The Evolution of Pokemon Go: What’s Changed Since Launch

Pokémon GO has become an instant sensation globally since it launched in 2016; things have changed since that day. Currently, the game is hardly recognisable from the original that was initially played. Over the last five years, the company has polished and upgraded almost every aspect of the experience by creating mobile adventures that closely edge toward what players experience in the mainline Pokémon titles.

Gym and Raid Battles

At first, all Gym interaction was extremely basic and limited. Big things, however, changed in 2017 with the introduction of Raid Battles to gather players together to catch Legendary Pokémon. Not only did this new phenomenon shift the perception of how players saw Pokémon GO, but it also reoriented the mainline series as well, leading to the creation of features such as Max Raid Battles in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Certain players were now able to gain Pokecoins from Gym defences, providing a means of accessing premium content without money.

Trainer Battles

Catching Pokémon was the most important hook in GO at first, and battling was absent. This absence was remedied with the local trainer battles that were introduced by Niantic in 2018, with the introduction of GO Battle League in 2020 as well, which involve 3v3 competitive battles for players worldwide. The cult was fully indoctrinated with the coming of Team GO Rocket in 2019, thus adding an exciting mix of AI showdowns with Shadow Pokémon and significant boss battles against villains like Giovanni.

Community Days and Live Events 

The buzz for Shiny Pokémon reached a fever pitch after Shiny Magikarp's debut in 2017. That rolled into Community Days each month, with the promise of heightened Shiny chances and exclusive rewards. Seasonal celebrations and large events such as GO Fest have continued to provide new oxygen to Pokémon GO, attributing the game's dynamism and constantly evolving experience.

After five years of growth, Pokémon GO has been more than a craze; it is an integral component of the world of Pokémon, ever-changing. With Niantic committed to regular updates and working on fan suggestions, the future promises even more adventures for trainers worldwide.

Written By- Farjana Jamal, Freelancer, India Today Gaming.