Evolution: The Video Game launched last year on PC, mobile, and Switch as a digital adaption of the classic 2014 board game. With the game’s direct ties to real-world evolution…
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Pokémon GO Making Quarantine-Friendly Changes to Play from Home
Posted by Eric Watson | Mobile, News | No CommentsWhen many states and countries around the world are sheltering in place during the global coronavirus pandemic, playing a game the requires walking around outside is probably not a great idea. To adjust to this new normal, Pokémon GO is adding several changes that make the AR mobile game easier to play without leaving your own home.
First, everyone will receive one daily bonus Field Research task. Every day at midnight you’ll receive a bonus task without having to spin a PokéStop. The tasks will focus on activities you can do at home.
Buddy pokémon will send gifts to you from PokéStops if you’re running low. You can then send these gifts to friends online.
The Remote Raid Pass will allow you to join any raid on the Nearby screen, without having to physically be near the raid site. The number of Remote Raid Passes that can be used in a raid is currently limited.
In the future, when it’s safe to get together again, the power level of remote users will be reduced. Remote Raid Passes can be purchased for 100 PokéCoins. As an initial bonus, a special 1 PokéCoin bundle also includes Remote Raid Passes.
Finally, pokémon can be powered up faster using candy and stardust, and items will overlap to add their duration. The XP-granting Lucky Egg normally lasts for 30-minutes at a time. Soon you can activate up to 24-hours worth of Lucky Eggs. Watch that phone battery!
Niantic has not announced when these changes will go live. More new updates, such as improved battle screens, are also coming soon. Pokémon GO is free-to-download on mobile devices.
Pokémon GO Social Distancing Includes Halving Hatch Time, Doubling Gym Distance
Posted by Eric Watson | Mobile, News | No CommentsA game that forces you to walk around outside is probably the last thing we need to be playing during the coronavirus pandemic. To help alleviate these issues (avoid losing players), Niantic is making several changes to Pokémon GO.
“We have always believed that our games can include elements of indoor play that complement the outdoor, exercise and explore DNA of what we build,” states Niantic. “Now is the time for us to prioritize this work, with the key challenge of making playing indoors as exciting and innovative as our outdoor gameplay.”
Adventure Sync works indoors just as much as outdoors, tracking steps taken to hatch eggs as long as you have your phone while doing chores or exercising. Future changes will improve Adventure Sync with indoor movements.
Hatching eggs is now much easier, as the requirement for hatching all eggs placed in incubators has been halved. This should fit perfectly with the annual Springtime egg event, which doubles the amount of candy upon hatching, and increases the length of Lucky Eggs to one hour. Unique Field Research rewards include encounters with Alolan Exeggutor and Azumarill, and flower hat-wearing Pikachu will appear in the wild. The Spring event ends April 16.
The distance to interact with Gym battles has also been temporarily doubled, including spinning them as PokéStops from much farther away. For some reason, that double distance does not apply to regular PokéStops, however.
The GO Battle League offers PvP battling from the comfort of your own home. The walking requirements for admission have been reduced to zero, along with discounted prices on poké balls and incense.
Pokémon is free to download on mobile devices.
Disney Mirrorverse Is an Action-RPG Launching on Mobile
Posted by Eric Watson | Mobile, News | No CommentsMobile developer Kabam, along with Disney, have announced Disney Mirrorverse. Disney Mirrorrverse is an action-packed world of Disney and Pixar characters, releasing on mobile devices later this year.
In Disney Mirrroverse, players unlock, assemble (and most likely, purchase) souped-up Disney and Pixar characters called Guardians. Teams of Guardians must defeat waves of enemies in real-time combat by unleashing each character’s special abilities.
“Disney Mirrorverse represents a brave reimagining of iconic Disney and Pixar characters and stories, and we’re delighted to be working with Kabam to bring this original universe to life for players,” said Sean Shoptaw, SVP, Games and Interactive Experiences at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “This stunning new adventure will appeal to Disney fans and die-hard RPG fans alike, and we can’t wait to show players what’s on the other side of the Stellar Mirror.”
“We are beyond excited to bring so many amazing Disney and Pixar characters together, and to present each of them in a heroic light that fans have never seen before,” said Tim Fields, CEO, Kabam. “Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with our friends at Disney to tune and polish this immersive and engaging adventure.”
Disney Mirrorverse is currently in beta testing in select regions. You can sign up for updates at the official website.
Minecraft: Education Edition is Free for Educators to Support Online Teaching
Posted by Eric Watson | Mobile, News, PC | No CommentsSchools around the country and the world are closing to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which means many students and teachers are using online tools for education. Microsoft is helping teachers and students stay connected by offering Minecraft: Education Edition for free to all educators through June 30.
In order to qualify, teachers will need to have a valid Office 365 Education account, and fill out this form. You’ll also need to make sure your school is eligible. If you receive access, you can download Minecraft: Education Edition for Windows, Mac or iOS (iPad). If you don’t have a valid account, or just want to check it out, you can still download the game and try a free demo lesson.
Microsoft has also put together a remote learning toolkit that includes 50 lessons, activities, and projects that educators can use with Minecraft: Education Edition. A new category of educational Minecraft worlds are also available in the Minecraft Marketplace. All of these worlds are free to download through June 30.
“Distance learning requires students to be engaged in content in news ways,” said Becky Keene, Minecraft certified trainer and educator. “As they work remotely, they need to have activities and environments that motivate them to learn. Minecraft supports almost any content area, and students can show me their learning without missing a beat!”
Pokémon GO March Events Include Legendary Raid Weekends
Posted by Eric Watson | Mobile, News | No CommentsMobile Catch ‘Em All Pokémon GO is hosting several special events throughout the month of March, including five-star Legendary Raids every weekend – including Shiny Legendaries.
- Darkrai Special Raid Weekend takes place March 6 – 9.
- Altered Forme Giratina Special Raid Weekend is from March 13 – March 16.
- Cobalion Special Raid Weekend will happen from March 20 to March 23.
- Lugia Special Raid Weekend is scheduled for March 27 to March 30.
All raids begin at 8 am Friday and end 10 pm Monday, local time.
In addition, a new story event, A Drive to Investigate, will take place March 20 to March 23, featuring the arrival of Genesect. The event will include a limited time Story Event where you’ll encounter Genesect – but tickets must be purchased to participate.
Tickets cost $7.99 and can be purchase in-game between March 20 and March 26. Tickets also include battle passes, incubators, TMs, star pieces, and more research objectives that lead to special encounters, including Durant, Scizor, and other Bug and Steel-type pokémon.
During the special event everyone can earn double Stardust rewards from catching and hatching pokémon. Karrablast and Shelmet will hatch more often from 5km eggs, and Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, and Ice-type pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.
The following weekend, March 27 to March 30, will see the return of the Psychic Spectacular event. Psychic pokémon will appear more often in the wild, in raids, and from eggs, including Solosis during the day and Gothita during evening hours.
March will also feature hour-long mini events. The Pokémon Spotlight Hour takes place every Tuesday between 6 and 7 pm local time, and features a large boost in wild pokémon. The Mystery Bonus Hour will run Thursday from 6 to 7 pm and offer a login bonus such as Candy, Stardust, or XP.
Pokémon GO is available on iOS and Android mobile devices.
