A dedicated Pokemon GO player recently ventured to an isolated area to determine the presence of fellow trainers or to see if it was merely a hotspot for spoofing. Launched in 2016, Pokemon GO is an augmented reality mobile game that encourages players to use their GPS to discover, catch, train, and battle Pokémon. Over its nine-year lifespan, the game has expanded its roster from an initial 150 species to include hundreds more.
Currently, players are celebrating the Water Festival, which offers various incentives such as extra candy, an event-themed trainer pose, and a limited-time Lapras wearing a scarf. Additionally, this event introduces one half of an iconic Generation 9 duo to the game, with anticipation building for the partner’s arrival. Trainers can take advantage of these festivities until July 20, maximizing their chances of capturing numerous water-type Pokémon.
Looking ahead, Pokemon GO has lined up an exciting Monday with more events, particularly featuring Latios and Latias. A 50-minute YouTube video by Trainer Tips ultimately highlighted the challenges of spoofing in the game, documenting a trip to Kiritimati, the world’s least visited county. This Pacific island, home to fewer than 8,000 residents, has become notorious for spoofing since it operates on the UTC+14 time zone, allowing players early access to global events.
Despite Niantic’s (now Scopely) stance against spoofing, the video showcased a significant problem, revealing a lack of real players during raids. For trainers, there remains plenty to anticipate in the mobile game, from upcoming events to limited-time raids. Notably, players should mark July 19 on their calendars to catch a special Gigantamax Pokémon, alongside enjoying the ongoing Delightful Days season until September 2, which promises new Max Pokémon debuts and community days.