The Future of Pokemon: No More Gyms?

Gym battles have been a defining feature of Pokemon games since their inception. For 20 years, players have gotten a starter Pokemon and ventured out into the world with one main goal: to become the Pokemon Champion. In order to that, however, players must take on eight different challenges in the form of Gyms, where a strong trainer awaits to give them the ultimate form of achievement: a Gym Badge. Collect eight, and the Elite Four awaits, with the Champion just afterwards. Achieving victory has not always been easy, but there’s no feeling like being inducted into the Hall of Fame, as the partners who made it all possible stand at the forefront of your exceptional accomplishment. One can’t help but smile a bittersweet smile at the thought of everything they have encountered during their journey, the end in sight.

However, the newest entries in the series, Pokemon Sun and Moon, seem to have abandoned the infamous Gym feature for the Island Challenge, which seem to present a similar challenge, but with different steps. As far as we know right now, each island in Alola has a challenge that consists of multiple steps. Firstly, one must complete an Island Trial, which involves finding items or running an errand for an Island Captain. Next, one must battle a Totem Pokemon, which is far more powerful than any wild Pokemon. It can occasionally put you in the midst of an SOS Battle, as the Totem Pokemon can call upon a helper, resulting in a double battle. Finally, the final trial, or Grand Trial, involves battling the Island Kahuna, which essentially takes the place of a Gym Leader. In the case of the first island, Melemele Island, Hala will be the final person standing in the way of you and progression to the next island.

In a nutshell, the series has deducted the amount of leaders to four, but has added challenges along the way, prolonging your time before your final battle takes place. What exactly does this mean for your player’s goal? It’s too early to say whether or not the Elite Four and Champion will be returning, but with a mysterious fifth island, it is inevitable that there will be some challenge greater than the Island Kahuna. Does this, however, mean that Gyms are gone from Pokemon’s history forever? Not necessarily, and that can be concluded for a few different reasons.

Being as Alola is based off the real world location of Hawaii, a lot of traditional elements have been implemented into Sun and Moon to give it that original feeling. One can make the bold statement that Alola is one of the most diverse and unique regions we have seen so far, but that claim is heavily backed by the amount of cultural references we have seen. From Pokemon that embrace the Hawaiian culture, like Oricorio’s many formes and Comfey’s lei-like appearance, to Hala’s declaration of your battle with rival Hau as dedication to the mighty Tapu Koko, this is not your average Pokemon game. A place as rich in culture and history as Hawaii surely belongs in the Pokemon franchise, and implementation of what makes it so popular and interesting of a location is what will make Sun and Moon stand out.

With that being said, Alola can take advantage of an Island Challenge because the entirety of the region is based on separate islands. It is the first time in a Pokemon game that the region is not one locked piece of land, calling for diversity and a change in the game’s progression. It makes sense to have different challenges per island, to embrace that differentiation in Hawaiian culture and diversity from other locations. Not all regions will be based off of a chain of islands, so having an Island Challenge is not an option. Sun and Moon surely have done a lot of breaking tradition, from this new mechanic to the unique new Alola Forms. What could we expect from the future, however, in terms of a Gym system?

Well, it would not be a surprise to see Gyms return in our next paired titles or Generation VIII, due to its prominence in the Pokemon franchise. However, it seems that Gamefreak has taken a very independent approach with Alola, adding a plethora of elements that have never been seen and could never be applicable to any of the previous landmarks. Perhaps this trend will continue in the future, with players being able to explore more diverse regions, diverse and prominent in their lore and culture. Just imagine a title based on the wildly differing islands of Greece or the lush jungles of Africa–surely places such rich in their own lifestyle would not maintain the Gym feature.

Without any sort of bias, most have argued that Gyms have been getting stale after their appearance in every game for the past 20 years, but that claim can easily be justifiable. It seems as though there is very little independence and diversity in the plot of Pokemon games up until now. That eight gym -> Elite Four -> Champion concept was a part of every main series game until Sun and Moon, with few other changes to make the concept at least somewhat varied from region to region. For Pokemon’s 20th anniversary, making a change as large as this surely resonates differently with different people, but I am being completely open-minded for the sake of delivering both perspectives. Those who have stuck with the series for a long time can argue for either side–that of Gyms becoming stale, or that of Gyms being a necessary component of a trainer’s journey throughout a region. Both points can be justified very well, especially considering how Gyms gave players something specific to work towards, and was very focused in terms of putting an emphasis on battling.

There really is no way to judge the new Island Challenge until Sun and Moon come out, and players can compare this experience to the original Gym experience. Whether or not they return is completely up to how future regions will be displayed and introduced. Places rich in culture, mythology, and folklore like Hawaii are well due for a change when making up part of the Pokemon world, and replacing Gyms has done just that. However, going back to Japan-based regions or revisiting old regions may result in the revisiting of Gyms, which is perfectly fine. The concept seems to still be kept in mind with the Island Challenge, and it surely will be so if the concept is modified in any other way. No matter if they are called Gyms, if they look like Gyms, or even function like Gyms, it is important to have a set goal when starting as a trainer in a Pokemon game. For Sun and Moon, the Island Challenge seems like a very focused new take on an old mechanic, which is excellent news at this point in time. Will it still encourage players to train as hard and have that similar rewarding feeling of earning a Gym Badge? That remains to be seen, but something inside of me says that Pokemon’s roots will not be forgotten. We have come a long way in 20 years, but to completely abandon the core of an integral feature for something more traditional seems unlikely.

This includes the Elite Four and Champion as well. It could very well be possible that they have been replaced with those who were chosen by Guardian Deities, like Hala, or individuals from past regions who have conquered Alola like they have their home region. Whatever it may be, Alola is filled with Hawaiian culture up to this point, which is evident even from a pre-release standpoint. This may or may not have an impact on how the ending challenge plays out, but surely it will be driven by a part of Hawaiian customs and traditions. To be faced with these new challenges, and more or less a foreign experience, is something that we, as players, should be excited about. Since Gyms are as good as gone, players are going into Sun and Moon with no idea what to expect from the progression system as a trainer. This can be both a positive and negative experience, as it will leave many wondering where to start and perhaps wishing things were their old selves again.

As with any franchise, change is inevitable. As time goes on, there is a different view on what a franchise should stand for. In the case of Pokemon, 20 years have gone by, and without a doubt, the recurring, most prominent feature of a title has been the Gym System. However, new intentions have arised. Intentions that plan on bringing diversity to a region, by embodying the culture it is so renowned for in the real world. Of course, this does mean change, but it shows the sheer amount of effort and passion that Gamefreak has for creating a Hawaii-based region. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire very well could have been the final games with a Gym System, and Sun and Moon can very well be the only games with an Island Challenge. However, we are branching out. This is the year of change fo the Pokemon franchise, but it is much needed change. Mixing up the formula evokes this sense of enjoyment in veteran players, who cannot wait to see how the series has evolved over the course of time. It’s one thing to be expecting what your next challenge is, but with the variation that Island Challenges bring, it is truly a breath of fresh air for the series.

With that being said, what could we be seeing from Gyms in the future? Could there be different systems based on the region’s real-world counterpart, similar to Alola? Adding to my example of a region set in Greece, could we be introduced to a system that involves going through mythological rituals–meeting and conquering present-day descendants of the Gods? It would, of course, still need to maintain that prominence of battles and training, while mixing in the system with the culture of said region. Would there be different types of trials that trainers face along the way, before meeting the Elite Four and Champion? Could a plot be centered completely around a villainous team who has corrupted the system, or rebuilding a system that has been lost in history? These possibilities have surely been explored by leakers and fangame creators alike, though their fictitious presence may not be so for long. The breaking of tradition the Alola region has brought sets up a new level of expectations for the next Pokemon title–one that is just as rich in culture and tradition as the one before it.

The wise philosopher Socrates once said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” The time has come for us not to be disappointed over the end of an old feature, but to be hopeful about the inception of a new one. Surely, we will not be let down. Change can be difficult, yet it is something we must all manage at some point. The time has come for us to manage it, because surely, something greater awaits.

Beta Features: Pokemon Red and Blue

An often overlooked part of Pokemon game’s development period is the features that were cut along the way. Games are often announced months prior to their release, so any footage shown in trailers is not the final version. Careful analysis brings these features to light, and allows individuals to consider how far a title has come since the beginning. Due to the extent of features that were changed since the beta, this article will be split up into two parts, the second one will go live on Friday, September 2nd.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at what has changed during the development cycle of Pokemon Red and Blue.

Female Trainer
The cover of the official guidebook for Pokemon Red, Green and Blue depicted a female protagonist alongside a Squirtle, though this never made it into the final cut of the game. Trainers were only allowed a male selection for a protagonist until the release of Pokemon Crystal in 2001. However, Green from the Pokemon Adventures manga seems to be based off this pre-release depiction, so the concept was not scrapped altogether. In the remakes of Red and Green, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen, Green’s character was redesigned and made playable.

Exclusion of Mew
During an interview with Tsunekazu Ishihara and Shigeki Morimoto after the release of Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, they stated that after the debugging tools were taken out of the games, they added Mew with the remaining space they had left. This was a risky choice due to the fact that any bugs or glitches after removing these debugging tools would be more difficult to fix, so it was taken out of the final release. Still, the infamous Mew’s Truck theory lives on, as a supposed truck found outside of the S.S. Anne docking port sparked the interest of many players. Many people speculated that Mew was hiding under this truck due to the fact that it could not be moved, but Mew could not be found. The sheer popularity of this rumor still resonates years after its inception, however.

Trainer Battles and Poke Balls
Concept art of Poke Balls in Red and Blue depicted them not only in two pieces, but without a button in the center like the modern design. In addition, an interview with Tsunekazu Ishihara also revealed that a trainer battle was supposed to be triggered any time a player walked in front of them, regardless of a previous confrontation. This was removed from the final release, likely to make grinding out Pokemon levels harder. From a personal standpoint, the added challenge of only battling a trainer once makes for an interesting experience, one that relies on a solid understanding of team building and Pokemon frequency in battle.

Unused Items
According to the internal data of Pokemon Red and Blue, Badges were originally going to be obtainable Key Items, before the decision to limit them to their own Badge Case was official. For example, the BoulderBadge and CascadeBadge had index numbers 0x15 and 0x16, respectively, designating a spot in the player’s bag. It was found that using these items in battle allow the player to throw Bait and Rocks, like in the Safari Zone battle. When being used in the overworld, the music would switch to the Guidance theme, or the Opening theme in the dungeon. These were, of course, not intended features, thus justifying the movement of the badges to a specialized case.

Another Key Item with the index number 0x07 allowed the player to Surf without a Pokemon, and supposedly was known as the Surfboard. The Pokedex also appeared as a Key Item and could be used during battle, much like Ash in the anime, to gather data on your opponent’s Pokemon. This would have been an interesting feature to be implemented, but may have been too complicated for beginners to get familiarized with.

Another item known as the Coin served no purpose whatsoever, as it could not be used for slot machines. Aside from that, data for TMs 51-55 could be found, containing the effects of HMs 01-05: Cut, Fly, Surf, Strength, and Flash. Each could be sold and bought, though this would take away from the element of gathering the HMs and requiring badges to utilize them.

Professor Oak Battle
Professor Oak had three different teams of five Pokemon programmed into the game, surpassing even Champion Blue in terms of their levels. This suggests that he could have been confronted somewhere later in the postgame. He was supposed to battle trainers using a Level 66 Tauros, a Level 67 Exeggutor, a Level 68 Arcanine, a Level 70 Gyarados, and a Level 69 Pokemon that corresponded with the final evolution of your starter.

Unused Type, Class, and Move
Data from Pokemon Red and Blue shows that a type known as the Bird-type was supposed to make it into the game, but may just have been an early version of the Flying-type. However, MissingNo. is listed as a Bird/Normal Pokemon when digging into the game files, so it may have been a glitch or scrapped type rather than a prototype one.

The Chief Trainer class was also supposed to make it into the final game, and can only be accessed through modifying the game’s data. It appears to have the same sprite as the Scientist class, and its Japanese name (Silph’s Chief) hints that the President of the Silph Corporation was intended to be battled.

The game files also show that there was supposed to be an HM between Fly and Surf, as evidenced by the unused text “Ground rose up somewhere!” The exact name of this HM is unknown, however.

There are already a plethora of changes from Pokemon Red and Blue‘s original versions compared to the final release, but there is still plenty to cover! Check back next Friday for the second part of this Beta Features article, where I will be covering unused locations, text, and even Pokemon names.

 

[RUMOR] Pyukumuku Evolution Leaked?

An image which appears to be an artist representation of Pyukumuku’s evolution has surfaced online. While it appears to retain many of Pyumuku’s traits, it should still be taken with a grain of salt due to no official confirmation. With a Pokemon as small as Pyukumuku, it’s inevitable that it will gain an evolution, but whether or not it resembles the image is yet to be seen. 

Let me know what you think of this potential leak in the comments below!

Volcanion Event Beginning Soon!

In just over one short month, the Mythical 721st Pokemon Volcanion will be made available to trainers in North America and Europe. Go to your local GameStop starting October 1st to receive a Level 70 Volcanion. The Fire/Water Pokemon is holding an Assault Vest, and knows the moves Steam Eruption, Overheat, Hydro Pump, and Mist.

This is a great opportunity to finally finish that National Pokedex in preparation for Sun and Moon! Don’t miss out!

[RUMOR] New Pokemon Leaked for Sun and Moon?

Today, a leaker took to the 4chan forums and not only revealed some new information for the upcoming Pokemon Sun and Moon, but some drawings of potential new Pokemon as well. It’s the first time since the Chinese leaks that we are seeing drawings to accompany information, adding to the possible legitimacy of this leak. Potential spoilers are ahead:

• Rockruff will have multiple evolutions based on phases of the Moon, and is supposedly connected with Z Stones and Synchro Evolution, just like the starters
• Some areas have Sunny Day by default, and Fog returns
• Alolan Grimer and Muk become pure Ground (uncontaminated)
• Alolan Lunatone and Solrock have the same typing
• Gumshoos, Lurantis, Wishiwashi, and a “Fire feminine-looking pig” are the Totem Pokemon
• Tortunator‘s pre-evolution is called Krakatuga

The remainder of the information will be accompanied by their respective images:

• Poke Ride will tie into a few minigames: riding on Alolan Arcanine to traverse hot waters, climbing mountains with a Rock/Bug spider monkey, and riding Hippowdon in a desert dungeon

• There is a plant-like Pokemon that is similar to Rockruff in terms of its evolutionary method, evolving based on the height of the Sun (Dawn, Noon, Sunset.) It spits seeds as if the flower was a cannon.
• The pig Totem has lava dripping over its body, similar to a normal pig and mud
• Alolan Arcanine becomes Water-type

• Alolan Koffing and Weezing become pure Fire (uncontaminated) although the second head on Weezing no longer exists
• Komala evolves into Ibearnate and can throw around its log
• Bounsweet evolves into Pepperot, gaining the Fire-type and dragonfruit-like scales

• Pikipek gains the Steel-type, evolving into Perfowl and Fowldrill. They give off a musketeer vibe, and shake their heads while their feathers jump around like crazy.
• One of Rockruff’s evolutions has a white cross with three rocks on the end of every tip. When it howls, its ears distance themselves from one another.

• Rowlet‘s evolution is chubbier, and its wings hide a bow and arrow inside
• Litten‘s evolution is bulkier and bipedal, using its tail as a belt. Its animation supposedly involves it spitting on the ground.
• Popplio‘s evolution is graceful and can be seen doing a handstand. It may be based on a gymnast or something similar.

• Alolan Golem becomes Rock/Fire, and is much smoother-looking than its original appearance.

• Alolan Paras and Parasect become Bug/Fairy (infected by Morelull)

Whether or not any of this information is accurate remains to be seen, as many question the legitimacy of this leak. One red flag was spotted as the leaker mentioned “Synchro Evolution,” despite it being referred to officially in the anime as the Bond Phenomenon. This could just be a mistake on the leaker’s part, however.

CoroCoro is set to leak on September 15, promising a showcase of Rockruff’s evolutions, so we should have a clear idea of how accurate this leak is by then. Keep tuning into Pika News Network for all the latest updates on Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon.

[OPINION] Seasons in Pokémon

Unova, home of the Generation V games Pokemon Black and White and Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, introduced a mechanic that can easily be overlooked. Seasons were a very minimalistic mechanic, one that had mostly aesthetic changes, but allowed time periods to stand out from one another. Some changes, however, were season-exclusive, and gave players something to look forward to from month to month.

Unlike seasons in the real world, seasons rotate every month, beginning with Spring in January, Summer in February, Autumn in March, Winter in April, and the cycle continues.

During the Spring season, the Pokemon Deerling and Sawsbuck could be found in their Spring Form, which are predominantly pink-colored variants of the Pokemon. In addition, rain is more prominent in areas and route music varied slightly. As far as battles go, Cynthia can be challenged in Undella Town, various dancers can be found at the Rondez-View Wheel in Nimbasa City, and N battles with his spring team in BW2.

During the Summer season, Deerling and Sawsbuck can be found in their Summer Form, taking on a predominantly green appearance. Besides that, you can find more NPCs in Undella Town, you can find Stunfisk in Striaton City at night, and some Pokemon encounter rates differ. N will use his summer team.

During the Autumn season, Deerling and Sawsbuck can be found in their Autumn Form, taking on a mostly orange appearance. In addition to that, one can find fallen leaves on Route 20, though some areas may be blocked off. In addition, the water in the Castelia Sewers (BW2) will be found drained. As expected, N uses his autumn team in his castle.

During the Winter season, Deerling and Sawsbuck can be found in their Winter Form, with a mainly white coloration. Snow can be found in many places, such as Twist Mountain and Dragonspiral Tower, but some places may be inaccessible. Hail and rain are also more common, and Casteliacones will not be sold in Castelia City. Finally, N uses his winter team in his castle. His teams differ in every season–mostly Water-types in Spring, Fire-types in Summer, Ground-types in Autumn, and Ice-types in Winter.

Despite the slight changes that some seasons bring, to the more obvious changes that others bring, Generation VI chose not to bring back this feature. Currently, there is no sign of seasons in Sun and Moon, though it is too early to conclude. From my personal point of view, it would be a phenomenal and painless idea to bring seasons back for a variety of different reasons. Not only do they bring variation to the game month after month, but they can encourage player exploration long after the game wears out its initial run.

While Black and White only introduced two Pokemon that have a form change depending on the season, it would not be a bad idea to include more creatures that adapt to the change in temperature. This idea would be well suited with the new Alola Forms, which are variations of old Pokemon based on Alola’s diverse microclimates. Perhaps these climates are also diverse enough to go through distinct seasonal rotations, causing a change in a Pokemon’s appearance, or even further, its typing. Based on the currently known Alola Forms, it seems likely that only Generation I Pokemon will be receiving these alterations. For Pokemon that appeared in later generations, seasonal changes would be a pleasing alternative.

As mentioned previously, some seasons had more of an impact on Generation V than others. From restricting/allowing access to certain parts of the map, to making certain trainer battles available, there were surely reasons for trainers to wait until a new season rolled around. Whether it be to gain a new item or engage in a new confrontation, each season seemed to differ from the other, which made for an interesting, varied experience. Personally, after playing the last two titles in the Pokemon series, I have always found myself out of anything to engage in after a month or two of game time. After completing the main story, catching the majority of findable Pokemon, and wearing out the simplistic battle facility, I am out of options. As one who does not play competitively or find enjoyment in breeding for perfect Pokemon, there is a shortage of options other than the general amenities. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, legendary hunting kept me going a while longer, but I often found myself bored with seeing the same terrain over and over. If Pokemon games were to start introducing seasonal changes, each location would feel like a breath of fresh air after a certain period of time.

I am interested to see how Sun and Moon handle the day and night cycle, however. Lots of rumors seem to have the recurring “longer night in Moon, longer day in Sun” prediction, which could surely be plausible and tie into the villainous team’s motives. Perhaps these cycles will function similar to seasons, in the sense that it may be “too dark” or “too blinding” to explore certain areas until a later point in the day? Besides, encounter rates already vary based on night and day in some titles, as well as evolutionary methods (Espeon and Umbreon, for example).

Without reverting to the harsher “they did not have enough time” or “did not care,” excuse, perhaps Gamefreak did not believe that players would have interest in such a minimal alteration to the overworld. However, it’s the little things in Pokemon that truly make games memorable. There are times when I think back to Pokemon Black and White, and in the midst of a deep, emotional plot, the one thing that stuck out to me was when all of the Gym Leaders rounded up and stood by your side against Team Plasma. That is a moment that I will never forget in the history of the franchise. For me, it sends a very powerful message to trainers, showing that even those you conquered can stand by you in a time of need. You may have overpowered them, but your sense of understanding and aptitude does not evoke jealousy, yet pride in your abilities.

This family and friendship motif has long made its way into the Pokemon franchise, and grows with each title. For example, while one can argue that rivals are getting friendlier and more competitive, it is evident that there is a sense of friendly rivalry, which can surely be applied from a real world standpoint. I quite enjoy being able to compare the in-game rivals to those around me on a day-to-day basis. Not many in a real-world perspective can relate to the competitive, somewhat overconfident attitude of Gary or Silver, which takes away from that connection one makes with a Pokemon title. It’s the fact that someone as simple as a character can evoke emotion that makes the Pokemon series great, and loved by many.

With that said, seasons are just one of the many things that make Pokemon unique. The ability to connect a game to what you can see in your own world, like a rival, truly makes for a powerful experience. A simple overworld change can go a long way, especially with the extent it can be taken to. Of course, seasons do not have to have effects like making a whole island difficult to navigate, but just simple alterations that keep players coming back can suffice. It would be interesting to dig deeper into Alola’s lore as the seasons go by, perhaps due to the varied Pokemon encounters or trainer appearances. Even simple aesthetic changes will cause me to open my 3DS and smile at the sheer amount of thought and attention to detail.

But, of course, wishes vary from person to person. While it is difficult to hate such a simple aspect of the games, there are probably some who are indifferent about this concept returning. As someone who finds value in the changes it brought and the emphasis on continued exploration, it would be fantastic to see it return in Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon. Regardless, they are shaping up to be fantastic titles and will continue to bring more changes to the ever-expanding world of Pokemon. With hopes that the seasons mechanic will return, check back next Wednesday for another opinion-based feature on Pika News Network.

New Korean Sun and Moon Trailer

This new six-minute trailer for Pokemon Sun and Moon was just released on Pokemon of Korea’s YouTube channel. While it seems to be a compilation of the Z-Moves and Alola Forms trailer released at the beginning of the month, there are a few new tidbits of overworld gameplay and Pokemon riding. There is also a recap on the batch of Pokemon revealed on August 1st, as well as a showcase of the Island Captains once more.

There seems to be new music showcased at 0:39 and 1:44, and Stoutland performing a similar function to the Dowsing Machine at 1:52 and 1:54–the rest is scattered, somewhat prolonged footage that has been seen befeore.

[RUMOR] Team Skull Information Leaked?

A bunch of new information regarding Team Skull seems to have surfaced. While it is important to take this content with a grain of salt, do not hesitate to leave your thoughts and hopes for Team Skull in the comments below.

• Team Skull do not want to destroy or take over the world. They go around stealing Pokemon and items (mostly art). Their main goal is to capture the Guardians of each island as “trophies.”
• After collecting all the Guardians, they accidently awaken Solgaleo or Lunala depending on which version you choose.
• The Legendary they awaken is ecstatic to be free, and causes eternal daytime or nighttime depending on the version.
• You and Guzma then start working together, since Team Skull does not want eternal day/night either, and you search for the opposite Legendary. You find them and then Solgaleo and Lunala fuse, causing Marshadow to appear. It causes an eclipse, which hinders the player and Team Skull.  You could say the legends are evil for the first time in Pokemon, but you work with Team Skull to fix this.
• Team Skull Grunt gear is obtainable after “jumping” one of them and you get the gear corresponding to your character’s gender. You get to keep this.
• Kukui and Guzma were both trainers who set out to do the Island Trial Challenge. Kukui and Guzma both failed. While Kukui accepted defeat and studied Pokemon moves instead, Guzma was furious. As a result, he chose the life of crime.
• Plumeria, who was also a criminal, found Guzma by herself and took him in. Guzma then founded Team Skull with Plumeria’s help.
• Guzma hates Alola culture after losing the Island Trial Challenge. He stays away from all Alola culture, using no Pokemon from Alola or Alolan Forms. The only Pokemon from Alola that he has are the Island Guardians, but he never uses them.
• In a nutshell, Team Skull’s goal is to mess up Alola.

While this could just be a compilation of educated predictions, it is still an interesting read nonetheless! Only time will tell what Team Skull’s true intentions are!

New Pokemon Go Update

A new update has arrived for Pokemon Go on iOS. With version 1.5 of Pokemon Go, a new feature called Appraisal allows trainers to check their Pokemon’s Attack and Defense through feedback from your Team Leader. You must be at least Level 5 to utilize this feature. It can be accessed by clicking on each Pokemon individually and heading to the options in the bottom right corner. (Update: Images added.)

Each leader will state a phrase that determines your Pokemon’s IV range, IV value, most prominent statistic, and size. The majority of this is praise, so do not expect precise designations of your Pokemon’s stats.

Update now and take a look at this new feature for yourself! This feedback is instant and constant, so there is no limit on how much information your Team Leader gives you.

New Pokemon Sun and Moon Footage Surfaces

A new video for Pokemon Sun and Moon seems to have surfaced on YouTube. While the footage is not anything groundbreaking, we get some footage of the overworld, and an activity that seems to involve throwing Pyukumuku back into the ocean. The player can be seen talking to an NPC at the end, giving the trainer payment for their duty. It also seems to take place on a beach of some sort, though we can’t pinpoint where just yet.

It may be three days old, but the video was unlisted until now. What do you guys think about the new footage shown?