Niantic has announced details for the Pokémon GO - Water Festival 2018 which takes place from June 7th, 2018 until June 21st, 2018.

Soak Up Special Bonuses during Water Festival 2018!

Trainers, It’s time to make a splash! Our Water Festival returns June 7 at 1:00 p.m. PDT, with Water-type Pokémon such as Magikarp and Wailmer appearing more frequently in the wild. Some lucky Trainers may even encounter a rare Shiny Shellder for the very first time during the event! Plus, enjoy Field Research tasks highlighting Water-type Pokémon until June 21 at 1:00 p.m. PDT.

Alongside increased appearance of Water-type Pokémon appearing all over the world, you’ll be able to earn 3× Stardust for catching Water-type Pokémon. Plus, 2 km Eggs will hatch exciting Pokémon such as Totodile, Mudkip, and Corphish—earn Double Candy and Stardust for every Egg hatched!

Raid Battles will also feature powerful Water-type Pokémon for the duration of the celebration, including the exciting return of the Legendary Pokémon Kyogre. And, if you challenge Kyogre during the event and come out victorious, there is a chance you’ll encounter its Shiny form!

So Trainers, dive on in to this water-focused event before it ends on June 21!

Source: https://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/waterfestival2018/

The Pokémon 2018 Video Game Press Conference took place in Tokyo, Japan on May 30th, 2018. Announced were a few new games as well as news that an all-new core series Pokémon RPG title is in development for the second half of 2019.

Pokémon Quest

Pokémon Quest is a Nintendo Switch game where players befriend Pokémon, uncover hidden treasures and explore a brand-new land. The Pokémon in Pokémon Quest were originally discovered in the Kanto region—but this time, they have a boxy, cube-like appearance!


Trainers of all ages to get in on the action! In this free-to-start game, you can face off against wild Pokémon and embark on many exciting expeditions. You get to decide which characteristics your Pokémon will have! You can use special items called Power Stones to strengthen your team. The kind of Pokémon they become is completely up to you!


The game takes place on the mysterious Tumblecube Island, which is known to be filled with hidden treasures and special items. With a team of up to three Pokémon, you can explore the secrets of Tumblecube Island. Battle wild Pokémon, gather treasure, and even befriend new Pokémon—if you have the right ingredients, that is! Pokémon Quest puts the power in your hands.

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!

Return to the Kanto region and experience a classic Pokémon journey in a whole new way with Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! on the Nintendo Switch! Coming November 16th, 2018.


Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! are based on Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, which first launched in Japan in 1998!


Pikachu or Eevee—which will you set out on your journey with? Depending on the title you choose, Pikachu or Eevee will be with you wherever you go, either hanging on your shoulder or riding on your head!


With the Nintendo Switch, you can swing your Joy-Con to toss a Poké Ball and catch the wild Pokémon that appear before you.


Two players can adventure at the same time in Pokémon Let's Go! Explore, catch Pokémon, and battle together in-game!


You can use the all new as Poké Ball Plus as a Joy-Con in Pokémon Let's Go!Good things may happen if you place one of your favorite Pokémon into the device and walk around with it in the real world. It will be able to connect to Pokémon GO as well!

Say Alola to Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! with Alolan Exeggutor

Trainers, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! are coming to the Nintendo Switch in November 2018! Once released, Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region that you have caught in Pokémon GO can be brought into these two new Nintendo Switch games. In celebration of this announcement, Alolan Exeggutor will now appear all over the world in Pokémon GO! This is the first Alolan form of a Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region to arrive in Pokémon GO. Keep an eye out for this Pokémon’s tall and stately presence all over the world, where it will appear more often for a limited time. Enjoy, Trainers, and stay tuned for more news about Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! soon.

Press Release - New Pokémon™ Experiences Announced for Nintendo Switch

Last night, Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, GAME FREAK and Niantic announced several fun new Pokémon experiences coming to the Nintendo Switch system in 2018, including one that is available right now!
 
The entire video presentation can be viewed here, but below is a summary of key announcements:

• Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!: Taking place in the diverse and vibrant Kanto region, this new pair of games is packed with adventure for Pokémon Trainers of all ages. In the Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! games, you will partner up with either Pikachu or Eevee and embark on an exciting adventure where you’ll catch and battle Pokémon, meet other Trainers and discover the region of Kanto. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch on Nov. 16, 2018. Watch the trailer.
• Poké Ball^™ Plus: This controller was specially designed by Nintendo to enhance the gameplay experience for aspiring Pokémon Trainers by replicating the look and feel of an actual Poké Ball. Poké Ball Plus allows players to control their journey in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, combining motion controls, a pressable Control Stick and Top Button to create a truly immersive Pokémon adventure. In addition to motion controls, Poké Ball Plus also lights up with a variety of colors, vibrates and plays sounds. Players can even send one Pokémon at a time from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! to Poké Ball Plus and bring it along for a stroll in the real world. Poké Ball Plus is also compatible with the Pokémon GO app*, providing the same functionality as Pokémon GO Plus. Poké Ball Plus will launch alongside Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! on Nov. 16, 2018.
• Connect to Pokémon GO*: By wirelessly connecting Pokémon GO to Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, players can transfer Kanto region Pokémon into the Nintendo Switch games.
• Catch and Battle with a Friend: Play Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! cooperatively anytime, anywhere on one system. Each player can use a single Joy-Con controller or Poké Ball Plus (sold separately) to catch and battle together.
• Pokémon Quest: Set off on an adventure in the Pokémon Quest game. Venture out with your Pokémon buddies on expeditions across Tumblecube Island in search of loot in this free-to-start action-adventure game for the Nintendo Switch system. Modify your Pokémon buddies with discovered Power Stones to make your expedition team. With a cube-shaped art style, Pokémon Quest is unlike any Pokémon game you’ve seen before. The simple gameplay makes it easy to hop into expeditions and start exploring Tumblecube Island with the help of your Pokémon buddies. Afterward, head back to your base camp where you can use the loot you found during your adventure to befriend more Pokémon. Attract various Kanto Region Pokémon to your base camp by cooking up dishes made with collected ingredients. You can even decorate your base camp with fun items that provide helpful bonuses that make your expeditions more beneficial.

In addition to all of this exciting content, it was announced that GAME FREAK is simultaneously developing another core RPG entry in the Pokémon series, slated to be released for Nintendo Switch in late 2019.

Press Release - POKÉMON GAMES UNVEILED FOR NINTENDO SWITCH

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! Arrive This November Featuring Interactivity with Pokémon GO

During a special Pokémon press conference in Tokyo today, The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced three new ways to play Pokémon for Nintendo Switch™—Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, and the free-to-start Pokémon Quest. With the addition of these new titles, Pokémon is broadening the scope of video game offerings from the franchise to appeal to its wide variety of fans at all player levels. Pokémon also announced that the next introduction to its popular core RPG series, which was teased last year at E3, will arrive in late 2019 on Nintendo Switch for the first time.

Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!
With Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, Pokémon is inviting fans on a new journey by taking them back to a familiar setting. Inspired by Pokémon Yellow, which was originally released in Japan on Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1998, these two new titles feature many of the intuitive gameplay functions offered to players in the hugely popular Pokémon GO and are designed for players taking their first steps into the Pokémon video game world. Trainers will embark on an epic adventure set in the iconic Kanto region joined by their trusty Pikachu in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Eevee in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! They feature brand new gameplay to make the most of the unique capabilities of Nintendo Switch, such as throwing Poké Balls to catch Pokémon by swinging Joy-Con™ controllers, as well as the opportunity for family and friends to battle and explore together in a new two-player mode. The games were unveiled in partnership with GAME FREAK, the games’ developers and original creators of the Pokémon video game franchise.

“With the launch of Pokémon GO in 2016 and the global sensation that ensued, millions of new players were introduced to the world of Pokémon,” said Junichi Masuda, director at GAME FREAK inc. “For many people, Pokémon GO was their first experience with the Pokémon brand, so we have crafted these two new titles to be an accessible entry point to our core RPG series while giving our longtime fans a new way to play Pokémon.”

The connection between these two new titles and Pokémon GO doesn’t end there - literally. GAME FREAK and The Pokémon Company teamed up with Niantic to bring next-level innovation by offering players the ability to connect their Pokémon GO to their Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! game. Players can catch Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region in Pokémon GO and then transfer them into their Nintendo Switch adventure. Something special will also be coming to the world of Pokémon GO, making the connection between both games even more appealing for Trainers. Details for this will be revealed in the near future.

The Poké Ball Plus* a device that can be used to play Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! in place of a Joy-Con or alongside Pokémon GO instead of the Pokémon GO Plus, was also unveiled, continuing the innovative ways to connect the games. The Poké Ball Plus features motion controls, lights up with a variety of colors, vibrates, and plays sounds. When catching a Pokémon in the Nintendo Switch games, players will be able to feel it moving within the device. It also does more than function as a controller—using the Poké Ball Plus, players can bring one of their Pokémon from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! with them as they explore the real world, giving Trainers the opportunity to spend time with favorite Pokémon even when they’re not playing the game. Additionally, Trainers can receive a variety of rewards once Pokémon are returned to the Nintendo Switch games.

Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! will launch on 16 November 2018, exclusively on Nintendo Switch. The Poké Ball Plus will be available at participating retailers on the same day.

YouTube Trailer - Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! Trailer

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jRtpMKLsts

YouTube Trailer - New Adventures Await in Pokémon Quest! Trailer

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0AEUmgGHRE

YouTube Trailer - Pokémon 2018 Video Game Press Conference

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ_qtyOa5Dg

From May 24th, 2018 until June 5th, 2018, players of Pokémon GO can participate in the 2018 Adventure Week. Players will be able to encounter Aerodactyl as a Raid Boss.


3 special boxes are on sale as part of this event:
Special Box - 480 Coins - 3 Incense, 3 Incubators, 5 Lucky Eggs
Great Box - 780 Coins - 6 Incense, 6 Super Incubators, 8 Lucky Eggs, 6 Lure Modules
Ultra Box - 1480 Coins - 12 Super Incubators, 15 Lucky Eggs, 8 Premium Raid Passes, 15 Lure Modules

Leave No Stone Unturned during This Adventurous Event!

Trainers, Adventurous new research is on tap during an exciting in-game celebration! Starting on May 24 at 1:00 P.M. PDT, unique Field Research will be available with some exciting rewards, including a Raid Battle appearance by Pokémon such as Aerodactyl.

Throughout the celebration, Rock-type Pokémon such as Geodude, Lileep, and Nosepass will appear more frequently in the wild. There are also incentives to trek around: your Buddy Pokémon will earn Candy 4× faster throughout the event! Plus, you’ll receive extra XP for spinning the Photo Discs at PokéStops or Gyms—up to 10 times the usual amount if this is your first time encountering a unique PokéStop or Gym!

Fortune favors the bold, Trainers, so join this adventure before it ends on June 5. Get up and GO!

Source: https://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/adventureweek2018/

Niantic have announced the details for the 6th Pokémon GO Community Day which takes place on June 16th, 2018 at 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM Haiti Daylight Time. The featured Pokémon for this day is Larvitar and a Pupitar that evolves into Tyranitar during this time will learn a special move. The 3× Catch XP and 3-Hour Lure bonuses will also be available that day.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/events/community-day/

Niantic has announced that Pokémon Kanto Region Alolan Forms are going to be appearing in Pokémon GO starting in the next few weeks.

Alolan Forms of Pokémon Originally Discovered in the Kanto Region Are Coming to Pokémon GO!

Trainers, Sunny days are ahead! Whether your forecast calls for rain or shine, we’re celebrating all around the world by introducing some special Pokémon from the tropical Alola region to Pokémon GO. Get ready for some of the Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region to appear in their Alolan forms! These unique variants were first seen in the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon video games, and they will make their way to Pokémon GO in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for news related to this exciting change—and don’t forget to tell your friends! Stay safe, and happy exploring!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/alolakanto-pokemon

Niantic has revealed that they plan to map the world in 3D with help from the Pokémon GO playerbase. By utilizing players smartphone cameras, the new technology could theoretically allow the use of AR (augmented reality) technology in combination with the 3d map to enable players to see new virtual structures and allow other users to view the same layout.

“We want players to build out the game board they want to play on,” CEO John Hanke, a mapping veteran who worked on Google Earth and Google Street View, told Reuters last week.

"But based on existing features, players would turn on their cameras to visualize characters among their surroundings. Software would generate a map by automatically identifying contours and objects in the scene as a user plays." the Reuters article explained about the new technology.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-niantic-maps/pokemon-go-maker-niantic-plans-to-build-ar-maps-with-users-help-idUSKBN1IA28S

Niantic has announced the first dates for the Pokémon GO Summer Tour 2018 around the world. On June 30th, 2018 to July 1st, 2018 an event will take place in Dortmund, Germany while on July 14th, 2018 to July 15th, 2018, another event will take place in Chicago, United States.

Get Pumped Up for Pokémon GO Summer Tour 2018!

Trainers, It’s time to mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting lineup of Pokémon GO events all over the world. This year we’re bringing dynamic live events to even more places. It’s the Pokémon GO Summer Tour 2018!

Trainers across Europe: Get ready for a Safari Zone event in Dortmund, Germany. Together with the city of Dortmund, we will host an event from June 30 to July 1 in beautiful Westfalenpark. Westfalenpark is not only one of the largest inner-city parks in Europe but also includes elaborate water features, a Japanese garden, and large playgrounds for kids and families. Enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view while catching many types of Pokémon! Activities will expand to Dortmund’s entire city district, inviting players from all over Europe to explore the city’s cultural history through Pokémon GO. This is an open event for all to enjoy, so book your travel and accommodations soon! For detailed information on the Dortmund Safari Zone Event, please visit the event website.


Our biggest North American event is back with a brand-new look! Pokémon GO Fest returns to Chicago from July 14 to July 15. Pokémon GO Fest 2018: A Walk in the Park will offer a unique, immersive play experience unseen anywhere else that will create a daylong adventure for Trainers. The event will be held in the city’s historic Lincoln Park, with a 1.8-mile walking course that, among the tree-lined greenery, will include exclusive activities for Trainers of all ages. Single-day passes go on sale on May 11 for $20 on our event website. Also, check the event website for details on hotel accommodations and stay tuned for more details.

We’ve been so inspired by the spirit and dedication of Trainers who have come to our events throughout Asia. From Tottori to Seoul to Chiayi, we’ve been lucky to see hundreds of thousands of Trainers coming together to view breathtaking scenery, catch many types of Pokémon, and enjoy a unique real-world experience. We’ll have a Safari Zone event in Yokosuka, Japan, later this Summer, to be followed by an exciting schedule for our Trainers across Asia. Keep an eye out for more details on these events!


If you’re unable to make it to one of our live events this summer, there are still plenty of amazing ways to participate in the action. Trainers across the globe will be able to engage in a variety of activities and challenges, so you’ll be able to take part no matter where you are. Announcements on these features will be forthcoming, so watch out for more news! We invite you to join us on an adventure—even from your hometown.

Plus, there are monthly gatherings happening all over the world on Pokémon GO Community Day. On Saturday, May 19, the Fire-type Pokémon Charmander will be the star! Community Day happens once a month, so make sure you mark your calendars and gear up for events on Saturday June 16 and Sunday July 8. As we get closer to those dates, we will reveal the starring Pokémon, an exclusive move that can only be learned on Community Day, and special bonuses that will be available throughout the length of the events!

In addition to our own events, we also participate in civic and service-oriented events throughout the year, benefitting a number of causes. Seeking a way to connect with your city or community while discovering and catching Pokémon, or to get the latest on all of our upcoming live events? Don’t forget to check out PokemonGOLive.com/events to see what’s coming up next!

We’re proud to bring you these special events across the globe, but there’s still one important thing missing—you!

Source: https://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/summertour2018/

Niantic has announced a new special battle event featuring Fighting-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO which will take place from May 1st, 2018 until May 14th, 2018.

Fighting-Type Pokémon Star in Our Special Battle Showdown!

Trainers, It’s time to test the strength of your Pokémon during a special battle event! Fighting-type Pokémon, such as Machop and Makuhita, will appear more frequently in the wild starting May 1 at 1:00 p.m. PDT.

But what’s a battle celebration without some competition at your nearby Gym? Until May 14, you’ll receive 2× bonus XP for Gym Battles and Raid Battles. Plus, Raid Battles will also award a guaranteed 3,000 Stardust for participating—and at least one Rare Candy if you win!

Several actions at Gyms will yield bonuses, including a 2× Badge multiplier, so you can receive even more benefits at a Gym you visit frequently. Just stopping by? Spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms will also yield more items!

Our Battle Showdown is sure to pack a punch, so don’t miss it!

Source: https://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/battleshowdown2018/

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.101.1 for Android and 1.71.1 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.101.1 for Android and 1.71.1 for iOS devices. Details from our development team:

• Aspect ratios and UI are now optimized for larger screens such as iPhone X and Samsung 8.
• Lucky Eggs and Star Pieces are now accessible and usable from the Raid and Gym Battle inventories.
• Various bug fixes and performance updates.

Source: https://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-042518/

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.99.2 for Android and 1.69.2 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.99.2 for Android and 1.69.2 for iOS devices. Details from our development team:

• The Nearby Pokémon indicator now prioritizes Pokémon that are not registered to your Pokédex and are at PokéStops near you.
• Various bug fixes and performance updates.

Source: https://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-041418/

A brand new avatar shirt has been added to Pokémon GO so players can show their support for Earth Day 2018. The shirt is available for free to all players and features Lapras with Pikachu riding on it with two Wingull flying in the sky.

Source: https://twitter.com/PokemonGoApp/status/987459129450094593

Niantic have announced the details for the 5th Pokémon GO Community Day which takes place on May 19th, 2018 at 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM Haiti Daylight Time. The featured Pokémon for this day is Charmander and a Charmeleon that evolves into Charizard during this time will learn the move Blast Burn. The 3× Catch Stardust and 3-Hour Lure bonuses will also be available that day.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/events/community-day/