Pokémon Go: Digital Fest Details!

Niantic has now released more details of the way the Annual Pokemon Go Fest will work this year given the health circumstances impacting everyone globally! In the past, Pokémon Go trainers would descent upon the city of Chicago to celebrate the annual event. Unfortunately, it was always limited given the constraints of the event location at the parks chosen so many could not attend just because they could not find a ticket. Also, many around the world could not spend the money to travel and lodge to the city to participate However, this year it will be different!

The circumstances this year have allowed Niantic to test new ways for players around the world to engage with the community within the game. A number of Safari Zone events which are similar in nature to the Fest event had to adjust to the social distancing reality among players. After making adjustments to the game itself to facilitate a more local game, Niantic also made the benefits of the Safari Zone events available to ticket holders no matter where they were in the world. The spawns for those players were special and many had great feedback from their participations in these events. It seems that this has a enabled them to take this step for the Annual Pokémon Go Fest Event!

The digital ticket is now available in the game store for $14.99 and will not only allow an unlimited amount of players to play but will also extend their experience to both days. In the past, players visiting the Event would only be able to play on one specific day. Also, each day will provide different experiences for 10 hours! Both days will have different Special Research Stories for players. The first day will feature a rotation of different Pokémon types every hour for 5 hours (will repeat once). In all, 75 species of Pokémon will be available to encounter during these two days.

The Event will also feature the traditional global challenges where players will join forces to achieve milestones and achievements to gain bonuses for players like extra Stardust or XP. With the improvements in game interface we have seen this year, I am sure that they will be interactive and fun to track and monitor. They also announced that the second day will feature a secret event to surprise players! Many wonder what it could be given how much they continue to develop and evolve the game!

I have already bought my ticket as I seek to catch rare Pokémon to get closer to completing my Pokedex. As usual, they have signaled that increase rare spawns, shiny Pokemons, and regional Pokemons are likely to be seen from wherever we are playing (as long as we have a ticket). Now, I will have to make some important decisions like where I will be playing for those two days and how will I make space for new additions to the Pokdex by then!