Niantic recently launched an update from Pokemon Go that didn’t include many highlights in the patch notes.
In fact, the only thing listed by Niantic that had changed in version 0.79.2 for Android and 1.49.2 for iOS was this:
“Various bug fixes and performance updates.”
However, since dataminers took the time to look at things a little closely, we now know there’s a lot more than just that.
For instance, we now know that the Pokemon Go Halloween 2017 event will include the first Gen 3 Pocket Monsters.
It seems likely that they will be the initial wave of Pokemon added to the game through Generation 3, with the rest likely to follow.
This would be similar to how Gen 2 baby Pokemon were the first to arrive, followed by over 70+ more.
It took another two months before we saw the rest show up, and that would mean a launch around Christmas Day for Gen 3.
When it comes to the big Pokemon Go Halloween launch, Niantic have yet to confirm when it will arrive.
Last year’s Pokemon Go Halloween spookfest kicked off on October 26th and ended on November 1.
It seems Niantic could follow the same dates for in 2017, although no announcement has been made so far.
As mentioned above, the new Pokemon Go Halloween event looks set to only include Ghost and Dark-type Pocket Monsters.
Gen 3 Ghost Types include Shuppet, Banette, Mega Banette, Duskull and Dusclops, which is a nice selection for a limited time event.
Here’s more from the team at the Pokemon Go Hub on the subject, including a new badge being found, among other bug fixes.
Pokemon Go dataminers have been keeping track of Gen 3 code popping up in the game’s master files over the past few months.
The last piece that was missing were the audio files required to make Pocket Monster cries, which have now been added.
A new Badge entry was also discovered in reference to the Gen 3 Pokédex entries, as well as a brand new Halloween 2017 loading screen.
The loading screen is the biggest confirmation of a Gen 3 launch around Halloween, as it shows new Pokemon being part of the event.
There was also new support for in-game night time Halloween music, which could only add to the spooky fun.
Dataminers did caution that new moves and abilities are still required, but that seem likely to be added in a small update before the launch of the Halloween event.