The Pokémon Company International has announced the Pokémon Day 2017 festivities for the United States. It should be an exciting day for all fans of the franchise. It was also revealed that a new line of Pokémon Gallery Figures will be heading exclusively to the United States Pokémon Center website on Pokémon Day. A special Pikachu will also be appearing in Pokémon Go wearing a party hat to celebrate Pokémon Day.

Celebrate Pokémon Day on February 27

Pokémon Day is February 27, commemorating the launch of the very first Pokémon games in Japan way back in 1996. To celebrate the milestone, several events and promotions are planned, leading up through the big day! The fun starts at the #PokemonDay social hub, where we will be updating a gallery of your Pokémon photo memories. Use the hashtag #PokemonDay to share your best Pokémon moments.

• Pikachu is ready to lead the Pokémon Day celebration in Pokémon GO. From February 26 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 6 at 1:00 p.m. PST, any Pikachu you encounter in the wild will be wearing a festive party hat! The Pikachu you catch during that time will keep its party hat forever, so be sure to look for this special Pikachu during its short time in the wild.
• Pokémon Day marks the debut of the new Gallery Figures collection in the Pokémon Center. The first set includes awesome figures of Eevee, Mew, Magikarp, and Pikachu—each performing its signature attack. These figures were designed specifically for the Pokémon Center, so this is the first time anyone will be able to get their hands on them.
• Starting on Pokémon Day, revisit some of the best big-screen moments of Ash and his friends with a movie marathon on Pokémon TV. For a limited time, watch the original classic Pokémon: The First Movie, as well as Pokémon 4Ever and Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions in their entirety. Remember that you can watch Pokémon TV here on Pokemon.com and on the Pokémon TV mobile apps. But these movies will be available for only a limited time, so don't miss them!
• The Pokémon Trading Card Game Online is starting its Pokémon Day festivities early, with extra Trainer Tokens available on the Bonus Wheel for the entire week leading up to Pokémon Day. Then, be sure to log in to your game on Pokémon Day for an extra-special Daily Bonus. Remember that you can play the Pokémon TCG Online on your computer, iPad, or Android tablet. Battle today and through Pokémon Day for bigger rewards!
• Don't forget that right now you can head to your local participating GameStop store to get a Bottle Cap for your Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon video game. This item lets you boost the individual strength of one of your Pokémon's stats via Hyper Training, making the Pokémon even more ready for your next big battle! Bottle Cap codes will be available at GameStop until March 5.
• Pikachu lends its brilliant features to the new Pikachu Yellow Edition New Nintendo 3DS XL. This limited-edition New Nintendo 3DS XL is launching just a couple of days before Pokémon Day, and it's sure to be popular, so check it out while you can. Visit the product page on Nintendo.com for more details.
• If you're looking for even more Pokémon animation fun for your Pokémon Day celebrations, you can find Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel on the iTunes Store, Google Play, and Amazon Video on February 27. Plus, check out a special Pokémon the Series: Gold & Silver TV episode bundle featuring Ash's adventures throughout the Johto region. With this collection of episodes and the latest Pokémon movie, you'll be ready to host the perfect Pokémon Day party!
• Pokémon Day is a good reminder that big promotions are going on in Pokémon Shuffle, too. The popular Nintendo 3DS game is celebrating two years of challenging fans with puzzle fun. Take a look at the in-game notifications to get more details on these upcoming opportunities.
• Head to Twitch.tv/Pokemon for an all-day celebration of Pokémon competitions, showing many of the most memorable matches from the Pokémon TCG, video games, and Pokkén Tournament from the past several years. See your favorite players from around the globe as we broadcast epic Championship battles, including some from recent Pokémon World Championships.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/celebrate-pokemon-day-on-february-27/

Pikachu Parties in Pokémon GO!

Keep your eye out for a special Pikachu wearing a party hat to celebrate Pokémon Day! Pikachu is ready to lead the Pokémon Day celebration in Pokémon GO. From February 26 at 1:00 p.m. PST to March 6 at 1:00 p.m. PST, any Pikachu you encounter in the wild will be wearing a festive party hat! The Pikachu you catch during that time will keep its party hat forever, so be sure to look for this special Pikachu during its short time in the wild.

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/pikachu-parties-in-pokemon-go/

Put Your Favorite Pokémon on Display

The new Gallery Figures collection launches in the Pokémon Center on Pokémon Day.

Pokémon fans will definitely want to take a look at the new Gallery Figures collection coming to the Pokémon Center on Pokémon Day, February 27. These high-quality figures were created for the Pokémon Center in the United States, meaning this is the first time they have ever been available anywhere in the world.

The first four Gallery Figures depict some well-known Pokémon as they perform an attack: Mew using Psychic, Eevee using Swift, Magikarp using Splash, and Pikachu using its iconic Thunderbolt attack. Each figure is mounted on the same size base, making it easy to put them on display. Plus, this is only the first set of Gallery Figures planned for launch in the Pokémon Center—check back throughout the year for details on upcoming collectibles.

Check out the Pokémon Gallery Figures collection on February 27 in the Pokémon Center!

Source: http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/put-your-favorite-pokemon-on-display/

A new Pokémon app for Apple iOS and Android has been announced and it is called Splash! Magikarp (はねろ！コイキング). The app is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2017 and it is being developed by SELECT BUTTON inc. A website has launched for the app but only teaser information was posted.


Source: http://www.apppokemon.com/koiking/

Niantic has posted the patch notes for Pokémon GO which has been updated to version 0.57.2 for Android and 1.27.2 for iOS.

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.57.2 for Android and 1.27.2 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.57.2 for Android and 1.27.2 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Over 80 additional Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region can be caught.
• Gender-specific variations of select Pokémon can be caught.
• Added new encounter mechanics.
• Added Poké Ball and Berry selection carousels to the encounter screen.
• Added two new Berries.
• Added new avatar outfit and accessory options.
• Added new night-mode map and encounter music.
• Added bonus Candies for catching Evolved Pokémon.
• Implemented Apple Watch connection stability improvement.
• Various bug fixes.
• Minor text fixes.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-021617

According to a new report from the app analytics company Sensor Tower, Pokémon GO has surpassed $1 billion in worldwide gross revenue on the App Store and Google Play combined. Pokémon GO has become the fastest mobile game in the history of the app stores to reach this milestone.

The chart below shows the cumulative gross revenue for Pokémon GO’s first seven months of availability and compares to the app Clash Royale which was also released in 2016.


Source: https://sensortower.com/blog/pokemon-go-one-billion-revenue

Niantic has announced the latest patch notes for Pokémon GO which updates the game to version 0.55.0 for Android and 1.25.0 for iOS.

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.55.0 for Android and 1.25.0 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.55.0 for Android and 1.25.0 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Reduced the starting load time on Android devices.
• Resolved Android connectivity issues for the Pokémon GO Plus accessory.
• Integrated iOS wheelchair support for use with Apple Watch.
• Minor text fixes.

Source: http://pokemongolive.com/en/post/ver-update-012817/

The Pokémon Company International announced today that Pokémon Duel is now available for download at no charge on the App Store and on Google Play. The game is a rebranded and renamed version of Pokémon Komaster. Images from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Action-Packed Pokémon Duel Launches on the App Store and Google Play

Digital Pokémon Figures Battle for Dominance In New Game for Mobile Devices.
The Pokémon Company International announced today that Pokémon Duel is now available for download at no charge on the App Store and on Google Play.

Pokémon Duel is an exciting mobile strategy game in which fans deploy digital Pokémon figures and battle based on strategic moves to reach a goal in the opponent’s territory. Pokémon Duel gameplay details follow:

• By strategically assembling their team of six Pokémon, each with its own strengths and a set number of steps it can take, players can take different routes to rush toward the goal or block the opponent’s Pokémon from advancing.
• When two Pokémon from opposing teams meet, a battle commences, and the players spin each Pokémon’s Data Disk to see which Attack each Pokémon will use.
• In addition to moving Pokémon and battling, players will also be able to use a plate at the start of their turn. These plates have various effects, including swapping positions of Pokémon in play and giving their Pokémon various battle enhancements for that turn.
• The player who reaches their goal first wins the duel.

Players can duel against real opponents at any time by tapping League Match on the Home screen. They will then be automatically matched, according to skill, with other players around the world. A variety of items, including Pokémon figures, can be earned through Time Boosters that are unlocked with every League victory. Winning League matches also increases the player’s rating and provides a chance to get different Pokémon figures as they compete in higher-level leagues.

More plates and Boosters can be purchased at the Shop within the app. Materials collected from purchased Boosters can be traded for desired Pokémon. In-game currency known as Gems can be purchased at the Shop or earned in several ways, such as by playing Pokémon Duel daily and clearing missions.

YouTube Trailer - Battle, Spin, and Win in Pokémon Duel!

Niantic announced and released an update for Pokémon GO. The update, version 0.53.1 for Android and 1.23.1 for iOS, has a number of bug fixes.

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.53.1 for Android and 1.23.1 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.53.1 for Android and 1.23.1 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Updated Apple Watch to display Eggs obtained from PokéStops
• Changed distance tracking to better account for GPS drift
• Minor text fixes.

Source: http://pokemongolive.com/en/post/ver-update-011717/

Pokémon Go Generated $950 million in revenues in 2016

Pokémon Go generated approximately $950 million in revenues in 2016, according to a report by market researcher App Annie.


Source: http://go.appannie.com/app-annie-2016-retrospective

Niantic has announced that a special Pokémon GO Christmas Event will take place from December 25th, 2016 until January 3rd, 2017.

The holiday season has arrived! Celebrate it with us!

Trainers, As the year draws to a close, we want to give you a great way to celebrate the end of the year with Pokémon GO. For the next couple of weeks, you’ll have even more reason to explore the world with your friends and family while you enjoy our year-end event.

Don’t miss out on an increased chance to hatch a Togepi (and other Pokémon)! Starting the morning of December 25, 2016, and through the afternoon of January 3, 2017 (PST), PokéStops will award one single-use Incubator each day after your first Photo Disc spin. As you visit PokéStops during this time period, there will be a greater chance of finding Eggs that hatch Togepi, Pichu, and several other recently found Pokémon, originally discovered in the Johto region. Special Pikachu wearing festive hats will also be staying around a bit longer! You are more likely to find these limited-edition Pikachu during the time period of this celebration.

In addition, from the afternoon of December 30, 2016, through the afternoon of January 8, 2017 (PST), the first partner Pokémon and their Evolutions, originally discovered in the Kanto region, are more likely to be encountered. This means a greater chance to catch Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur, as well as Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard, plus Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise! As a way to increase your chance to encounter one of these Pokémon, Lure Modules will also last for 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes.

Get up and go!

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/holiday2016/

Pokémon GO is now on the Apple Watch. It was release on December 22nd, 2016. Below are the details from Niantic's press release.

Pokémon GO is now on the Apple Watch, just in time for the Holidays

Trainers, Pokémon GO is now available on the Apple Watch! You will now be able to explore and experience the world around you directly from your wrist, whether you’re searching for wild Pokémon or trying to hatch the Pokémon originally discovered in the Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver video games.

Apple Watch is particularly well suited to Pokémon GO as it seamlessly combines gameplay and imagination with getting exercise and exploring the real world. You can easily interact with Pokémon GO on Apple Watch, using quick taps to discover nearby Pokémon and collect items from PokéStops. Once you encounter a Pokémon, you can catch it from your iPhone. You can log your play sessions through the Apple Watch app as a Workout that will count toward your personal Activity rings, while also counting distance toward hatching Pokémon Eggs.

To recap the core features of Pokémon GO on Apple Watch, you’ll be able to

• Log each play session as a workout, with gameplay counting toward personal Activity rings
• Receive notifications about nearby Pokémon
• Count distance toward hatching Pokémon Eggs and receiving Candy with your Buddy Pokémon
• Receive notifications about PokéStops nearby and collect items from them
• Receive notifications when Eggs hatch and medals are awarded

This holiday season, experience Pokémon GO and the world around you in a whole new way on Apple Watch. It’s the perfect companion for bundled-up winter walks in the Northern Hemisphere and for fun summer activities in the Southern Hemisphere. And hey, what great timing—you can get a head start on that New Year’s fitness resolution by having some fun now!

Source: http://pokemongolive.com/en/post/apple-watch/

Niantic has announced new patches, game statistics and partnerships in their latest press news posts.

Pokémon GO Statistics - As of December 7th, 2016

• 8.7 Billion KM Walked
• 88 Billion Pokémon Caught

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.51.0 for Android and 1.21.0 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.51.0 for Android and 1.21.0 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• The bug that caused incorrect vibration notifications has been fixed.
• Day and night modes have changed to more accurately reflect the Trainer’s current time of day.
• Minor text fixes.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-121916/

200,000 trips around the Earth!

Trainers, You know that we are fans of a little walk every now and then. That’s why we were excited back in September to announce that Pokémon GO Trainers had walked more than 4.6 billion kilometers since we launched. Trainers have since racked up some impressive stats.

We are pleased to share that—as of December 7—the Pokémon GO community has collectively walked more than 8.7 billion kilometers. That’s more than 200,000 trips around Earth! Fun fact: A commercial jetliner would take more than 1,000 years to cover the same distance. While covering this distance, Trainers also caught more than 88 billion Pokémon along the way. That’s roughly 533 million Pokémon a day!

Get out and go this holiday season, and let’s add some more kilometers to that total! Thank you for your continued support!

Source: pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/milestones/

YouTube Clip - 200,000 trips around the Earth!

Reliance Jio is now an official partner of Pokémon GO in India

Trainers in India, We’re happy to announce that Reliance Jio Infocomm is an official partner of Pokémon GO in India! Reliance Jio has disrupted the Indian digital services space by providing high speed 4G LTE mobile data at very affordable prices to enable the vision of Digital India for 1.2 billion Indians. We’re excited to join them on this journey. With this partnership, nearly 3,000 Jio stores and partner locations will become PokéStops and Gyms that Trainers can visit to collect items and to battle over.

During Jio’s “Happy New Year” offer, their SIM customers will be able to download and play Pokémon GO without incurring data charges. Step outside and explore to catch many Pokémon today!

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/jio/