"Pokémon GO" a year later. What has remained of all this frenzy and why getting back into it is worth the diversions?
13.7.2017
Translation: machine translated
A year ago, it was impossible to go anywhere without running into people playing "Pokémon GO". Battery backup was all the rage and every shop with a Pokéstop had become a temporary hotspot. Now it's time to see where the pocket monsters stand.
Videos of people running around parks to catch special Pokémon are a thing of the past. Today, you rarely see anyone throwing Pokéballs at invisible monsters with their mobile phone. A year ago, things were very different. Wherever you went, people were huddled together, hunched over their smartphones, hooked up to battery backup.
"Pokémon GO" launches on 6 July in the US and, shortly after, on 16 July in Switzerland. I've never seen anything as successful as the first launch. It felt like the whole world was playing it. All my office colleagues were crazy about it, almost everyone in my circle of friends was into it and, of course, all Pokémon fans were playing it. The combination of collecting fever, gaming and environmental involvement hit like a bomb.
Something has happened
Developer Niantic hasn't been twiddling its thumbs over the past 12 months. At first, many players criticised the lack of variety. New things await those who get back into the game.
The system for finding nearby Pokémon has been revised several times. The initial solution with the little feet was not retained. Now it's possible to see at Pokéstop which Pokémon are nearby. Sarah thought the feet were much better.
A second generation of Pokémon is added to the first. There are now more than 200 multi-coloured monsters to capture.
No big party
There isn't really an anniversary event planned for Pokémon GO. From July 6 to July 24, Pikachu can be captured with Sasha's cap. Anniversary boxes containing various useful items such as incubators, ultra balls and at least one premium raid pass are also on sale.
Special events are still being organised, though. In Europe, there are three. In these safari zones, intercontinental Pokémon such as Tauros, Kangama or Porenta can also be collected in other regions. PoGo players in Zurich are planning to travel to Germany. My friend is even going to Paris with her husband just for the occasion. [[image:8191115]]
What's still missing
If you want even more Pokémon in your life:
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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