1. Pokemon GO Fest
This week brought a big announcement from Niantic; Pokémon GO Fest returns this year in Chicago's Lincoln Park on June 14 and 15. The event this year features a 1.8 mile walking course, two days (both of which are the same, so Trainers are only able to attend one), and two entrances in an attempt to prevent the issues of last year.
When tickets went on sale later in the week, it went poorly. The website was overloaded with the large amount of Trainers and scalpers rushing to purchase tickets. Unfortunately, it seems that scalpers took a large amount of tickets, which they are now illegally selling on eBay for hundreds (in some cases thousands) of dollars.
But, on a more positive note, Niantic also gave us more details on the event shortly before tickets went on sale. The event will give attendees access to new Special Research. It's still unknown what the rewards for the research will be (should it be a new Mythical Pokémon, expect it to global after the event). From the event's promotional artwork, we can infer that Unown and Torkoal will also be available at the event.
SOURCE: Niantic, Community Reports
When tickets went on sale later in the week, it went poorly. The website was overloaded with the large amount of Trainers and scalpers rushing to purchase tickets. Unfortunately, it seems that scalpers took a large amount of tickets, which they are now illegally selling on eBay for hundreds (in some cases thousands) of dollars.
But, on a more positive note, Niantic also gave us more details on the event shortly before tickets went on sale. The event will give attendees access to new Special Research. It's still unknown what the rewards for the research will be (should it be a new Mythical Pokémon, expect it to global after the event). From the event's promotional artwork, we can infer that Unown and Torkoal will also be available at the event.
SOURCE: Niantic, Community Reports
2. New Safari Zones
Along with the GO Fest announcement, Niantic also announced that the summer will also have two new Safari Zones. The first will be in Dortmund, Germany, on June 30 and July 1 in Westfalenpark. The event is open to all and does not require tickets.
The second Safari Zone will take place in Yokosuka, Japan. We have no further details on the event yet.
SOURCE: Niantic
The second Safari Zone will take place in Yokosuka, Japan. We have no further details on the event yet.
SOURCE: Niantic
3. New update
Pokémon GO received a new update this week. It allows us to transform Rare Candy in bulk. In a datamine of the update, the move Blast Burn was discovered in the game's code.
Additionally, the game's network traffic also received an update. A new, Charmander-related quest and a long list of new error messages were discovered.
SOURCE: Update Notes, GO Hub Datamine, Chrales
Additionally, the game's network traffic also received an update. A new, Charmander-related quest and a long list of new error messages were discovered.
SOURCE: Update Notes, GO Hub Datamine, Chrales
4. Event reminders
The two Legendary Raid Bosses, Latios and Latias, switched places this week. They will remain in their current locations until June 5, 2018, at 1:00 PM PDT.
The ongoing Battle Showdown event will end soon. It will end tomorrow, May 14, at 1:00 PM PDT.
SOURCE: Niantic
The ongoing Battle Showdown event will end soon. It will end tomorrow, May 14, at 1:00 PM PDT.
SOURCE: Niantic
5. Gorochu
Some of the people who worked on the Generation 1 Pokémon games did a very interesting interview this week. In it they revealed that they intended to give Raichu an evolution named Gorochu. Gorochu was described like a cross between Kantonian Raichu and a demon. They said that they chose to not include Gorochu in the final versions of Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, and Pokémon Green due to game-balancing issues.
SOURCE: aDrive
SOURCE: aDrive
6. Weekend trivia
Mythical Pokémon are known for starring in the Pokémon movies. Which two Mythical Pokémon have never been featured in a full-length movie: Victini & Celebi, Manaphy & Magearna, Meloetta & Phione, or Marshadow & Mew?
Voters were very split. The correct answer is Meloetta & Phione.
Voters were very split. The correct answer is Meloetta & Phione.