It has been a disappointing year for Pokémon GO fans with event issues and event cancellations. Very few new features have been added to Pokémon GO in 2017 after a hugely successful 2016 and now Niantic has announced they are working on a new game Harry Potter: Wizards Unite despite many core Pokémon franchise gameplay features such as PvP Battling and Trading still not in the game.

In July, CEO John Hanke of Niantic was interviewed by Andrew Webster of The Verge to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Pokémon Go and it was revealed that development of Pokémon GO was already 6 months behind schedule. In September, Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara in an interview with Bloomberg Technology stated that Pokémon GO is only 10 percent complete. This has many fans of the game extremely concerned that with Niantic shifting development to a new game, it will affect the the development of Pokémon GO. Niantic has attempted to quell these concerns with a blog post stating that there are "amazing features in 2018".

Looking ahead

Trainers, Just like many of you, we're super excited about Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and are working hard with our partners at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and WB Games San Francisco’s development team to bring that to life. However, we–the Pokémon GO development team–want to say that we are 100% committed to creating an ever-changing and growing game that gets our players exploring, meeting each other, and deepening their connection to the Pokémon universe. We're actively expanding the Pokémon GO development team to build many more amazing features in 2018. Stay tuned for an update next week on upcoming improvements to certain features.

Our Ingress, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, and Pokémon GO development teams are all hiring. You can take a look at our postings and apply online here.

Thanks, The Pokémon GO development team

Source: https://nianticlabs.com/blog/devupdate111017/

Niantic has announced Pokémon GO Week in Korea will take place from Saturday, November 4th, 2017 until Sunday, November 12th, 2017.

Pokémon GO Week in Korea

Trainers, "Pokémon FESTA" is being hosted by Pokémon Korea and will be held in Korea from Saturday, November 4th, 2017 until Sunday, November 12th, 2017. During this event, the probability of Pokémon appearing is higher than usual in all parts of Korea (except for some areas)!

There is even more amazing news as Trainers in Seoul will be able to play Raid Battles with Freezer, Thunder, Fire and Lugia during the period of Friday, November 10th, 2017 until Sunday, November 12th, 2017. There is also a chance to catch Mr. Mime and Unknown!

Pokémon FESTA is going to be a great event. If you are a trainer in Korea, please come to Seoul and take part in this event!

Date: Saturday, November 4th, 2017 until Sunday, November 12th, 2017
Location: All of Korea (except for some areas) / Seoul / Lotte World Mall
Cost: Free

Source: http://pokemongolive.com/ko/post/pokemonfesta

Niantic has announced that the 2017 Halloween Event for Pokémon GO will start on October 20 at 12:00 P.M. PDT and run until November 2 at 1:00 P.M. PDT.

Halloween treats coming to Pokémon GO!

Gastly, Drowzee, Cubone, and other spooky Pokémon are back again this Halloween, and this time, they’re bringing some special friends! Sableye, Banette, and a few other Ghost-type Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region will be making their first-ever appearance in Pokémon GO. The rest of the Pokémon first seen in the Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire video games will gradually arrive starting as early as December! We hope Trainers enjoy this special Halloween treat. The Halloween celebration will start on October 20 at 12:00 P.M. PDT and run until November 2 at 1:00 P.M. PDT.

A special Pikachu will be out celebrating Halloween in an all-new costume, and you can, too! Dress up your avatar for the occasion by wearing Mimikyu’s Disguise Hat. You’ll also earn extra Candy while you’re out trick-or-treating with your Buddy Pokémon: Candy rewards from catching, hatching, and transferring Pokémon will be doubled, and your buddy will find Candy twice as fast during the Halloween celebration! Last but not least, you’ll have the opportunity to stock up for your upcoming adventures with special boxes from the in-game shop, featuring items such as Raid Passes and Super Incubators.

While you’re out looking for Sableye, Banette, and other spooky Pokémon, use your Pokémon GO AR camera to capture festive photos and share them on social media using #PokemonGOHalloween. As always, make sure to remain alert and aware of your surroundings while playing Pokémon GO this season.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/halloween2017

YouTube Video - Spooky Pokémon Sableye, Banette, and Others Arrive in Pokémon GO!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqTTNgyJm-o

Niantic has announced a Pokémon GO AR Photo Contest. Players can upload a picture to their Instagram account and the top 10 submissions get a Pokémon GO Prize Pack.

Pokémon GO AR Photo Contest

Trainers, Starting today, we’re challenging you to snap epic Pokémon GO AR photos and post them on Instagram using the hashtag #PokemonGOcontest. If your AR photo is selected as one of the top 10 submissions, you’ll win a Pokémon GO Prize Pack containing a Pokémon GO Plus, a poster autographed by the Pokémon GO team, and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. You only have until October 25 to submit your best AR photo, so go on an adventure, take a photo, and share it with us on Instagram!

Good luck!

Source: http://pokemongolive.com/en/post/arphotocontest

Niantic has announced Pokémon GO version 0.77.1 for Android and 1.47.1 for iOS. Patch notes are listed below.

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.77.1 for Android and 1.47.1 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.77.1 for Android and 1.47.1 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• A confirmation dialogue now appears when attempting to transfer costumed Pokémon.
• Costumed Pokémon can no longer be mass-transferred.
• Resolved a bug causing occasional network errors while battling in Gyms.
• Resolved a bug causing Raid Battle lobbies to display the incorrect number of Trainers preparing for battle.
• Resolved a bug causing the Pokémon selected in the Raid Battle lobby to be reset after clicking the items button.
• Resolved a bug where some Curveballs weren’t registering properly.
• Various bug fixes and performance updates.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-100717

Niantic has announced that Pokémon GO version 0.75.0 for Android and 1.45.0 for iOS is now available to download. In addition, they also announced an Equinox Event where players can earn double Stardust for catching Pokémon and hatching Eggs.

Celebrate the Equinox!

Trainers, With cool autumn nights quickly approaching in the Northern Hemisphere and sunny spring days arriving in the Southern Hemisphere, we thought it would be the perfect time to celebrate the coming equinox with an in-game event. New seasons mean new adventures!

From 1:00 P.M. PDT on September 22 to 1:00 P.M. PDT on October 2, 2017, you’ll have the opportunity to earn double Stardust for catching Pokémon and hatching Eggs as you walk around your neighborhood discovering new sights. While you’re out exploring, be sure to visit your local PokéStops and Gyms to collect special 2 km Eggs that have the opportunity to hatch Pokémon such as Chansey, Mareep, Larvitar, and more. You’ll also be able to get special boxes from the in-game shop that feature items like Lucky Eggs, Lure Modules, and all-new Super Incubators which hatch Eggs 1.5 times quicker!

Registering a new Pokémon to your Pokédex during this limited-time celebration will earn you triple the normal XP. So that makes this a very good time to battle against the Legendary Pokémon originally from the Johto region. Don’t forget that Raikou, Entei, or Suicune will each travel to a new part of the world on September 30, so make sure to battle the Legendary Pokémon currently in your area while you can!

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/equinox2017

Pokémon GO updated to version 0.75.0 for Android and 1.45.0 for iOS

Trainers, Pokémon GO is in the process of being updated to version 0.75.0 for Android and 1.45.0 for iOS devices. Below are some release notes and comments from our development team.

• Items received from spinning Gym PokéStops and completing Raid Battles are now displayed in the Journal.
• Improved Pokémon Collection screen search functionality enables Trainers to search using “Defender” and “Legendary.”
• Resolved a bug that caused Pikachu hats to disappear from the in-game model and icon.
• Resolved a bug that caused some icons to disappear when scrolling through the Pokédex.
• Various bug fixes and performance updates.

Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/ver-update-091817

To help promote the Global Goals initiative, Niantic has announced that a Global Goals shirt will be available for all player's avatars to wear in Pokémon GO.

Standing with the Global Goals

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development, which set out to end extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030. Earlier this year, we announced a set of Pokémon GO game locations in collaboration with Global Goals during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Each of these 17 PokéStops represented the individual Global Goals, shedding light on the causes that they stand for and on our mission to foster discovery around the world.

Soon, we’ll be adding an all-new avatar item to your wardrobe–the Global Goals shirt. This free shirt gives you and the millions of Trainers around the world the opportunity to stand with us as we look to show our support for initiatives that make the world a better place like the Global Goals.

We hope everyone will join us in having their avatar wear the Global Goals shirt proudly to show their support and spread awareness for these critically important Goals.

Source: https://nianticlabs.com/blog/globalgoals/

Tweet with Video

Trainers, it’s time for a style change! Join us in raising awareness around Global Goals by wearing the new free #GlobalGoals shirt. pic.twitter.com/UmIUWlNgRp

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) September 18, 2017

Niantic has revealed some new Pokémon GO events that will take place around the world throughout September and October 2017.

Viva Calle San Jose

Explore San Jose through the lens of Pokémon GO - see new neighborhoods, connect with community members, and visit significant and interesting PokéStops.

Viva CalleSJ is a free program that temporarily closes miles of San Jose streets to bring communities together to walk, bike, skate, play, and explore the city like never before.

Each year's event opens upwards of six miles of streets, through some of San Jose's most iconic neighborhoods for people to come out and play for the day!

Date: September 17th, 2017

Philly Free Streets

Explore Philadelphia with Pokémon GO by joining this City of Philadelphia initiative and taking a car-free adventure through Philadelphia, visiting historic locations, and meeting other players.

Date: October 28th, 2017

A study titled: Pokémon GO and psychological distress, physical complaints, and work performance among adult workers: a retrospective cohort study was published online on September 7th, 2017 in Scientific Reports. The full study is available on Nature.com.

"The study examines the effects that Pokémon GO has on mental health and the relationships between Pokémon GO and psychological distress from an existing workers’ cohort in Japan. Online surveys were conducted to 3,915 full-time workers, at baseline (Nov 26, 2015–Feb 18, 2016) and at follow-up (Dec 1–4, 2016), using a self-report questionnaire.

The results of the study supported their primary hypotheses, indicating significantly better improvement of psychological distress among Pokémon GO players compared to non-players. The quantitative findings are the first scientific suggestion for the effects of Pokémon GO, the new mobile application game utilizing augmented reality, on mental health among workers.

The present study suggests that the working population may also enjoy the benefits of playing Pokémon GO, such as improved mental health. Our findings are in line with a previous study which reported that Pokémon GO could have health benefits for participants with different demographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex) because the negative association between playing Pokémon GO, and psychological distress remained after adjustment (sex, age, smoking and drinking habits, and job stressors). Therefore, playing games utilizing the technology of augmented reality could be recommended among workers with various characteristics."

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-11176-2

Niantic has posted more information and new dates about upcoming Pokémon GO Safari Zone events being held across the world during September and October 2017.

Pokémon GO Safari Zone Event Updates, New Dates and More

Trainers, The first series of Pokémon GO Safari Zone events in Europe are just around the corner! On September 16, official Pokémon GO Safari Zone activities will be taking place at Unibail-Rodamco Shopping Centres located at CentrO in Oberhausen (Germany), Les Quatre Temps in Paris (France) and La Maquinista in Barcelona (Spain).

At each Pokémon GO Safari Zone event, Trainers will receive an in-game medal and special 2 km Eggs from the various PokéStops found at each of these shopping centers. Lures will be activated all day at each PokéStop at the event so Trainers can catch Pokémon together, including Kangaskhan, Chansey, Larvitar, and others. Trainers in the area may even spot Shiny Pikachu, Shiny Magikarp, and various forms of Unown! In order to optimize the experience for all Trainers attending, Gym and Raid Battles will not be available at these shopping centers during the events.

The Pokémon GO Safari Zone events will give Trainers the chance to meet one another and catch up in the team lounges. Attendees will also receive Trainer kits for joining the day’s Pokémon-catching activities. Throughout each of the participating shopping centers, special offers for Pokémon GO Trainers will be available in select stores.

Trainers will soon be able to reserve free, nontransferable tickets to each of the Pokémon GO Safari Zone events taking place on September 16. To receive a QR Code, which is required to participate in the event, the person who claims the ticket must be over the age of 13 and be present with a valid photo ID.

In addition, Trainers who were unable to get tickets will be able to discover and catch some of the Pokémon found at the Pokémon GO Safari Zones events throughout the city where the shopping center is located. We hope everyone will get a chance to explore these amazing cities while looking for Pokémon!

Visit your local shopping center’s Facebook page for information on reserving a ticket to the Pokémon GO Safari Zone events in Oberhausen, Germany; Paris, France; and Barcelona, Spain on September 16.

We’re also happy to announce the new dates for the Pokémon GO Safari Zone events in Denmark, Czech Republic, Sweden and The Netherlands. These dates now include:

• October 7, 2017
  • Fisketorvet—Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Centrum Černý Most—Prague, The Czech Republic
• October 14, 2017
  • Mall of Scandinavia—Stockholm, Sweden
  • Stadshart Amstelveen—Amstelveen, The Netherlands

We’ll be revealing more information on tickets for these events soon. Please visit the local shopping center’s Facebook pages for updates. We’re looking forward to meeting and catching Pokémon with all of the Trainers able to join us!
Source: http://pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/en/post/safarizoneupdate2