The Pokémon World Championships frequently unveil key updates for competitive gameplay, affecting strategies and introducing new items such as Room Service. Niantic's gradual content rollout in Pokémon GO has allowed for the slow integration of creatures, gimmicks, and strategies. Fans of Generation 8 might soon see Dynamax and Gigantamax features in Pokémon GO, with potential announcements at the Pokémon World Championships in 2024.

In recent years, the Pokémon World Championships have often featured significant announcements, including previews of upcoming titles, DLC, and updates for key games like Pokémon Unite. These announcements typically focus on competitive aspects of the franchise, such as introducing items like Room Service that alter established strategies in other titles. Given Pokémon GO's continuous evolution since its release in 2016, it's crucial for the game to be included in these updates.

Figure 1. Pokémon GO Can’t Delay One Feature Much Longer

Given the vast number of creatures, gimmicks, and strategies in a game that blends the real world with the Pokémon universe, Niantic's drip-feed approach to content updates for Pokémon GO makes sense. Starting with the original 150 Pokémon allowed Niantic to manage the massive task of integrating six generations of Pokémon. This approach also provided a way to introduce new Pokémon, events, and gimmicks gradually, though some received more attention than others. Figure 1 shows Pokémon GO Can’t Delay One Feature Much Longer.

Fans of Generation 8 have been waiting for five long years for Dynamax, Gigantamax, and other features to appear in Pokémon GO

The Galar Region has been overlooked in updates for the past five years

Generation 8’s presence in Pokémon GO is unusual, given the game's history of adding new Pokémon to celebrate recent releases. However, the Galar Region remains the least represented, with most Generation 8 Pokémon being regional forms added to promote Pokémon Sword and Shield when they launched in 2019. Many players were hopeful for events tied to Galar, its Pokédex, and its Dynamax feature, but these elements have been overlooked as other regions took the spotlight.

While Mega Evolution is currently the only battle gimmick in Pokémon GO, the lack of Dynamax has been particularly frustrating. This is especially true given that regional forms of Kanto Pokémon were added for marketing, but no further Galar features followed. The evolutionary lines of Scorbunny, Grookey, and Sobble are still missing, despite every other starter line, including those from Paldea, being available. Even with regional forms added to introduce Paldea’s Pokémon during Generation 9, fans of Galar have been left waiting as Pokémon Sword and Shield approach their fifth anniversary.

Why fans of Pokémon Sword and Shield should pay close attention to the Pokémon World Championships 2024

Fortunately for fans of Dynamax and Gigantamax, or Galar in general, the feature has been hinted at through Pokémon GO's 8th anniversary artwork, and recent updates have uncovered in-progress assets. It appears that Dynamax and Gigantamax might be coming to the game soon. The Pokémon World Championships would be an ideal venue for announcing this feature, so players should stay alert around the time of the event’s closing ceremonies.

Galar has long been sidelined in favor of other regions and features, making the 5th anniversary of Pokémon Sword and Shield a prime opportunity for Niantic to focus on Galar content. With much of it still missing from the game, the upcoming seasons could offer a chance to address these gaps and enhance the celebration. Even if Dynamax, Gigantamax, and other Galar Pokémon aren't announced at the championships, hopefully, Niantic will not keep fans waiting much longer.

Source: GAMERANT

Cite this article:

Janani R (2024), Pokémon GO Can’t Delay One Feature Much Longer, AnaTechmaz, pp. 58