The coronavirus pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on the video game industry, and Niantic’s popular mobile augmented reality gamePokemon GOis no exception. Niantic has made significant changes to the wayPokemon GOplays in order to accommodate for the social distancing that’s happening all over the world right now, and today marks its first real attempt at a Community Day amid the pandemic.
Thepreviously delayed Abra Community Day inPokemon GOis now live in the game for some players. It starts at 11:00am local time and lasts until 5:00pm, with Abra spawns dramatically increased during that time. Like otherPokemon GOCommunity Day events, players will have a much higher chance of catching a shiny Abra if they participate in the day’s events. And thanks to thePokemon GOquality of life changes made due to the coronavirus pandemic, players should be able to catch plenty of Abra without actually leaving their home.
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There’s an extra twist for thisPokemon GOCommunity Day that fans of the game should be aware of. Players can purchase a special event ticket to participate in the Investigating Illusions Special Research, giving them extra tasks to complete while they attempt to catch as many Abra as possible. Players can still technically complete the Special Research once Abra Community Day is over, but it will be much more difficult to do so as the Special Research revolves around catching Abra. Anyone interested can purchase theSpecial Research ticketfor Investigating Illusions for $0.99.
Niantic’s use of paidPokemon GOSpecial Research has proven controversial in the past, and this seems like it will be no different. It doesn’t help that it’s been quite some time since Niantic added proper new Special Research to the game. In fact, the last proper Special Research added toPokemon GOwas theA Thousand Year Slumber quest, which was added back in August of 2019. Special Research since then has required players to purchase a ticket, which in turn have only been available in the game for a limited time.
Niantic has addedTeam Rocket Special ResearchtoPokemon GOsince the A Thousand Year Slumber quest to catch Jirachi, but those tasks are repetitive and repeat from previous Team Rocket Special Research quests. Needless to say, there are some fans who are anxious to have proper Special Research quests in the game yet again, but it’s unclear when Niantic plans to do that.
While fans wait for more information on global Special Research inPokemon GO, they can participate inAbra Community Dayfrom 11:00am to 5:00pm local time.
Pokemon GOis out now for iOS and Android mobile devices.
