'Pokémon GO' Updates in the Pipeline; Legendary Pokémon Expected to Arrive This Year
Though there is no official word yet from Niantic Labs, the developer of "Pokémon GO," reports speculate that a major game update is on its way and the arrival of Legendary Pokémon is highly expected this year.
As the name suggests, Legendary Pokémon are some of the rarest and most powerful monsters in the entire world of Pokémon. They are so mighty that they are the subject of several myths and legends that surround various regions of the Pokémon world.
In the previous titles of the "Pokémon" franchise, the Legendary Pokémon are distinguished as having extremely high statistics and are more often obtainable through limited-time events. Acquiring several Legendary Pokémon are possible in the previous games, but a trainer would have to trade some significant items to do it.
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As for "Pokémon GO," though details are scarce about the Legendary Pokémon's schedule of arrival, it has already been confirmed that it will happen before the year ends. Early last month, Niantic Labs chief executive officer John Hanke told the German website WIRED, "I can say with certainty that we will see it more this year."
However, players are advised not to expect a complete list of known Legendary Pokémon to arrive in the game. The same WIRED report only mentioned five of them: Mew, Mewtwo, and legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. The three legendary birds are pretty much a given since they have already been introduced in the hit augmented-reality mobile game in the form of team mascots.
On the other hand, "Pokémon GO" director Tatsuo Nomura had also previously teased that they are planning to explore more of the distinct characteristics and abilities of every monster. Talking to Polygon during the Game Developers Conference last March, the game director said: "The value of Pokémon is that each one is very unique, and they have their own stories and characteristics. I do want to preserve and if possible enhance that aspect as they're not all the same."
Meanwhile, there are reports that speculate on other major added features to arrive in the AR game. Slash Gear claims they have a source that told them developers are considering adding team missions to "Pokémon GO."
The major update with Legendary Pokémon is expected to arrive in late 2017.
