How Pokemon GO Could Make Timed Events More Accessible

Highlights

Timed Research events in Pokemon GO have received mixed feedback due to a lack of consistency and accessibility, preventing new and casual players from fully enjoying the game. Niantic should make these events more accessible.
While timed events add variety and incentivize frequent play, there can be too many events to keep up with, overwhelming players. Streamlining the overall event schedule would be beneficial.
Some timed events have short time limits, which goes against the spirit of the game that encourages playing at different times. Many players, such as those in school or at work, are unable to participate due to these arbitrary time limits.

Ever since their introduction to Pokemon GO, Timed Research events have had a mixed reception from players over the years, with the main reason being a lack of consistency and accessibility that Niantic could easily rectify. While the fact that certain events are only available in Pokemon GO for a price is its own problem, the added complication of giving these and other free events a deadline prevents many new and casual players from fully enjoying Pokemon GO. Given that these events add stories, characters, and quests to liven up Pokemon GO's standard gameplay loop, Niantic should be committed to making these as accessible as possible.

One simple means of improving this accessibility would be looking at how long these timed events can be and how they are scheduled alongside Pokemon GO's other in-game content like Special Research. Though some events like the recent Winter Wishes and Frosty Festivities were made available throughout early December, others are barely available for one day, such as Community Days, with even a few only lasting for a few hours at best. Combined with a near-constant cycle of news about current or upcoming events, it's unsurprising that Pokemon GO players are unhappy with Timed Research events due to a deadline.

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Special Events Add Variety to Pokemon GO

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Objectively, there is nothing wrong with Pokemon GO featuring timed events throughout the year as, in doing so, players are incentivized to play as frequently as possible in order to make the most out of the game. It also helps provide something new so that Pokemon GO's gameplay doesn't feel repetitive over time, especially if completing these timed events offers special rewards such as new or rarer Pokemon.

For example, Pokemon GO 's Community Days are often dedicated to one specific Pokemon, such as starter Pokemon or pseudo-legendaries, giving players the chance to both catch and evolve these rare Pokemon with the bonus of potentially finding one that's shiny or 4-stars.

Pokemon GO is Going Overboard with Events

However, it is possible to have too much of a good thing, and though Pokemon GO has an ever-evolving cycle of Timed Research events throughout the year, sometimes there are just too many to keep up with. For instance, there were approximately thirteen time-sensitive events during September 2023, ranging from the month-long Timed Investigation: Master Ball to multiple Pokemon-specific events for Growlithe, Lechonk, Grubbin, and Azurill as per the table below. Though other months can be less hectic, streamlining Pokemon GO's overall event schedule will help encourage new or casual players who might otherwise be put off by the constant volume of events.

Event Name	Time Available To Complete	Event Rewards
Timed Investigation: Master Ball	September 1, 2023 to November 21, 2023	1x Master Ball 3,000 Stardust 100,000 XP (in total)
Community Day Classic: Charmander	September 2, 2023	300 Charizard Mega Energy 1,000 XP
Lechonk's Adventure	September 5, 2023 to September 15, 2023	6x Lechonk Encounters 900 Stardust 900 XP
Everyone Starts Somewhere (available as part of Pokemon GO's Championship Series 2024)	September 2023 to August 2024	1x Noctowl Encounter 1x Alolan Sandslash Encounter 1x Sableye Encounter 1x Lanturn Encounter 1x Medicham Encounter 1x Swampert Encounter 50 Meditite Candy 10,000 Stardust 1x Charged TM
Lure Up! (available as part of Pokemon GO's Championship Series 2024)	September 2023 to August 2024	1x Lure Module 1x Fast TM 1x Flabebe Encounter
I've Got Your Back	September 10, 2023 to September 15, 2023	1x Egg Incubator 2x Pawmi Encounters 10x Silver Pinap Berries 3x Rare Candies 1x Pawmi backpack 921 Stardust 9,210 XP
Aao Khele Pokemon GO (exclusive to India)	September 15, 2023 to October 14, 2023	10x Razz Berries 10x Nanab Berries 10x Pinap Berries 1x Incense 30x Poke Ball 15x Great Ball
Oddish Limited Research Day	September 17, 2023	None
Psychic Spectacular	September 20, 2023 to Sepember 24, 2023	1x Solosis Encounter 30x Poke Ball 1x Egg Incubator
Community Day: Grubbin	September 23, 2023	1x Magnetic Lure Module 1,000 XP
Out to Play: Timed Research	September 23, 2023	1x Incense 1x Hisuian Growlithe Encounter 1x Egg Incubator 5,000 Stardust
Tails of Adventure	September 23, 2023	5x Kantonian Growlithe Encounters 6x Hisuian Growlithe Encounters 2x Egg Incubators 1x Super Incubator
Azurill Hatch Day	September 30, 2023	1x Super Incubator 1,000 XP

Another factor to consider while streamlining this schedule is that sometimes timed events can overlap with one another, ultimately creating a confusing and mismatched gameplay experience. As part of September's special events, all-new Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet were being added to Pokemon GO, leading to those like Lechonk becoming the focus of certain Timed Research events.

However, other timed events for Charmander and its eventual Mega Evolution and the Master Ball were also available during the same month, meaning they were overshadowed by the more exciting update of Scarlet and Violet 's Gen 9 Pokemon .

Sometimes There's Just Not Enough Time for Pokemon GO

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Beyond the chaotic schedule, Pokemon GO could improve its quality of life for time-sensitive events by ensuring players have enough time to participate. Though many timed events are available for days or even weeks at a time, there are still some that last barely a few hours at most.

This punishing time limit arguably contradicts the spirit of Pokemon GO as the game actively encourages people to play at different times or even when the weather changes. Moreover, since Pokemon GO is enjoyed by all kinds of players who might be in school or at work, these time limits can arbitrarily prevent so many from taking part.