What Happened to Pokemon Go’s In-Game Events?

Pokemon Go‘s summer of raiding has come with an unexpected cost: the disappearance of in-game events. Last October, Pokemon Go introduced the first in a series of successful in-game events, typically with holiday themes. The Halloween event gave players a chance to catch and evolve Pokemon that they wouldn’t have a chance to typically find in their neighborhoods, along with perks like double candies.

For months, these in-game events were Pokemon Go‘s salvation as interest from casual fans waned. The events provided a much needed break for the monotony of the game’s first year and gave players a chance to re-live some of the fun and excitement that comes from catching that rare Pokemon or reaching that big in-game milestone.

However, it’s been almost two months since Pokemon Go last held an in-game event. After announcing an “Anniversary Event” featuring a new variant version of Pikachu and extending the in-game rewards that came out of Pokemon Go Fest, the game’s focus has moved onto raiding, a relatively new feature for the game. Fans were hopeful that a new event would be announced sometime this month, but we’re approaching the point where Halloween would be the next likely window for an event.

Why In-Game Events are Necessary for Pokemon Go

While the new gym system is more accessible and raids add a level of excitement and urgency to Pokemon Go, focusing on those at the expense of in-game events seems unnecessarily alienating for a lot of players. Although the Legendary Raids give players a chance to capture powerful Legendary Pokemon, they do have their limitations. For instance, you need multiple players to participate in most raids, and you need to live in an area where a gym is easily accessible. That eliminates most rural players, as well as folks who play Pokemon Go mainly in “non-peak” hours.

In-game events don’t have the same limitations that raids do and still give players a feeling of accomplishment. Tons of players were thrilled to finally get that Gengar last October, and players still had that level of excitement when they collected enough Magikarp to get a Gyarados or caught enough Geodude to grab a Golem.

There’s also less frustration around in-game events compared to raids. Dealing with network glitches in a raid or a Raid group that brings Chansey to a Mewtwo fight is never fun, nor is repeatedly failing to catch a Legendary Pokemon due to their incredibly low catch rate.

Between the in-game perks, the chance to find new Pokemon, and the excuse to play Pokemon Go during holidays, events are a sort of pure “fun” that raids and battling seem to miss.

Will Events Ever Come Back?

Pokemon Go seems set on bolstering its new raid mechanic and is hard at work adding Gen 3 Pokemon and adding other new features. While new features and improving the game are important, Pokemon Go shouldn’t forget to take care of its userbase too. Raids are fun, but they get just as repetitive as other parts of the game, especially now that we’re cycling down to one new Legendary Pokemon per month and Mewtwo is still being tested in the game.

Events give players something to do besides chase after Legendaries. They put an emphasis on catching Pokemon and other aspects of the game that have been forgotten in the rush to collect coins and beat Raid Bosses. Pokemon Go needs events to keep the game balanced. Let’s hope we get a new event soon.

Poll