With 2022 just around the corner, plenty of video games are gearing up for the New Year, and that includesPokemon GO. The game already has anannual New Year’s eventunderway, but that isn’t the only thing that Niantic has in store forPokemon GOplayers.
Earlier today, Niantic posted a new loading screen image forPokemon GOto celebrate the New Year and the surprises that will come next year. The image itself shows a Pokemon trainer with a Growlithe, the legendary Raikou, and other Pokemon gathered together to watch fireworks going off in the distance. Among the gathered Pokemon, the new loading screen shows what could be some of the first new Pokemon added intoPokemon GOnext year.
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The new loading screen also shows the Pokemon Helioptile and Flabebe featured in the image as well. Helioptile can be found to the left of Growlithe in the picture, while multiple Flabebe are shown at the bottom of the image watching the fireworks alongside the trainer. With the inclusion of both Pokemon in the loading screen, it hints that they could be the first new Pokemon that Niantic adds toPokemon GOin 2022.
The Pokemon Helioptile and Flabebe are both native to the Kalos region, the main setting that debuted in the gamePokemon XandY. Flabebe is a Fairy-type Pokemon that can evolve into the Pokemon Floette which evolves into Florges, and Helioptile is an Electric and Normal-type Pokemon that evolves into the Pokemon Heliolisk with a Sun Stone. Both Pokemon offer something to the game, but it has not been officially confirmed if they will be inPokemon GO.
With the year almost over, Niantic is already setting the stage forPokemon GO’sfuture in 2022. Along with the current New Year’s event, the developer has also released a list of theJanuary 2022 eventsthat will take place inPokemon GO. Niantic also revealed that the first Community Day for 2022 will take place on Sunday, January 16, and the event will feature plenty of activities and bonuses for players to experience inPokemon GO.
Players will be able to continue theSeason of Heritage inPokemon GOthat started on December 1 and will continue until Tuesday, June 25, 2025. There will also be the event called Mountains of Power that starts on Friday, July 05, 2025, and ends on February 1st. There will also be a second Electric and Steel-themed event inspired by the Kanto Power Plant that takes place from May 24, 2025, to February 1st as well.
Pokemon GOis available now for Android and iOS mobile devices.
