When Pokémon GO was released in the Philippines in August 2016, the hype was real. Virtually anyone with a smartphone was playing it. People were running around trying to catch all the Pokémon they can find and looting anything that is dropped by a Poké Stop.
Then, after a few weeks, the game was smashed to oblivion.
After 2 years of its release in the country, the number of players may have dropped significantly but the hardcore fans are still running around the city to catch some of the best Pokémon. Groups have been formed to best enjoy the game. In some cases, they even go around the city in groups to have better chances of winning battles and catching rare Pokémon.
One of the hardcore Pokémon GO players I know is my gym bud, Michael Arevalo. (When I say gym bud, it is a literal fitness gym and not a Pokemon gym. Sadly, I stopped playing the game a long time ago.)
Michael travels around the city (and even outside of the country) to play Pokémon GO, to join Niantic-scheduled events, and to catch regional Pokémon.
An interview with a Level 40 Pokémon GO Player
What got you into PoGo?
Growing up, I always loved Pokémon but not enough to get me to try Pokémon games like Sun and Moon, and even mobile games. What got me into the Pokémon Go is the augmented reality set-up that requires players to explore the outdoors. I have an active lifestyle so walking around by an extra hour or two with a goal of not just burning calories is a big plus.
Who is your favorite Pokémon? And Least?
Tyranitar. I own a male and female perfect IV Tyranitar! Tyra is one of the strongest rock-type Pokémon in the game. I use my Tyras almost all the time in battles.
As for my least favorite, uhm, I guess Rattata. Rattatas don’t do much. Evolving them for an extra XP is relatively costly too.
Why did you keep on playing despite when the hype died down?
I made friends who share the same passion for the game. We created a group chat dedicated to having organized raids and as a medium in reporting “rare Pokémon” encounters. The group which is based in Eastwood has over 150 active members. There are similar groups in other locations such as UP, Marikina and Pearl Drive. You’ll be surprised how active these GCs are – which proves that PoGo fever hasn’t really died down.
How would you convince a non-PoGO player to try it?
Hmm. This is a tough one. For starters, I wouldn’t convince someone to try it if he refuses to spend a couple of hours a day to roam around. PoGO requires players to get on their feet and: (1) hatch eggs; (2) spin Pokestops for additional items and new quests; (3) join raid battles; and/or (4) hunt for perfect IVs and Shinies.
The best way, for me, to try to convince someone to start playing, assuming he is up for the challenge, is to invite him in one of the exclusive raid battles against Mewtwo – there’s a different kind of excitement seeing how to organize raid battles are and seeing players coming together to defeat raid bosses.
Which countries have you been into for the love of Pokémon Go?
As some of you may know, there are some regional Pokémon’s in the game – endemic to some countries or locations. I visited Hong Kong for Farfetch’d, UAE for Torkoal, and recently, Taiwan for Mr. Mime and Unown during the 2018 Chiayi Lantern Festival.
What are the new features of the game that would likely convince inactive players to get back into playing?
Mythical discovery quest and daily quests have been introduced recently. In discovery quest, once completed, players will have a chance to catch Mew; while a 7-day streak of the daily quest offers players an encounter to one of the Legendary Pokémon’s such as Articuno.
There are also new Pokémon’s being added every now and then. Raid bosses get replaced every month and there are more chances of getting shiny Pokémon’s through the monthly 3-hour community day. But I guess the most exciting one is that Pokémon trading is now live!
What other features do you like to add?
Peer-to-peer battle and Pokémon storage upgrade. It’s also nice to improve the social feature of adding friends by synching them to your account so you can chat with them in-app and see where they are when you grind, say, within a 3km radius.
What do you gain from playing?
Making new friends. The happiness when you look at your Pokedex and realize that you own rare and high Stat Pokémon’s that others may not have is a bonus.
Can you share some of the most memorable things that happened while playing?
I caught perfect Kyogre, Tyranitar, Mewtwo, Dragonite and more!!! — geez, I have chills recalling how I got them.
What is the most extreme thing that you did to catch a Pokémon?
About two years ago, we often visit Luneta for a chance of Lapras or Snorlax encounters. There are instances when we had to hurriedly climb on a fence and invade the then-closed Ocean Park to catch these Pokémon’s. Desperate times, indeed.
Which Pokémon are you excited to catch?
Aside from weather-boosted Legendaries, the rare ones – Pokémon’s with perfect stats and shinies!
If you are to exchange all your Pokémon’s for just one, what Pokémon will be worth the trade?
I wouldn’t trade them.. ever!
