New Pokemon GO! Paid Event to Continue as Planned, for Now

It’s Time for the End of March Pokemon GO! Genesect Event

A little while back, Niantic released a patch for Pokemon GO! with quality of life improvements to make it easier to distance yourself while still catchin’ em’ all socially. This was a fantastic idea and seemed a real step in the right direction. Especially when the games’ bottom line is based entirely on going outside. They also postponed the March community day for similar reasons. As such, it was up in the air whether or not they would still release their monthly paid event. Well, with it one day away, we seem to have our answer, at least according to Gamespot.

Even with the future of the global quarantines uncertain, the pay to play ($8 USD) March 20th Genesect event, A Drive to Investigate, looks like it will still be happening.

Are you ready for Genesect’s debut in Pokémon GO? Genesect’s Special Research story event is starting soon! pic.twitter.com/kpkbkwtGXe

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) March 19, 2020

It is, however, a strange decision.

These sorts of Pokemon GO! events are more or less the exact opposite of the safety and isolation measures cited in their recent patches. They heavily implement raids, in particular X Raids, which you cannot do without going to a reasonably popular/crowded location. Nobody is going to spend real money on an event key and not go outside. They do know that, right? Saying one thing and doing another is par for the course for many entertainment corporations to be sure, but did this of all things really need to happen right now?

Possible Event Changes

Admittedly, there is a fine print which states that “Events may vary in certain areas until further notice” They also say that they are still “Prioritizing updates to Pokémon GO! features and experiences that can be enjoyed in individual settings.” But that only begs the question of “why” even more. At the top of the release, you announce a hard date to go with the price and then at the end have a “but also maybe not though” caveat. It feels sloppy and ill-timed. Especially when we’re one day out from the event, proper and isolation procedures only seem to be increasing across the world instead of decreasing.

Hopefully, Niantic is sincere, and this tweaks this event accordingly before launch and implementation beginning at 8 AM local time on March 20 through 10 PM local time on March 30. So far, however, the only set in stone update comes from Newsweek, stating that the only Special Research outdoor requirement is hatching eggs, but that’s still an outdoor requirement. The raids also still appear to be in effect. 

For more information, see the following link, and be safe if you go out raiding:  https://pokemongolive.com/post/genesectspecialresearch

Pokemon GO! download information can be found here: https://www.pokemon.com/us/app/pokemon-go/