Today's the day, Trainers! More Hoenn-Region Pokémon could start spawning as soon as today! We will see more of Generation 3 soon, but when and how much?
First, let's look at what happened with the release of Generation 2. Pichu, Togepi, and the rest of the baby Pokémon were released as a preview. They were accompanied by this cryptic phrase, which led us to believe a waved release was coming:
First, let's look at what happened with the release of Generation 2. Pichu, Togepi, and the rest of the baby Pokémon were released as a preview. They were accompanied by this cryptic phrase, which led us to believe a waved release was coming:
Starting later today, Trainers will have the opportunity to hatch these and several other Pokémon that were originally discovered in the Johto Region in the Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver video games. These are the first of more Pokémon coming to Pokémon GO over the next few months.
So, that brings us to our current situation. We've been waiting for the full roster of Generation 3 for about a month and a half. Niantic's statement (see below) has led us to believe that we'll see a gradual release. While this could be the case, it could also be Niantic being safe with their words. Like every generation, there will probably be some "special" Pokémon (like Ditto) and Legendaries that will need some time to be released.
So which theory of release for this new content is the most sensible? Today, December 4, December 8, December 12, or the holidays?
So which theory of release for this new content is the most sensible? Today, December 4, December 8, December 12, or the holidays?
The rest of the Pokémon first seen in the Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire video games will gradually arrive starting as early as December!
So, that brings us to our current situation. We've been waiting for the full roster of Generation 3 for about a month and a half. The Global Catch Challenge's success and Ho-Oh has certainly brought some excitement back to the game, but we need more than the current player base to be sustainable. So which theory of release for this new content is the most sensible? Today, December 4, December 8, December 12, or the holidays?
TODAY: With the release of Ho-Oh earlier this week, the addition of more Pokémon today is unlikely. However great it would be, it just seems to soon. We know that Niantic likes spreading content out, and the Pokémon Company doesn't like Pokémon GO to interfere with any of their projects. This, along with the fact that we've had no prior warning (as we did with Generation 2), makes the theory of Generation 3 coming out later today unrealistic.
DECEMBER 4: While the main rewards of the Pokémon GO Travel event will end later today (1:00 P.M. PT), the event boxes will end on Monday, December 4. This could point to the release of Generation 3 being on this day. After all, why else do the boxes need to be extended?
With all of that said, we still think that today would make more sense than Monday. Releasing new Pokémon on a Monday doesn't really make sense (as weekends are probably the game's biggest days). But, although Monday probably won't be the release date of Generation 3, it could be the day for something else.
DECEMBER 8: December 8 is a release date we've seen to be a very widely-accepted one on the Silph Road Reddit. Ho-Oh will be almost gone, and the Northern Hemisphere will still be less frigid and snow-covered. December 8 is also a Friday, so it certainly seems like a prime release date.
DECEMBER 12: December 12 is the date that Ho-Oh disappears, which could be an indication of a Generation 3 release. Although, it is a Tuesday (a day we rarely get updates on). And, since we've seen Ho-Oh released before the end of the Beasts' cycle, so we don't necessarily have to wait for Generation 3.
THE HOLIDAYS: Now, all of these release dates have been early or mid-December. It is still possible that Generation 3 releases in late December, or even 2018. We think that Niantic would be incredibly stupid to wait until next year. With the lack of content we've had over the past few months, the player-base has significantly dwindled to only the most dedicated and loving Trainers.
This game needs a Max Revive. Although it has certainly began to spark back to life after the Global Catch Challenge and the introduction of Ho-Oh Raids (we've had some of the largest Raid groups come out in months, even in some of our more suburban play-spots), it isn't going to last forever. And the Northern Hemisphere's winter months may set us back without Generation 3.
Gen 3 is, without a doubt, one of the most popular generations. Out of all the predictable content, Generation 3 and a competitive, reworked battle system are the best chance of Pokémon GO ever reclaiming a large portion of its former popularity back from the shadows of the past.
We are just hoping Niantic does the right thing. Thanks for reading, Trainers. But, if you'd like a more Legendary-based article, make sure to check out yesterday's speculation about how Niantic might handle Mythical Pokémon.
TODAY: With the release of Ho-Oh earlier this week, the addition of more Pokémon today is unlikely. However great it would be, it just seems to soon. We know that Niantic likes spreading content out, and the Pokémon Company doesn't like Pokémon GO to interfere with any of their projects. This, along with the fact that we've had no prior warning (as we did with Generation 2), makes the theory of Generation 3 coming out later today unrealistic.
DECEMBER 4: While the main rewards of the Pokémon GO Travel event will end later today (1:00 P.M. PT), the event boxes will end on Monday, December 4. This could point to the release of Generation 3 being on this day. After all, why else do the boxes need to be extended?
With all of that said, we still think that today would make more sense than Monday. Releasing new Pokémon on a Monday doesn't really make sense (as weekends are probably the game's biggest days). But, although Monday probably won't be the release date of Generation 3, it could be the day for something else.
DECEMBER 8: December 8 is a release date we've seen to be a very widely-accepted one on the Silph Road Reddit. Ho-Oh will be almost gone, and the Northern Hemisphere will still be less frigid and snow-covered. December 8 is also a Friday, so it certainly seems like a prime release date.
DECEMBER 12: December 12 is the date that Ho-Oh disappears, which could be an indication of a Generation 3 release. Although, it is a Tuesday (a day we rarely get updates on). And, since we've seen Ho-Oh released before the end of the Beasts' cycle, so we don't necessarily have to wait for Generation 3.
THE HOLIDAYS: Now, all of these release dates have been early or mid-December. It is still possible that Generation 3 releases in late December, or even 2018. We think that Niantic would be incredibly stupid to wait until next year. With the lack of content we've had over the past few months, the player-base has significantly dwindled to only the most dedicated and loving Trainers.
This game needs a Max Revive. Although it has certainly began to spark back to life after the Global Catch Challenge and the introduction of Ho-Oh Raids (we've had some of the largest Raid groups come out in months, even in some of our more suburban play-spots), it isn't going to last forever. And the Northern Hemisphere's winter months may set us back without Generation 3.
Gen 3 is, without a doubt, one of the most popular generations. Out of all the predictable content, Generation 3 and a competitive, reworked battle system are the best chance of Pokémon GO ever reclaiming a large portion of its former popularity back from the shadows of the past.
We are just hoping Niantic does the right thing. Thanks for reading, Trainers. But, if you'd like a more Legendary-based article, make sure to check out yesterday's speculation about how Niantic might handle Mythical Pokémon.