Pokemon GO
Shiny Magikarps will be sticking around, though the “Pokemon GO” Water Festival event has ended. They are not like the Pikachu Party Hats that disappeared after the event concluded. They are more like Dittos, a rarity that will continue in the game. Facebook/Pokémon GO

Niantic’s Japan staff has confirmed a mega “Pokemon GO” event this Summer, possibly July 2017. Yoshiji Kawashima, Niantic’s Asian General Manager, and Kenji Suka, Asian General Marketing Manager, have recently revealed about their July 2017 plans and new in-game mechanics.

The release date for the event is still a mystery though. Players believe that the developer may finally introduce the Legendary creatures, where they will have to work together as a team to capture them. Kawashima played it safe stating that the update is nearly here and that players should look forward to it. Engineers are reportedly working hard on the new functions. Some of the hugely-anticipated mechanics are PvP Battles, trading and co-operative raids. All these may not be released at one go though.

Smaller-scale events, such as the Water Festival, will keep hitting the game so that players do not leave the app. The currently active Easter Eggstravaganza is already a hit. The Easter event started on April 13 and will continue till April 20. It includes the two kilometre egg list. It introduced new creatures in two kilometre Eggs, increased Candy drops from all Eggs, doubled XP increase, with Lucky Eggs doubling again for 4x gains and reduced cost of Lucky Eggs by 50 percent in the store.

A greater variety of Pokemon has started appearing in two kilometre Eggs. This means Pokemon from five kilometres and 10 kilometres categories are temporarily appearing in two kilometre Eggs. It also includes some rare creatures. Interestingly, Gen 2 starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile have also started to appear in five kilometres Eggs. It is unknown if these changes will remain when the “Pokemon GO” Easter event concludes. Eurogamer has provided a detailed list of Pokemon and more information on double XP bonuses.

“We continue to be inspired by the passion of the 65+ million people from around the world playing Pokemon Go each month. We’re still at the beginning of the journey and there’s a lot more to come. With spring arriving in the northern hemisphere, players can look forward to all new cooperative social gameplay experiences in Pokemon Go that will give Trainers new and exciting reasons to get back into the sunshine,” Pokemon GO Hub reported last week.

A lot is being said about the raid system that is reportedly going online this Summer. It seems like a natural extension of the daily reward system. Players will finally have an alternative to just hunting Pocket Monsters. Stay tuned on IBT AU for more updates on “Pokemon GO.”

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