Summary
A new update inPokemon ScarletandVioletis changing what’s to be expected fromPokemonin-game events. What once was a series ofdistribution events for special Pokemonthat might trigger an in-game cutscene or a small trip to a secret island have now evolved into real-time miniature adventures that invite players to train their critters to battle strong oncoming threats - at least, if the Get Mew and Mewtwo event is anything to go by.
However, as exciting asScarletandViolet’s Get Mew and Mewtwo event is, it might lead to similar promotions down the line. In some ways, this is great as the new event offers a lot to players in over two weeks, but in others, it’s worrying for the future of the franchise. Despite how manylive-servicePokemongamesthere are currently on the market,Pokemon ScarletandViolet’slatest raid battle is like a live-service event despite being a mainline game.
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Latest Event is Incredible In Terms of Variety
With the addition of internet-based Mystery Gift distributions in more recentPokemongames, the incentive to go to certain game stores and official events to obtain a rare pocket monster had gone down quite a bit. As much as fans ran into trouble with the in-person distributions, there was a lot of nostalgia forobtaining Pokemon like Arceusas they would trigger events in the game themselves that varied from unlocking special areas to activating event-only cutscene triggers. As distribution events changed into something more common, they brought less excitement to players.
After years ofPokemon SwordandShieldstarting a trend that many special events for players would be limited-time raid battles with unique creatures, the pattern has shifted for the better as the Get Mew and Mewtwo event offers tons of smaller events and benefits to build up to the 7-star raids with Mewtwo with the Mightiest Mark inPokemon ScarletandViolet. As players can obtain a unique, personalized Mew and special raid battles to build up designed defenses against Mewtwo before taking the legendary on, Get Mew and Mewtwo is a spectacle from start to finish.
Why Treating Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Like a Live-Service Game Isn’t Good in the Long Run
Unfortunately, as great as the new Mewtwo and Mew event seems, there’s a hard-to-ignore aspect to it that may be a bit of a red flag. When looking at it closely, it acts like an event that would take place in agame likePokemon Masters EXfrom marketing to its in-game offerings, down to having a dedicated title and promotional banner. AsScarletandVioletare flagship console games, these types of events could change how futurePokemonevents behave, which may end up limiting what future generations can accomplish in terms of distribution events.
In the current era of the gaming industry, it’s been discussed at length as to where the line needs to be drawn in terms of supposedlyfinishing games through patches and DLC updates, as well as how much content should require internet access. Despite how many modern-day gamers likely have internet access, some have trouble with stable connections and reliable providers, and making live-service events a constant in console games may upset these players.
WithPokemon, this lack of being mindful of a set playerbase already exists with how some rural and quieter areas inPokemon GOmake playing a chore, with a lack of Poke Stops and Gyms to reliably visit. As such, while Get Mew and Mewtwo is a great start to adding variety to the otherwise formulaicin-game events of mainlinePokemongames, Generation 10 should avoid running too close to live-service titles if these types of raids continue.
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