to it, but at least some of it can be explored for how it has applied.

Most games on these platforms are already of the second kind, hiding both of these upper and lower portions of the screen. Unite, TCGP, Masters EX, and Home all do this in their mobile versions. Even so, for Android in particular, these portions of the screen can still be made to appear temporarily by swiping from the respective edges, which is also necessary to close the games if the need arises. In this way, total focus is placed on the main content of the games, and that is furnished by that kind of "immersion mode".

Then, there is Pokémon Go itself. A recent Android update had made it possible for the game to have the "immersion mode" of the first kind, where the status bar appears transparently over the game itself and the lower navigation is hidden, which may also becomes a distinct change for some Trainers who are used to use the latter. Even so, those on iOS have already enjoyed this kind of near-total immersion for a long time with the upper statuses already transparent, so in a way, this might be considered a way of equalizing experiences.

Pokémon in itself has a way of providing immersion through its games; that includes the ones on mobile platforms, as the ones mentioned above. Of course, it can and does take a little bit more technological trickery to make that immersion more complete or "total" in some way, and the above games have accomplished that with their "immersion mode" implementations, particularly given their presence on their respective platforms. Further immersion may lie in more games and content for them, but the mode surely helps out with that.

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Saturday, October 17, 2026

Favorite Parts of Pokémon Unite

While Pokémon Unite is in a state of a downturn, I want to say that it's still quite enjoyable for all that it's worth. As such, I thought I'd continue promoting aspects or parts of the game that I still consider good - which in the case of this current post, they would be what I regard as my favorites throughout the years of playing this game. Others may certainly differ about the parts or aspects I'm about to describe, but they're part of my viewpoint regardless.

First of all, I have to commend the game for coming up with all kinds of Holowear (skins), even if to this day many of them are still locked away behind a "paywall" of some sort. They're also a good mix of real and imagined cultural facets, and I'm sure many of them were born from the periodic player surveys the game carried out. I'm always impressed by the ones other players choose for their Pokémon - especially if I know about them - and I can only hope they would be so about mine as well. For that, I do still consider it a favorite aspect.

The game, meanwhile, has dared to innovate on its play modes, which becomes another favorite aspect that also has to be commended. That applies for the Ranked match map and the changes that were applied to it, as well as the addition of Quick match maps, including the ones with "non-standard" MOBA play (Electrode Volleyball and Charjabug Scuffle). The novel way that these maps play or have played out affirms their innovative quality and gives the game a unique character; ultimately, it not only sets it apart but also pleases me and others.

Music makes this game (but then, that's the same for modern and/or Pokémon games), yet it also deserves commendation as a favorite aspect. What I've said before many years ago still applies today, and each time I open the game, it is not only to experience its gameplay but also to immerse myself in its music - though I can do this as well outside the game if I had the straight audio for it, something that I should look into soon. It's a pleasing part of the game for me personally and certainly for others as well, so it's definitely a favorite.

Having explained the significant parts of Pokémon Unite that also become my favorite, I do have to say that doing so is likely still unable to reverse the game's current downturn, perhaps unless a miracle happens. Yet there is no harm in making the explanation and in a way making an attempt to reverse that downturn, as it is to play the game (or continue to do so) even in its current state and enjoy the game as much as possible for all its amazing parts and more.


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Friday, October 16, 2026

Up in Smoke

For many people, smoke is a real problem - especially if they're the result of wildfires that are not contained. Some Pokémon, however, are able to harness the power of smoke and accomplish interesting things with them. Specifically, those interesting things are in the form of Pokémon moves, and it seems that it would be neat to discuss them in order to glean insights from them, in particular to deal with some unresolved and actual smoky situations.

Some species of the Poison type know the move of Smog, which does damage and has a chance of poisoning the recipient. Fumes of certain substances are certainly dangerous and can cause instant poisoning, but other less dangerous ones can still build up in the body and eventually cause a similar effect. The move is essentially a testament to that, in particular the effect chance that affirms that real smog is damaging and poisonous sooner if not later.

Then there is the Smokescreen move. This one doesn't cause damage, but it makes it hard for opponents to make a hit, by way of increased evasiveness. There's a "ninja-style" renown of this move for the species that know it, but then opposing Pokémon may have to make like ninjas of their own - especially when real smoke is concerned. All kinds of caution or wariness then have to go into play in battling against other Pokémon and this particular smoke form.

Last on the smoke agenda is the Haze (and the functionally related Mist) move. They negate stat changes, which in similar respects to the above is part of the "unnerving" quality of real smoke. The latter is certainly something that one doesn't want to be around, whether it's intentionally or unintentionally caused. For Pokémon species, though, those that can invoke the move will likely do it intentionally for the better of themselves or their associations.

Right now, even, smoke is likely to be something that's quite problematic and that everyone needs to get together to eliminate for everyone's well-being. Meanwhile, Pokémon species that can take advantage of smoke can be spectacular in their own right when they do so in battle. That might just inspire people to work together to take care of their own smoke problems in ways that are no less spectacular and will certainly be beneficial for their good.

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Thursday, October 15, 2026

New Pokémon Go Feature Update: Making Sense of Things

Recently, Pokémon Go put in an update to the game as usual, but it contained several more updates to features than usual (or what is usually perceived). The update was also highlighted in a news bulletin on the game's web site, which effectively also highlighted its significance. With that being the case, I thought I'd also highlight that significance by covering the update in a single post; additionally, it would serve to "make sense of things" related to the update.

Some of these feature updates pertain to usability. Zygarde Cells are now collected by a pop-up at the end of a Route instead of hunting them around the map, which had been somewhat dicey by Trainer experience; it is still a chance regardless and not a guarantee. A confirmation warning now also shows for Pokémon with perfect (100%) IV, and they are integrated into the warning system as well, which should be useful for those who might be dealing with Pokémon of this kind from time to time, including if they happen to be captured by accessory devices.

Then there are the feature updates related to the map. The compass and weather icons are now one; the latter is the default while the former appears when a map action is performed. They retain their functions... but it seems the former might be a bit too fast for some to catch when it appears, and this may need to be rectified in a future update. Meanwhile, if encounters happen to overlap waypoint features, the spacing has been rectified so that the encounters can be activated - this last point being very important for Incense users on a regular basis.

Lastly, check-ins to Community Ambassador meetups are now facilitated through the game map (accessed from the Nearby tab or game web site) by tapping on the meetup pin on the map and choosing "Check In", though the normal requirements of doing so (15 minutes prior to the start) still needs to be met. This simply serves as an additional facilitation to checking in by the Campfire app, but it may still be helpful in some ways regardless for certain Trainers.

While some aspects of the above changes make their benefits evident, yet others may not be immediately as such, each of them show their significance in a sensible way. As such, that also affirms the sensibility of them being rolled up together as a single package and informed to Trainers in that manner. After this point, they can find their own sensibilities for each aspect.

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Buying a Magikarp

In the first-generation games, a shady guy in the Pokémon Center at Mt. Moon would offer a Magikarp for sale, which the player Trainer can choose to buy if they do so. Even so, by many respects, the offering can be considered a "scam" because Magikarp can be commonly found through fishing in many areas, and therefore one doesn't need to buy it. Yet the offering still remains, and it's a curiosity that can be discussed from certain sides - the above being one.

Those who watch the anime will know that James was presented with the same offer at the start of the "SS Anne arc", and he took it up for all it's worth, essentially meaning that he bought into the "scam". After all the turmoil of the arc, however, it did evolve into Gyarados... and that also brought about the arc's conclusion (for best perceptions, please watch that arc directly). Thus, there is a certain "power" in actually buying into the offer or "scam" as it is.

For that, it seems that buying into the "scam" may just be worthwhile to try to obtain different IVs or other aspects. And then there is of course the fact that Magikarp evolves into Gyarados - which essentially puts the "scam" perception into question. It seems that it could only be considered a "scam" if the money is considered simply lost, while if it is considered to be an "investment" for the better things above, then at least some value may still be placed upon it.

With that consideration, I've essentially "bought a Magikarp" recently, though it wasn't a total nor severe loss. In fact, it did essentially amount to a Magikarp (or a few) for the recipient, so it was essentially, like the above, an "investment" in it. While I will most probably never see the "return" on my investment - or even the Magikarp evolve into Gyarados - the value that I perceive as being inherent to it keeps me from thinking too much otherwise about it now.

Although I wouldn't suggest that others venture to buy Magikarp of the realistic or imagined kind, I would say that at times it might be necessary to consider that things have happened essentially amount to as such. Meanwhile, the shady guy at the Mt. Moon Pokémon Center continues to peddle Magikarp for those looking to buy into his "scam"... or put in a sort of "investment" for bigger and better things, at least when said Magikarp can and does evolve.

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