A recent datamine of Pokémon GO suggests that players may soon enjoy the return of popular Pokémon events and in-game rewards, adding fresh excitement to the beloved mobile game.
According to the datamine, Pokémon events like the Pokémon Contest, which allows trainers to showcase their Pokémon and form three-Pokémon teams, could be making a comeback. The last time these contests were held was during the Pokémon GO Tour: Johto Contest competition in January 2022. The upcoming contest iteration is rumored to emphasize the “comparing sizes” aspect of competing Pokémon.
Pokémon Contests first appeared in the Gen 3 Pokémon games and were incorporated into Pokémon GO in 2022 through the Johto Tour. These contests take place in dedicated Contest Halls, featuring categories such as Cool, Cute, and Tough, where trainers and their Pokémon compete to demonstrate their skills. During the Johto Tour, participants were evaluated based on their avatar design’s themes, composition, and originality. Top winners advanced to the next round, where they faced off against each other with their Pokémon teams.
PokeMiners, a group dedicated to analyzing Pokémon GO’s code with each update, conducted the datamine. Their findings indicate that players will receive rewards for each event and must claim them. This suggests that contests will provide in-game rewards instead of temporarily turning players into NPCs.
Furthermore, the datamine revealed that a player’s chances of winning a contest might hinge on their Pokémon’s size. PokeMiners stated that new actions specifically check for size, encouraging players to hold onto their XXL and XXS Pokémon. Seasons were also mentioned to impact contests, and the game’s code included references to a schedule, implying that contests could become a permanent feature, much like the GO Battle League.
While Pokémon GO players eagerly anticipate the potential return of Pokémon Contests, it’s important to remember that there is no official confirmation from the game’s developers at this time. In light of recent Pokémon GO updates that have disappointed some players, the reception of the contests remains to be seen.
Similar events in other video games include seasonal events in games like Overwatch and Fortnite, where players can participate in limited-time activities and earn exclusive in-game rewards. These events help to keep the player base engaged and excited about new content.
Pokémon GO is available for download on Android and iOS devices.