Latest news with #PokemonGo
Android Authority
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I returned to Pokémon Go after 4 years, and it's just as painful to play as ever
Megan Ellis / Android Authority I've been playing Pokémon Go on and off since the day the mobile game came out in 2016. As a result, I've seen its changes over the years — from the introduction of new creatures to catch, the launch of community days and raids, and plenty of other new features. But there's a reason that I would take breaks from the game, including my four-year pause between 2021 and 2025. Pokémon Go has an accessibility problem. When I started playing it again a few weeks ago, I was disappointed to find that these issues have still not been resolved. Do you still play Pokémon Go? 0 votes Yes NaN % No NaN % Pokémon Go is more difficult to play for certain people Megan Ellis / Android Authority Pokémon Go's premise as an augmented reality (AR) mobile game is really interesting and encourages people to go out and explore the areas around them. But certain mechanics make the game more difficult for people to play, especially when it comes to the need to walk certain distances. The game can be particularly challenging to people with disabilities and certain chronic illnesses. As my pain disorder has gotten worse over the years and I've developed chronic migraines, the game's inaccessibility continues to pose a significant barrier. But disabled people aren't the only ones left out. People who live in rural areas and areas with crime also face challenges playing the game. In rural areas, the density of Pokéstops and gyms can be really low. Meanwhile, if you live in an area with crime, walking around with your phone out isn't feasible. The game is difficult to play for people with disabilities and chronic illness, as well as those that live in rural areas or places with crime. While I don't live in a rural area, the density of gyms and stops where I live is noticeably low. My friend who stays in a small mining town has remarked on this low density, even though his town also has few stops. I also live in an area where crime is significant — so even when I have the energy to take a walk, I mostly walk around the park in my complex rather than venture out into the streets where I have had several bad encounters. I've also seen screenshots from places like Santa Monica in the US and Osaka in Japan where the density of stops and gyms is astounding. Even in Cape Town's busy malls and large public spaces, this type of density isn't seen. The pandemic showed us a more accessible game is possible Joe Hindy / Android Authority Pokémon Go saw a resurgence during the COVID-19 lockdown. People had more time on their hands, but weren't venturing out as much. As a result, we saw the introduction of remote raid passes and a larger radius that allowed you to interact with stops and gyms from further away. But by June 2021, Niantic reversed many of these changes — as detailed in a blog post by the company. It removed the increased incense effectiveness and the increased distance for interacting with gyms and stops. It also later introduced features like Routes and a Go Pass that place an emphasis on walking certain distances. Even the free daily incense players now receive only works if you're moving (and circling your apartment won't suffice). The pandemic saw significant changes to the game, but many of these were reversed. Remote raid passes are still in the game, but you no longer get them from spinning gym discs. While you may rarely get them from research breakthroughs, they're now mostly a paid item. There are ways to earn coins in Pokémon Go, but this depends heavily on your ability to visit gyms and place your Pokémon there. While many will argue that moving is the entire point of Pokémon Go, the game's premium purchases show that accessibility is available in the name of monetization. I can get multiple incubators, as well as incubators that require less walking to hatch an egg, so long as I buy them. Pokéballs are also available for purchase. If you buy the deluxe pass for the month, you also get significantly more rewards for the same amount of effort as free players (such as 50 balls instead of 15 at the beginning of July's Tier 2 stage of the pass). Pokémon Go is leaving out a lot of potential players Ryan Haines / Android Authority I keep coming back to Pokémon Go, so what I really want is the developers to meet me (and many others) half way. Right now, many players resort to spoofing to access areas with more stops, play with friends, and cover certain distances in the game. But this can land you with a ban — and I'm not really comfortable with side-loading an app when I don't know the trustworthiness of the source. Increasing accessibility benefits everyone and would probably encourage a lot more players to log onto the game. This could also increase revenue — in fact, 2020 became Pokémon Go's highest-grossing year at the time and, according to Statista, remains its top year. I occasionally spend money in Pokémon Go. I'd spend more money if I knew I was able to really engage with the game more, rather than facing so many frustrations due to where I live. But right now, I hoard items because I don't know when I'll feel well enough to go to the few places that include gyms and stops. I know I'd spend more on the game if I could meaningfully engage in it, rather than hoarding key items. There are a few things that the developers could do to improve the game for players facing similar challenges. The ability to trade with friends from far away is one potential avenue. Allowing players to gift specific items to their friends could also help balance things out. Reducing the distance to interact with stops would be great. My current solution is to attempt to nominate a Pokéstop near my apartment, but I need to be level 37 to do this, and I've been stuck at 36 for a very long time. But this won't help with the overall density of Pokéstops in the area, since submissions need to be located on public property and at a point of interest. To the game's credit, my Route submission, which aimed to give people a short route that is quieter and more accessible than the current ones in my neighborhood, was accepted. But I do think the game needs changes to make it easier for people to play in general since a lot of people are left out. I might need to accept that Pokémon Go will never be a game I can meaningfully engage in due to my health challenges and where I live. But this doesn't mean I'll stop hoping that the developers will make efforts to include more people. Lockdown showed us that this was possible, and the game earned more than ever during that time. Follow
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
First permanent Pokemon theme park to open in Tokyo
A man and his child look at Pokemon characters displayed at Seokchon Lake in Seoul on April 26, 2024.--AFP The wildly popular Pokemon franchise will open its first permanent theme park in Tokyo in spring 2026, the Pokemon Company -- a subsidiary of Japanese gaming giant Nintendo -- announced. Japan has welcomed a record influx of visitors in recent months, boosting demand for tourist attractions, including a 'Making of Harry Potter' film-studio park that opened in Tokyo in 2023. Named 'PokePark Kanto,' the new 2.6-hectare (6.4-acre) area will be located within Yomiuri Land, the Japanese capital's largest amusement park, the company said Tuesday. 'We want to create a space where Pokemon are always present and where people can have fun with them,' its chief creative fellow Junichi Masuda said in a video announcement. The park will have two areas: a Pokemon 'forest' described as a 'spacious wilderness' and an area for shopping and rides. Pokemon became a global hit after its 1996 launch as a role-playing game for Nintendo's handheld Game Boy console. Inspired by the Japanese summer childhood tradition of bug-collecting, players catch and train in battle hundreds of round-eyed 'pocket monsters' inspired by everything from mice to dragons. The franchise also includes movies, an animated TV show, and the 'Pokemon Go' augmented-reality mobile game.—AFP
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
First permanent Pokemon theme park to open in Tokyo
TOKYO — The wildly popular Pokemon franchise will open its first permanent theme park in Tokyo in spring 2026, the Pokemon Company—a subsidiary of Japanese gaming giant Nintendo—announced. Japan has welcomed a record influx of visitors in recent months, boosting demand for tourist attractions, including a "Making of Harry Potter" film-studio park that opened in Tokyo in 2023. Named "PokePark Kanto," the new 2.6-hectare (6.4-acre) area will be located within Yomiuri Land, the Japanese capital's largest amusement park, the company said Tuesday. "We want to create a space where Pokemon are always present and where people can have fun with them," its chief creative fellow Junichi Masuda said in a video announcement. The park will have two areas: a Pokemon "forest" described as a "spacious wilderness" and an area for shopping and rides. Pokemon became a global hit after its 1996 launch as a role-playing game for Nintendo's handheld Game Boy console. Inspired by the Japanese summer childhood tradition of bug-collecting, players catch and train in battle hundreds of round-eyed "pocket monsters" inspired by everything from mice to dragons. The franchise also includes movies, an animated TV show, and the "Pokemon Go" augmented-reality mobile game. — Agence France-Presse
CNET
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Pokemon Presents July 2025: Everything Announced
It's that time again, trainers: Grab your Pokedex and get ready to catch some new pocket monsters, because we've just been treated to a healthy heaping of the latest developments in the world of Pokemon. Today's Pokemon Presents stream was the first one since Pokemon Day in February. That stream ended up being pretty massive, featuring game announcements and content updates that we heard whispers about from GameFreak's infamous 2024 data breach. Read more: The Top 25 Best Pokemon Games of All Time, Ranked This time around, we were treated to a new mobile game announcement, a TV show reveal and the unveiling of a brand-new Pokemon theme park in Japan. If that isn't enough, this Pokemon Direct featured a smattering of mobile game updates and information about big releases like Pokemon Champions and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Here's everything that got announced during July's Pokemon Presents, what we wanted to see from the stream and how to watch the archived video for yourself. Substantial updates were announced for the biggest Pokemon mobile games, including Pokemon Go. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET Everything announced during Pokemon Presents July 2025 This Pokemon Presents stream introduced us to a new theme park, a new game, info for Pokemon Champions and Pokemon Legends: Z-A and loads of free stuff for existing titles. Here's everything that was announced in July's Pokemon Presents. PokePark Kanto Enjoy touching grass at PokePark Kanto, the first permanent outdoor Pokemon attraction. Located in Tokyo's Tama Hills, PokePark Kanto is a new addition to the Yomiuriland amusement park. This segment of the park will be split into two distinct parts. You can frolic through the Pokemon Forest and find statues of your favorite generation one Pokemon in the wild, or you can shop and meet fellow trainers in the Sedge Town, which features a Pokemon gym, a parade and other attractions. PokePark Kanto is slated to open in 2026, but tickets will go on sale later this year. The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu Pokemon Concierge isn't the only Pokemon animated show coming out soon. Aardman Animation Studios -- the creators of Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and other stop-motion classics -- is partnering up with The Pokemon Company to create a new show, The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu. While the show doesn't have an official release date yet, it's slated to come out in 2027. Pokemon Friends A new Pokemon mobile game is coming out soon. In Pokemon Friends, players will solve daily puzzles to unlock Pokemon plushes. These rewards can be placed around a cozy virtual room. The game looks like a mix between a free gachapon machine and a casual brain trainer, which is an interesting genre blend. In my eyes, Pokemon Friends could be a great bridge between parents and their children as an introduction to the world famous pocket monsters. Pokemon Champions We got our first routine update on Pokemon Champions, a game first introduced during Pokemon Day 2025. This dedicated battling game will come to Nintendo Switch and iOS and Android devices. During today's Pokemon Presents stream, we found out that new quality-of-life features will make competitive battling easier than ever before. Players will be able to tweak a Pokemon's IV (individual value) and EV (effort value) stats and nature on the fly, gaining full control over how the monster will perform in battle. In addition, you'll have a chance to draft Pokemon to your team from within Pokemon Champions, foregoing a complete dependence on the Pokemon Home app. Pokemon Legends: Z-A The trickle down of information about the next Pokemon Legends game continues. Today's stream confirmed one of Legends: Z-A's new Mega Pokemon: Mega Dragonite. He has floppy ears and a pearl on his tail, which mimic the appearance of Dragonair. The other big Pokemon Legends: Z-A reveal showcased rogue Mega Pokemon, which will function similarly to in-game raids across the Kalos region. These powerful Pokemon will challenge you to use your wits, Pokemon abilities and AI companions to their fullest potential in order to achieve victory. Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution Following closely on the heels of the specialty Black Bolt and White Flare sets, the Pokemon TCG is focusing in on generation six with Mega Evolution. This aptly named set brings back the signature mechanic from the Kalos region just in time for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. It's unclear whether the setlist will only include Mega Pokemon from past games, or if we'll get a sneak peek at Megas from the new game as well. Pokemon Concierge season 2 Netflix's popular stop-motion slice-of-life Pokemon series has an official release date. You'll be able to watch Pokemon Concierge season 2 on Sept. 4. We also learned some plot details about the second season: as Haru settles into her role at the hotel, her ex-boyfriend shows up, threatening to upend her newfound stability. Only time will tell how she (and her trusty Psyduck pal) deal with this turn of events. Mobile games and live service updates: Pokemon Go, Pokemon Masters Ex and more The most popular Pokemon live service games got a series of rapid-fire updates in the latest Pokemon Direct. Pokemon Go players will soon be able to participate in the finale to 2025's Go Fest Global event. Popular characters from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will soon arrive in Pokemon Masters Ex. A pirate-themed summer event is beginning in Pokemon Cafe Remix, and a new location will soon become available in Pokemon Sleep. Latios and Latias make a legendary debut as playable characters in Pokemon Unite to celebrate the MOBA's fourth anniversary, marking it out as one of the series' most successful live service spinoffs to date. Best of all? There are plenty of free goodies to collect in these games right now. We heard about Pokemon Legends: Z-A today, but no dice when it comes to other Switch 2 games. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET What wasn't announced during Pokemon Presents July 2025? The latest Pokemon Direct had a 24-minute runtime, so we were expecting to see some more new games. Here's everything that didn't make an appearance during the latest Pokemon Presents stream, leaving a Pikachu-shaped hold in my heart. Pokemon rhythm game In retrospect, it feels a bit strange that Pikachu DJ'd a full set before the beginning of this Pokemon Presents stream. The Pokemon Company hyped this up all over social media in the days leading up to the event, and it was definitely a nifty preshow. Still, this Pokemon Presents stream didn't showcase anything especially groundbreaking and new on the gaming front. Why choose to put together an elaborate DJ preshow for this particular stream? It doesn't make much sense to me, since we didn't see a Pikachu-themed rhythm game after all. I miss the Pokemon series' funky console game offshoots. At least I can hold New Pokemon Snap and the Mystery Dungeon remake close to my heart. Pokemon Generation 10: No classic mainline games for the Switch 2 (yet) Mainline Pokemon games generally come out once every three years. Pokemon Sword and Shield came out in 2019 and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet came out in 2022. We're due for generation 10 Pokemon games -- but they've remained noticeably absent from any Pokemon announcements. Maybe this means GameFreak has taken the performance and graphical criticisms of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to heart. It'd be fantastic to turn over a new leaf and get good looking, polished Pokemon games on the Switch 2. In the meantime, Legends: Z-A will provide Pokemon fans with a new adventure to enjoy. Grab a snack and stretch out -- this Pokemon Presents is nearly half an hour long. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET How to watch July 2025's Pokemon Presents stream July's Pokemon Presents stream took place on Tuesday, July 22 at 6 a.m. PT (9 a.m. ET, 2 p.m. BST, 11 p.m. AEST). These announcements were livestreamed on the official Pokemon YouTube channel, where you can still find a video archiving the event. The hour-long DJ Pikachu preshow has also been cataloged on the YouTube channel, so you can still check out the Pikachu rave that preceded this Pokemon Presents stream any time you want. The latest Pokemon Direct had a 24-minute runtime, with Netflix show, mobile game and mainline game news scattered throughout the broadcast.
CNET
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
All the Free Stuff From Today's Pokemon Presents Stream
July's Pokemon Presents didn't feature any major mainline game announcements, but you're eating good if you play one of the Pokemon live service games. Sizable updates are coming to the whole suite of Pokemon mobile games, including Pokemon Go, Pokemon Masters Ex, Pokemon Cafe Remix and Pokemon Sleep (though Pokemon TCG Pocket was left out to dry this time around). New playable characters are coming to Pokemon Unite, and we got additional news about Pokemon Champions and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Even people who don't play too many games got their fill of good news as the release date was revealed for Netflix's Pokemon Concierge. If you have a keen eye, though, you also spotted nearly half a dozen promo codes and free item reveals scattered throughout today's Pokemon Presents stream. But, just in case, here are all the free Pokemon goodies you can redeem right now. Read more: The Top 25 Best Pokemon Games of All Time, Ranked Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET Pokemon Go The next Pokemon Go Fest will be a massive one -- literally. Pokemon Go Fest Global 2025: Max Finale takes place between Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, incentivizing players to take on challenging Gigantamax battles in order to catch the game's newest legendary, Eternatus. In order to gear up for these fights, you can redeem the GOFESTMAX promo code in the Pokemon Go web store to unlock a special timed research to power up your Pokemon box. This research gets you a free Gigantamax Cinderace, Rillaboom or Inteleon, which you can otherwise only catch after battling them in some of the game's hardest raids. Popular characters from Pokemon's generation nine are arriving in Pokemon Masters Ex. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET Pokemon Masters Ex Fan-favorite Scarlet and Violet characters are arriving in Pokemon Masters Ex. You'll have a chance to earn Carmine and her partner Pokemon, Sinistcha, in an upcoming September update. To celebrate the new wave of arrivals, anyone who logs into the game right now will earn 3,000 free gems to use however you like: pull trainers to your heart's content now, or hold onto them until the new characters have joined the roster. Alolan Meowth, Totodile and Minccino join the crew -- and your cafe. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET Pokemon Cafe Remix It's a pirate's life for Lapras in the latest Pokemon Cafe Remix update. Starting July 23, you can earn sea captain Lapras, pirate crew Alolan Meowth, Totodile and Minccino and unlock themed decorations to deck out your cafe. To celebrate all the summery fun, you can recruit a free Jigglypuff with a sun hat staff member by logging in now. A free 11-pull express ticket is also available every day during the duration of the event. These twin legendaries are joining Pokemon Unite's playable roster. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET Pokemon Unite Latios and Latias team up to enter the fray to commemorate Pokemon Unite's fourth anniversary. While Latios joined the battle in a recent update, Latias will become a playable pocket monster on Aug. 8. A new game mode, Electrode Volleyball, is also available for all players to experience now. To celebrate the pocket monster multiplayer online battle arena's anniversary, you can redeem the UNITE0722 promo code to unlock a limited 3-day Latios access pass, a platinum Latios boost emblem and a platinum Latias boost emblem. You can get a snazzy in-game tracksuit with new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet promo codes. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET Pokemon Scarlet and Violet A legendary set of Tera Raids is arriving in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to celebrate the game's free Switch 2 update. Right now, players can fight shiny versions of the Treasures of Ruin. Once the global community collectively defeats Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu and Chi-Yu one million times each, players will be able to catch their shiny variants after the Tera Raids. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players are also able to celebrate the release of the Switch 2 with new character customization unlocks. Use the STRACKSU1T promo code to unlock the tracksuit apparel item in Pokemon Scarlet and the VTRACKSU1T promo code to unlock the outfit in Pokemon Violet. This fan-favorite Psychic-type Pokemon will be integral to your Legends: Z-A journey. Nintendo/Screenshot by CNET Pokemon Legends: Z-A This follow-up game to Pokemon Legends: Arceus comes out on Oct. 16, and we just got our first look at Mega Dragonite and the fearsome Rogue Mega Evolution in-game raid battles. If you already know that you're going to buy Pokemon Legends: Z-A at launch, there are free in-game rewards you can earn ahead of time. Players who purchase the game will earn a free Ralts holding a Gardevoirite, which allows you to unlock the powerful Mega Gardevoir early in the game. If you buy a digital copy of Legends: Z-A, you'll also earn 100 free Pokeballs to do with as you please.
