The Essential and Avoidable Qualities of Pokémon Go Level Tasks

Talking about the new leveling journey for Pokémon Go and its new level tasks prompts me that a good discussion can be made on the latter. Specifically, the discussion concerns the qualities of being "essential" or not, and being "avoidable" or not. These qualities, independent of the progression a Trainer can make on them, can then determine how they can be used by Trainers to level up or even defer that progression, the latter especially given that they earn lots of items in the process. Both of these qualities are then useful to be discussed for their relevance to the level tasks. 

In this regard, "essential" refers to how necessary a task is to be performed in regular play, with or without the task in question. The task of "walk 25 km in a week" (an old task) and "trade Pokémon caught 300 km apart" (both old and new) are not really essential to be performed in regular play, but they do help with some of the gameplay. On the other hand, making Nice or better throws and powering up Pokémon are routinely essential in order to attain certain successes in the game, especially ones related to battling. For the level tasks, the essence is certainly to advance leveling progress, but they also help to make the essence of the actions in regular play evident.

Meanwhile, "avoidable" in this case refers to the possibility of not having to do a task and to wait for other or better opportunities before doing them, such as a task that when completed will surely result in going up a level. Any task has the potential for this, but tasks like "win 3-star Raid with Pokémon of CP 1500 or less" (also an old task) and "power up Pokémon to maximum CP" (old and new task) do quite exhibit a potential for avoidance. Then there are the tasks of exploring - even for long distances - and earning Stardust that no matter how much or little one plays, they'll eventually complete themselves, making them truly "unavoidable". Neither is leveling up, really, but progress can be paused at least for a little bit of time with some of these tasks.

Where and what does this leave players or Trainers? The combination of these two qualities gives a way for Trainers to establish how they can or will proceed with their level-up efforts. A less essential and more avoidable task can be saved (intervened) for last or whenever they really need it, while a more essential and less avoidable task is more likely to be complete itself without intervention, though not necessarily first. For example, the "crazy" players will likely have their platinum medal tasks completed unavoidably despite not being (too) essential, and more normal ones can try to save some for level-up holdovers when they get to certain high levels with tasks for them.

"Avoidable" and "essential" might not be the first thing one thinks of when describing the level tasks for higher levels, yet it does make some sense since many of the tasks are long-form in nature and end up furnishing lots of rewards when they are completed and the level increases. The tasks can then be factored into however and whenever one regularly plays Pokémon Go and be worked on accordingly with consideration of the two qualities above, and the effort becomes a journey in itself, even before and now after the renewal and replacement of those level-up tasks.

One year ago: We Groove, We Battle, We Rise

Two years ago: Changing Map Elements in Pokémon Unite

Three years ago: Pokémon, Lucky Love in Teenage Heaven

Four years ago: Breakthroughs Involving Pokémon

Five years ago: The Challenges of the Juvenile

Six years ago: Pokémon Movements in Pokémon Go

Seven years ago: Being Young and Proud

Eight years ago: PokéNumbers

The New Leveling Journey of Pokémon Go

While all the most recent hubbub this week - on this blog, at least - was directed to the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the most significant transformation in Pokémon Go this season, as the increase of its level cap, also happened during that time. That transformation also brings forth a new leveling journey along with other things for that journey. Since all of that has happened, it's a good idea to discuss about the happenings and even include my own take on those happenings, as what it brings forth for me.

So, while the associated XP Celebration event ended at the local time transition to October 15, after which the increase was expected to occur, there was actually a kerfuffle as its scheduling was actually the local time of the developers - that is, U.S. Pacific Time - meaning that most of the world got the increase on October 16. The usual reactions to a kerfuffle for the game - a common one by now - followed but didn't last long, and soon everyone was absorbed in what the level cap increase offered for their gameplay.

As expected, everyone leveled up proportionately to their earned XP, and those with at least 85.8 million leveled up to Level 70. At that point, they'll have to complete the tasks and either collect XP (or use their "banked" amount) to go to the next level. Furthermore, all the tasks, needed XP, and level-up rewards - the latter two even for all prior levels - can be seen, so Trainers know what they expect to get and need to do. This is a real improvement from the previous limited view, again one that maybe should have been implemented a long time ago.

Regarding these tasks for Level 71 and beyond, one in each set involves collecting a certain number of Platinum medals, while the rest are composed of long-form tasks that are supposed (or at the least designed) to take quite a bit of time to complete. Yet some "crazy" Trainers, however, might find a way to complete some of them in a single day... which in fact happened for the Level 71 tasks before they were stopped cold by a Level 72 task that explicitly requires it to be done within a span of seven days. As such, it'll take some time for the higher levels.

Because the XP can be seen and calculated, it is also easy to determine if one has enough for all those levels, regardless of the tasks needed to go through them. For example, I have 208 million XP, which is just a little more than what is needed to get to Level 80 by XP alone (203.3 million). Of course, that's only in a dream, and the reality of the tasks is what I'll be facing; that's pretty much the only thing to face, though, and whatever XP is earned along the way only "sweetens the pot" for what will take place after the tasks are done.

In any case, all of that constitutes the new leveling journey for Trainers in Pokémon Go with the new level cap. Yet it's a journey that is as familiar as it is new for anyone who gets involved with the game, for its task mechanism for higher levels is essentially recycled and the XP itself is never new. Only the spirit may be new along with a few of the numbers involved in the leveling progression, and that may just be spirited enough for the case of this game as it continues to provide the same challenges with all different Pokémon.

One year ago: Bringing Raids Closer in Pokémon Go

Two years ago: Quickies: Gifts of My Heart

Three years ago: On the Giving and Taking of Collections

Four years ago: Keeping Pokémon Cities Weird

Five years ago: Starting with the End in Mind

Six years ago: October (on the) Road

Seven years ago: The Moves Pokémon Know and Use

Eight years ago: Second Remakes?

A Big (Mega) Time DLC

For the last discussion of the "gimme five" surrounding the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the topic to be discussed is a big and weighty one, not only in terms of scope but also in terms of cost - additional ones, as a matter of fact. That, of course, implies a paid DLC for the game, which is in fact the case... or will soon be. It's also profound due to its timing - precisely at the beginning of the game's life - as well as the content that it provides, and therefore it has to be discussed alongside the release of the game proper.

The DLC is called "Mega Dimension", and at the core of it, Hoopa is present. As advertised as early as last month (through certain information channels), it also brings forth Mega Raichu, split into X and Y forms as with Charizard and Mewtwo. Whatever else the DLC brings is not yet known as the DLC is still in a bit of development and will come somewhat later on, but it's already available for purchase now; those who do that will get the bonus of an outfit that can be worn even while the main game is in progress.

What becomes rather apparent is that the DLC is a way of restricting some content behind payment, otherwise called "paywalling". Even if Raichu isn't (quite) as popular as its "devolved" brethren, it still conceivably has a certain legion of fans, and they'll appreciate the addition of Mega Evolution to it - in two forms, no less. To have that "paywalled" behind DLC instead of being in the main game outright could be considered a bit of disappointment, particularly with the popularity of the content in question for fans.

Meanwhile, Ranked Battles will obviously be carried out online, and online services on the Switch console require the subscription... which can be thought of as an indirect "paywall" or DLC. In fact, the reward for the first season is the Mega Evolution of a particularly popular frog, and thus content is already being "paywalled" as I speak. It's only pertinent to the actual DLC as above by its similar nature, but it bears mentioning with consideration that the DLC is already in the works to supply actual paid content.

Having DLC present for any game may be controversial to some extent, and now it is apparent that the new Legends: Z-A game can't escape that controversy, as it has a (planned) DLC of its own. It's an additional scope with an additional cost for elements of possible interest, and it is furthermore being presented early on in the dynamics of the main game. That makes it a big-time thing for a big-time game - or rather, "mega", in light of the major concept that the game and its setting revolves around and brings back.

One year ago: Old-Time Watcher's Dream

Two years ago: Mission Bingo in Café Remix

Three years ago: A New Set of Pokémon Dolls

Four years ago: My Qualms in Taking On Ranked Matches

Five years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/17/2020

Six years ago: Wallpaper: Pokésoft Mix

Seven years ago: The First Sinnoh Saga Japanese Opening Theme

Eight years ago: Pokémon and Trains

Legends: Z-A Unleashed

OK, so the big day is finally here. Today is the day that the follow-up game in the Legends (sub-)series is released after a long wait. As has been previewed, it already promises many elements of interest and excitement, including a whole lot of new Mega Evolution forms. How that then translates to the interest and excitement of fans is to be seen today and throughout the coming times as they go through this new game and all that it offers.

For some, the first order of business may be to unlock Ranked Battles as the primary in-game competitive endeavor. This also has other implications that involve a certain aspect to be detailed separately, and is already associated with the game. It is certain that some players (Trainers) will look into the competitive endeavor as soon as possible, although completion of the game to certain points for this and its competitive materials is necessary.

Some others might just not deal with that (too much) and just take in the game as is, being that the return to Kalos and the return of Mega Evolution are the more enticing aspects to go through in their entireties. And there's no shame in that, since the original games were big on these, and they made them bigger still. That also goes for Lumiose City as this game's central focus, now bigger than ever with a lot of big things inside it as well.

As for local reactions among my fellow fans, they seem to be muted, whether they're the ones with vested interests in the main series and its ilk or just remotely interested ones who play other Pokémon games (TCG, Pokémon Go, and so on) more than the main series, which is known for its "barrier to entry". Of course, some of these "barriers" - including the apparently muted reactions - might just be broken down sooner or later to show the true reactions.

Now that the game has been released, the biggest thing for Pokémon - besides this game and Mega Evolution as the key "big" aspect - may just be making this second-of-its-kind game a really big success, also given that a big momentum is ahead. For now, there are other big things to deal with and within this game, and dealing with that will be big (or even bigger than big) for whichever big Pokémon fans are concerned.

One year ago: (Half-Hearted) Attempts at New Unite Event Formats?

Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/15/2023

Three years ago: Taking Raids to the Elite Level

Four years ago: Quickies: Real Interest in Pokémon Sweet Treats

Five years ago: Hunting for Rewards from the Go Battle League

Six years ago: Where I Want to Go

Seven years ago: (Improving the) Local EX Raid, 10/16/2018

Eight years ago: Trainer Fashion

Making Mega Evolution a Persistent Concept?

Also as stated earlier, I would bring up Mega Evolution as a discussion topic, since the concept has been made a key part of the game and the associated region. It too has waded its way to other Pokémon game realms, in a way cross-promoting the game. Yet for all that, the concept hasn't been exactly persistent in the regular main series games, seemingly only returning by way of the alternate Legends series. The issue then centers on how a persistence could be achieved for the concept, especially for the main series games, regular or otherwise.

But first, it may be helpful to gain insights from the lore behind the concept. It is said that some of the stones in the Kalos region possess special powers, and people found they could use them to allow certain Pokémon to gain access to the concept form, something that is larger than even their own lives. But then, in Hoenn, others also independently discovered the same thing for other Pokémon, and then there's the matter of Rayquaza accessing it by a Meteorite and strong wills from people who are linked to it.

The lore above thus concerns the original main series game as well as the related remake game with the concept. It suggests that there is a significance in both of the regions where the concept is (was) featured with major incorporation of it into the gameplay and lore. This is then compared to the seventh-generation games, where the concept was just there but not seemingly having any significance in gameplay and lore, even though it did feature in them. So, the featuring part of the concept is easy; the integration part may be harder.

Persistence for Mega Evolution, then, may seem to lie in being able to have it being a good  (or key) part of the games where it can be featured, and then having something new to complement the feature and make it engaging for the players. Many Pokémon even now still don't have a Mega Evolution form, and future instances of the concept being featured can stand to have new forms for species that don't already have it, in the same way that the remake games featuring the concept had that to complement its original feature.

Mega Evolution has been a fascinating concept since its debut, and its preservation (albeit not its persistence) has been somewhat surprising as well with the assistance of other games beyond the main series. For the latter as well as any other Pokémon game, making it persist is the greater challenge, but the two takeaways above of incorporating it well and contributing something new to it appear to be important for maintaining its persistence. After that, the only challenge is having the "mega" guts to keep dealing with it. 

One year ago: Renewing the Anime, Revisited

Two years ago: Cosplay: Road to CHoCoDays 10th

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 10/15/2022

Four years ago: Chiki Balls Pokémon Coins: Expanding the Collection

Five years ago: Strange Eggs, and Getting Estranged with Eggs

Six years ago: Rekindling Old Games

Seven years ago: Ultra Ball Hanging Ornament

Eight years ago: Cosplay: MAXcited

The Future of the Legends Series

As I've stated, the future of the Legends series may make for a good discussion, and that's what I've chosen to take up as the next topic in this "Legends: Z-A week". Granted, it's a topic that's a bit "far out" as topics go since only the next member in the series, the one that makes it as such, is just being released. Yet there seems to be no harm in trying to establish what the future might hold for this new (and newly established) series of Pokémon games.

The first consideration would certainly involve the region. Two regions have already gotten the treatment (Sinnoh as Hisui and Kalos), and there's still a lot of potential out there. Given the strong Legendary connections, Alola could make a perfect target for an in-the-past approach like the first game, while Hoenn does so likewise for in-the-future like the second game. Other regions may also be possible with surprising developments.

Included Pokémon would certainly be a given. The featured region would certainly have to have its characteristic species, but beyond that, considerations might just go any which way. Species appearing in a region from a later generation retroactively appearing is always an interesting prospect, especially how to make them work as special features. As for older species, they're a natural, but they can also have finer points and surprises too.

Finally, timing is a major consideration as well. The current Legends game is actually being released at a point closer to a momentous time, and the current time may be considered an inter-period between major milestones. If another Legends game is in the works, it would have to be situated between other major Pokémon milestones and take advantage of that so that fans can in turn take advantage of the new game for their needs.

Considering the above, the future looks to be promising for another iteration of the Legends series, but the content and timeframe could be anyone's guess - though certainly at least a few years in the future, likely to continue drumming up Pokémon interest while being in the "doldrums". That may be a future worth waiting for, and while waiting for that, there's always the current iterations of the Legends series for planning out that future.

One year ago: Nobody's Perfect

Two years ago: Cosplay: MCP Mini Contest 

Three years ago: The Evolution Cup of GBL

Four years ago: A Pokémon Best Friend Dream

Five years ago: Workouts, Exercise, and Fitness with Pokémon

Six years ago: Community vs. Central Management

Seven years ago: Cosplay: Akatsuki no Matsuri

Eight years ago: Never Stop Exploring

How to Regard the Legends Games

I have to be up front and say that this week, the long-awaited Legends: Z-A game will be released - specifically in three days' time. As such, I thought it would be a good idea to take this month's "gimme five" and discuss its eventual release and topics surrounding the game, including Mega Evolution as something touted of the game and its featured region (Kalos). For that, the first topic concerns the game together with the previous one (Legends: Arceus), considering both as a (sub-)series now established by the new and upcoming game.

That first topic in particular concerns how to regard this newly formed Pokémon game series. I had earlier characterized the previous game on its launch as a "spinoff", but considering what has been presented, that might seem "improper". Sure, the game has different mechanisms for battles with wild Pokémon and others, but many things line up with the main series games, like the selection of starters (first partners) and other battle aspects. A Legendary Pokémon is also featured much like the main series games from the second generation onwards.

Furthermore, in the earlier game, Pokémon are kept in "pastures", which are essentially boxes under another name. Meanwhile, the new game will have a form of ranked battling and other online conveniences similar to the most recent main series games of Scarlet and Violet - but this will be further allocated in different posts over this week. And then, there is the highly evident inclusion of Mega Evolution, a revival of a past main series mechanism and with many new entries included, likely alongside the old ones as well within the game.

Based on the points presented above, it can be regarded that the Legends games are most like the main series games with a number of "riffs" or changes. As such, they can then be most aptly considered as "main series alternates", not unlike a "third game" (something that has been long absent) yet also so far removed from the concept - which may be why it could have been so hard to see it all this time. This too opens up a myriad of implications that may be better reserved for later discussions alongside the links to the main series.

Although possible future installments of the Legends games - something that's definitely up for a later discussion - may further tie into the idea above yet separate from its predecessors, including the original main series games they are (or will be) based on, considering the new game series as "alternates" still very much makes sense. That "making sense" will need to be carried over if and when more games of the new series are planned, and of course for the next new game that won't be long now before it's finally released.

One year ago: Cosplay: Axis Cup and Cosplay Festival

Two years ago: Unexpected Collaborations with Pokémon

Three years ago: Pokémon Café Remix Burnout?

Four years ago: Tournament: Raid Group "Relaxed" Lunar Cup

Five years ago: The Day-Night Cycle and Pokémon Games

Six years ago: Cosplay: KAI ESports Exhibition

Seven years ago: Pokémon and Adventure Games

Eight years ago: Respect for Ikue Ootani