After the massive success of its Halloween and Thanksgiving events, it is almost a certainty that Pokemon GO would hold a special event for the 2016 Holidays as well. With slight in-game tweaks being rolled out on a consistent basis, as well as the impending tie-in promotion with coffee giant Starbucks, it seems like Niantic is making sure that Pokemon GO would have a very eventful December.
Recently, a Slashgear report referenced an alleged leak that outlined a possible Holiday 2016 event for Pokemon GO . According to the leak, players of the hit mobile augmented reality game would be wise to stock up on Pidgeys in order to rack up on XP and to increase the chances of getting Ditto, the most recent creature that has been added to the game. Apart from this, the report also outlined several Pokemon that would most likely see a spike in their spawn rates.
One of the reasons why the recently-held Halloween event was such a huge success for Pokemon GO was the fact that it made a number of otherwise rare Pokemon accessible to the general public. Thus, during the duration of the in-game event, even casual players who only access Pokemon GO from time to time were able to acquire creatures such as Haunter, Gengar, and Gastly, which were conventionally a bit more elusive on the game than the usual Zubat and Rattata.
Found the perfect #Christmas tree ? #Pokémon #nintendo #canon pic.twitter.com/9r2Uihc8jJ
— Captain Dangerous (@CaptDangerous64) December 5, 2016
With this in mind, numerous PoGO fans are speculating that Niantic would implement something very similar for the 2016 Holidays, especially since Christmas and New Year’s would be happening just a week apart. Considering that in-game events usually follow a theme, it would then make sense if Pokemon GO ‘s Christmas event would feature a spike in the spawn rates of monsters such as Staryu, Starmie, Clafairy, Clafable, Seel, Dewgong, and Snorlax. While these speculations remain unconfirmed, a boost in the spawn rates of these Pokemon would definitely help the game gain back old players and attract new gamers.
Apart from this, speculations are also high that the Pokemon GO Christmas event would see the augmented reality game implement a system that reduces the number of steps players are required to take in order to earn candies and complete other pertinent in-game tasks. This particular feature would most likely be rolled out, especially since Niantic would need to introduce a new incentive for Pokemon GO players to walk around outside as temperatures continue to drop this December. Considering that schools would most likely be on break for the last weeks of December, rolling out the Christmas event would definitely be a strategic move for Niantic.
December has already seen a number of updates from Pokemon GO . Prestige points for training Pokemon in friendly gyms have already been reverted back to their old values, and the recently leaked December 8 Pokemon GO -Starbucks tie-in promotion has been all but confirmed. Over the past few days, more and more leaks of the mobile game’s partnership with the coffee giant have emerged, with seemingly legitimate documents being posted across the internet.
So the evidence is there (via Starbucks/Silph Road/Reddit) that new Pokemon will be released into the game THIS THURSDAY! #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/Lha9DqViq1
— Matt (@pokemongoLDN_) December 6, 2016
A Pocket-Lint report described the PoGO Starbucks tie-in as a multi-faceted promotion that involves stores across the country being turned into Pokestops, the launch of a special Pokemon GO -themed Starbucks frappuccino, and the rollout of a new Pokemon. Among the alleged contents of the Starbucks promotion, it is the introduction of a new creature that has managed to set the Pokemon GO community on fire, with numerous fans speculating that it might pertain to the rollout of Generation 2 creatures, the Gen 1 legendary birds, or the introduction of shiny Pokemon.
While these are all possible, speculations are also high that it would be unlikely for Niantic to roll out such an important Pokemon GO update as a simple promotional tie-in with a coffee firm. Considering the gravity and importance of the Gen 2 and Gen 1 legendaries to the game, it would make more sense if Niantic would roll them out sometime later, as a massive in-game event.
With this in mind, numerous fans are speculating that the Starbucks promotion would most likely see the late, albeit official introduction of Ditto to the game, especially since many fans noted that the Pokemon GO -themed Starbucks drink that was recently leaked had the same color as the shape-shifting monster. Others, on the other hand, suspect that the new monster referenced in the leaked Starbucks memo would most likely feature a monster that has never seen before.
Here’s a Togepi just to remind everyone that this Pokémon is freakin adorable! pic.twitter.com/nxZxuO2RTH
— Lady Cran (@LassTrainer) November 13, 2016
With Gen 2 monsters and Gen 1 legendaries most likely being reserved for a later event, some avid Pokemon GO fans are speculating that the Pokemon which is set to be introduced with the Starbucks tie-in would be no other than Togepi, the Egg-type Pokemon that was introduced in the anime’s initial run back in the 90s. After all, there are a number of compelling reasons why it would be best for Niantic to roll out the creature earlier than the rest of Gen 2.
Togepi is actually part of Pokemon Generation 2, but the cute little critter was introduced earlier than the rest of its group. While Togepi has not really been mentioned much among dedicated Pokemon GO forums, there is a pretty fair chance that Niantic might roll out the new creature on the December 8 tie-in promotion with the coffee firm. It would actually make sense for Togepi to be introduced a bit earlier than the rest of Generation 2, especially since the Pokemon was featured earlier in the animated TV series anyway. If Niantic does this, avid Pokemon fans would surely appreciate the new Pokemon’s addition.
The Pokemon GO Christmas event is most definitely coming, and from what could be determined so far, it might very well be the most important in-game event that Niantic has ever rolled out. With holiday bonuses, increased spawn rates and the possibility of a new Pokemon being introduced in line with the leaked Starbucks event, the popular augmented reality game might very well experience a resurgence in popularity and influence before the end of the year.
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