Pokemon Go Fest 2018: Chicago start time, shiny Plusle, Celebi research

Pokemon Go Fest 2018 will be looking to carry on the game’s top summer performance with another cracking event.

It could prove a time that Niantic can right a few wrongs from last year’s Fest, which saw connection problems affect things badly for fans.

The good news was that the development team ended the day by releasing a lot of Legendary birds to catch.

This saw players hit the streets of Chicago and the surrounding areas of Lincoln Park en masse, ringing back to the first days of the game.

POKEMON GO FEST 2018:

Much like we saw with the Safari Zone event earlier this year, Pokemon Go Fest will include stuff to do for fans on sight, and around the world.

You may not be able to see any Pokemon in Lincoln Park; however, Pokemon featured in Pokémon Go Fest habitats will appear all over the world on July 14 and 15.

There’s also rumours that Trainers will get to face a new Pokemon, or unlock it, during the big event.

Fans believe that a Celebi Research Quest will be activated during the event, which will include several parts to complete.

This will come in five parts in total and will require players on the ground to do all they can to reach the end.

It’s unclear if this will be activated around the world at the same time, although it seems likely that this will be a Pokemon Go Fest exclusive, at least for the first day.

Questline dialogue has been found that supports it going live during Pokemon Go Fest 2018, and would undoubtedly prove popular with those in attendance.

There are also new bonuses going live today, including being able to catch more Shiny Plusle and Minum in the wild, as well as increased spawns that give bonus Stardust.

Alolan Diglett and Alolan Geodude are also expected to be coming our way during today’s big event.

POKEMON GO FEST TIMES

According to Niantic, players will be able to activate their wristband at the check-in PokéStops at the assigned entry point in Lincoln Park (North or South) starting at 10 A.M.

So for players in the UK, this would be around 4pm, BST.

Upon check-in, the app will unlock the Pokémon GO Fest 2018 elements needed to participate in the event.

Ticket holders may only attend one day of the event. Those who purchase a ticket and activate their QR code on Saturday, July 14 will be unable to see or interact with Pokémon within the park on Sunday, July 15 – even if a Sunday ticket is also purchased.

POKEMON GO GLOBAL CHALLENGE

Players around the world will be able to join in on the action by completing research tasks throughout the day

Each region needs to complete 5 million of these to unlock special bonuses, as well as those attending in Chicago, who have to hit 100,000.

It should be noted that some global challenges have started and should be counting towards the grand total in these regions: Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.

This will be followed by The Americas and the Asia-Pacific Region.

Rewards that can be unlocked include things like increased Candy, Hatch Candy, Raid rare Candy and decreased egg hatching distances.

According to those already tracking the big event, the rewards will unlock between July 16, to July 23.

And if all of these research task rewards are unlocked, Niantic will top everything off with a new Zapdos Day, which will see the legendary bird appear in Gyms.

This was done for Articuno and is something that is likely for all the birds from gen 1.

ZAPDOS DAY

Zapdos Day will see shiny raids pop up for a short amount of time, probably around three hours, much like Community Days.

“Are you ready for round two of Professor Willow’s Global Challenge? Starting July 14 through July 15, each area of the world will have to meet the challenge requirements during Pokémon GO Fest in Chicago, USA,” a message from Niantic explains.

“If each area achieves its respective goals, Candy-related bonuses will unlock starting on July 16—including bonuses for catching Pokémon and participating in Raid Battles.

“Trainers can also unlock a bonus to reduce the distance needed to hatch Eggs.

If all goals are achieved, Trainers all over the globe will be able to receive up to five free Raid passes when they spin a Photo Disc at a Gym during Zapdos Day, featuring the Legendary Pokémon Zapdos.

“On Saturday, July 21, Zapdos will be exclusively available in Raid Battles around the world for a three-hour period.

“During that time, all Zapdos caught will know the Fast Attack Thundershock. You might even encounter a Shiny Zapdos.”