Earlier yesterday, trainers around the world gathered in Chicago, Illinois to take part in Niantic’s first North American Pokémon Go Fest. Earlier this week, Niantic announced that trainers attending would have the opportunity to be the first to catch some of Pokémon’s legendary beasts as long as trainers could achieve certain milestones. Unfortunately, technical difficulties plagued attendees at the Fest and put the goal of achieving the milestones in danger. Luckily, after a long hard day of battling and catching Pokémon, trainers were successful in unlocking epic Raid Battles against Pokémon’s legendary Birds!
At 10 AM CDT, Pokémon Go Fest began in Chicago. Trainers were tasked in capturing Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Rock, and Steel type Pokémon. Every challenge achieved by the community before 3:30 CDT would unlock a special bonus remains available until Monday, July 24th at 5:00 P.M. PDT. Although there were technical difficulties in Chicago, trainers all around the world banded together in order to achieve the challenges and unlock six boosts that benefited all trainers. Thanks to these events, trainers unlocked double Stardust, double Candy, double XP, increased Pokémon encounters, reduced hatching distance, and a reduced buddy distance.
Niantic tracked each team’s contributions towards the overall “Mystery Challenge” that had been running throughout Pokémon Go Fest. At the start of the day, trainers knew that, in order to unlock the Pokémon worldwide, they would have to defeat the legendary Pokemon, Lugia! By the end of the event, Team Mystic reigned supreme, contributing the most towards the daily challenges. Because Team Mystic contributed the most, the second legendary Pokemon unlocked at Pokemon Go Fest was the ice bird Articuno (it comes as no surprise that Mystic contributed the most since they are rumored to have the largest player base!).
Effective immediately, Articuno will be available to battle and catch in high-level raids. Lugia and the other legendary birds will be made available sometime later this year with Lugia most likely releasing first.
This is what Niantic had to say about the inclusion of Legendary Pokémon into Pokémon Go:
“As Trainers around the world go out and explore their neighborhoods in search of Pokémon and Raid Battles, they can keep an eye out for unique Legendary Eggs appearing at Gyms. If Trainers and their team are able to successfully defeat a Legendary Raid Boss, they’ll have the opportunity to catch a Legendary Pokémon of their own! While Legendary Pokémon will help them take on the toughest Raid Bosses and Gym Battles, they’re not willing to leave their Trainer’s side, so they can’t be left to defend Gyms.”
According to BBC News, Niantic is refunding part of participants money due to technical difficulties.
Will we see the next Pokémon Go fest in New York City on New Year’s Eve or will they hold an event sooner? Were you able to catch the Pikachu with Ash’s Hat? Do you think Niantic lived up to expectations or did they fall short?
