Pokémon GO Delays Air Adventure Event Pikachu Indefinitely
The Pokémon GO Air Adventures collaboration has been delayed indefinitely according to developer Niantic. Players of the mobile game are regularly treated to special events and limited-time promotions, including the recently-announced free YouTube Premium with Pokémon GO promotion. The upcoming Air Adventures event would have given trainers the chance to add new and exclusive pocket monsters to their Pokédex, but its future is now uncertain.
Pokémon GO has become a cultural phenomenon since its release in 2016, giving fans of the franchise the chance to catch Pokémon in "real" life using their mobile devices. The AR game has changed a lot over the years, introducing new core mechanics such as battling, as well as expanding its Pokédex to include more Pokémon than ever before. While free to download, the game offers optional purchasable items and cosmetics, as well as paid events including the ticketed Pokémon GO Fest, taking place on July 17 and 18.
The Pokémon GO Air Adventures collaboration was scheduled to begin later this month, starting July 22. However, the official Pokémon GO website has confirmed the promotion has been delayed indefinitely. While Niantic has not yet revealed the reason behind the delay, the company did confirm more information will be available "once details are finalized." The collaboration would have seen Pokémon GO join forces with Japanese flight company Skymark with the aim of creating memorable travel experiences. As part of the celebration, players would have been given the opportunity to catch the new Okinawa Shirt Pikachu and Shiny Corsola.
The normal variant of Corsola is one of many Pokémon GO catches that are region-specific, making it rare enough without being Shiny. The Air Adventures collaboration planned to introduce the Shiny variant to the Pokédex for the first time with no scheduled end date. Shiny Corsola would have been region-specific and only available to catch in areas where regular Corsola can be found, meaning Florida, Australia (Northern border), Mexico, and the Caribbean. Okinawa Shirt Pikachu would have been even rarer, only being available in Okinawa, Japan, until sometime in 2022.
While the indefinite delay is a blow to those hoping to add the new releases to their collection, there are still plenty of things to look forward to in Pokémon GO. The game is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a range of events including the recently-concluded Bidoof Day, as well as spotlight showcases during which Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander can be caught. Some players have criticized the events for depleting Pokéballs ahead of Pokémon GO Fest, which they believe is encouraging players to purchase more. Despite the controversy, many players are still looking forward to the music-themed Fest taking place later this month.
Pokémon GO is available on iOS and Androids devices.
Source: Pokémon GO, Pokémon GO/Twitter