Pokémon has been around since July 2016 and since then it has had some major developments. Its best year so far is 2018, with its epic amount of events and major updates. If you are someone who deleted the game early on or just someone who never gave it a try, I give you 13 reasons to change your mind!
1. They added friends
Fans have been asking since the games launch back in 2016 for some sort of friends feature. Well finally Niantic has followed through with an update they launched last month. Gifts was introduced in the addition of the friend feature. When you spin a stop you have the chance to receive a gift to send to one of your friends. The friend receives the gift along with a postcard from the stop you got it from. I personally love postcards and therefore, adore this feature!
2. Trading is finally here
The day finally came along with the friends update, that made players dreams come true. We could all finally trade together! All those terrible IV Pokémon now finally have a purpose. Niantic explained that Pokémon which are traded will have there IVs and Combat Points randomized giving the lil' guy a new chance at a better life. You can only trade with someone near you and it costs stardust which will vary based on if it's a special trade and what your friendship level with that specific person is.
3. Quests bring the adventurer out in all of us
When Niantic dropped the quest system earlier this year it was a much-needed update to keep players entertained and to generate new app downloads. When spinning a Pokéstop, players will receive a quest for them to complete for a reward. It could be berries or a Pokémon sighting. After seven days of completing at least one quest a day, you get a research breakthrough where a rare Pokémon spawns for you to catch. The quest update is an embodiment of the game's values. "Pokémon Go" is about getting out in your community exploring and getting to know other people. Quests really encouraged players to embrace that.
4. Community Days = a total blast with shiny Pokémon
Once a month, Niantic picks a day, and during a-three-hour period, increases the chance of catching a specific Pokémon. My favorite so far was the larvitar community day. On top of an increased spawn rate, the chance of finding a shiny is also increased. If you evolve the Pokémon to its max evolution during the event then you receive a special move for it that can't be received at any other time. Overall community day has lived up to its name. In my town, the "Pokémon Go" community gets together and throws a potluck on the day of the event. I'm an out-of-state college student and "Pokémon Go" has definitely made me feel more a part of the community especially thanks to the monthly community days Niantic throws. Eevee will be the Pokémon featured during the August community day, which will be the first month to be a two-day event. Starting on Saturday, August 11th and then the second day is Sunday, August 12th.
5. World wide events make this an international community
Niantic is hosting three large events this summer. The first took place in Europe last month, the second is Go Fest which took place in Chicago, Illinois, July 14-15, and the third which was postponed due to bad weather will be in Japan. These events take place at a specific location encouraging members of the game to come out and experience a day with fellow players. With Go Fest, they only sold so many tickets and while the ticket system was flawed, this year it seems as if they're a lot more prepared then they were in 2017 when they attempted the event for the first time. These events promote the games values and further push players to fulfill the purpose of "Pokémon Go," which is to get you out in a community playing together.
6. The players are diverse and welcoming
In my local community, there is such a diverse group of players. The age range is from young kids to older adults. My dad, Doyle, is in his 40s and plays the game with my brother and I. The personality of the people who play also varies. If you are afraid of not fitting in and not being the "type" who plays this game you're wrong. "Pokémon Go" is a very supportive, welcoming, and inclusive community that welcomes and accepts all. “When we went downtown to the waterfront [for community day] it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon so there were a lot of people down there. I bet half of them were playing! I witnessed the most strangely diverse group of people participating in the same event that I have ever seen," explained my dad.
7. Pokémon Go brings people together
I got my dad to join the game from 2000 miles away and now we send gifts to each other daily. He sends me messages about his daily catches sometimes and we talk about the Pokémon we want to find. Back home, my brother and he go out and play together. This past community day for squirtle, they went downtown in Portland, Oregon where they said they saw a lot of other players. My boyfriend and I play "Pokémon Go" together. It makes us a closer, stronger couple. At night we will lie in our bed and trade Pokémon before we go to sleep. It's also introduced me to so many people I probably wouldn't have met otherwise. I could name even more examples that show how the game has brought me and those around me closer. I encourage you to give it a try and see what relationships you build by playing.
8. Adorable, exclusive event Pokémon
In honor of "Pokémon Go's" two-year anniversary, Niantic introduced an adorable pikachu sporting an equally adorable straw hat. This isn't the first special version of pikachu to be found in the wild for a limited amount of time. They had party hat pikachu and Santa clause hat pikachu. Niantic's introduction of limited time Pokémon like the hat wearing pikachus give you a reason to stay on so you can "catch them all!"
9. Nostalgia
As adults, we look back at the days of our childhood thinking it's all in the past. Many of us grew up with some generation of the Pokémon franchise and Niantic is slowly adding them all to "Pokémon Go." Next up is generation 4. It keeps the game new and moving while also allowing us all to reminisce about the Pokémon games and shows we had growing up.
10. Niantic isn’t slowing down
The number of updates and events Niantic has done so far in 2018 has grown exponentially in comparison to the other years. They keep the game updated at a rapid pace keeping it interesting for players.
11. Raids encourage community and exploration
Raids were an addition to the game that offers the opportunity to catch Pokémon that are rare or uncommon. They have five tiers with one-star raids being the easiest. If you defeat the Pokémon in a battle you are then offered the opportunity to catch said Pokémon. Five-star raids which tend to change monthly consist of legendaries. They cannot be defeated alone and depending on your level and your Pokémon can take numerous people. One of the hardest I've participated in so far required a minimum of eight players, most of them being in the high 30s or already level 40.
12. Regionals are one more reason to travel the world
If "Pokémon Go" didn't already make it clear they encourage exploration, then regionals definitely solidified that. Regionals are Pokémon that only show up in certain parts of the world. To complete your Pokédex you'll either need to trade with a friend who went to a different continent or travel there yourself. I'm definitely not complaining about having another reason to go out and travel. Although traveling is the main way to catch them all there have been instances where Niantic has had regionals travel to other areas for event purposes.
13. It’s free!
While yes, like most apps, there are in-game purchases, but you don't need them. If I ever do buy anything, I use money I've earned from survey apps or coins I've earned in the game. You can earn up to 50 coins a day by having a Pokémon in a gym. This allows you to save up for things you may want to buy in the shop such as the special boxes full of supplies that they release for events. Or just never buy anything from the shop and you'll still be able to experience an enjoyable game experience.
"Pokémon Go" isn't slowing down and with the release of the Pokémon switch game this next fall that is said will be compatible with the phone game "Pokémon Go," there's even more reasons to download it. Get on out there in your community, catch some Pokémon, explore the world, and make some new friends!
