Under the bright skies, special tasks and fresh discoveries in Pokémon Go marked Go Fest 2025 in Paris. This occasion also provided an opportunity for players to engage with the creators about upcoming features.
In anticipation of Pokémon Go reaching its 10th anniversary next year, there has been much speculation about the significant milestone that could be coming up. It’s hard to believe we’re almost at the ten-year mark since the initial release of Pokémon Go during the summer!
Following every conversation and resuming the pursuit of Shiny Frigibaxes, as well as completing the latest Volcanion Special Research, we’ve made significant progress.
As per Michael Steranka, Pokémon Go’s senior product director, the celebrations planned for next year to mark a decade since the launch of Pokémon are shaping up to be an ideal reality for any devoted Pokémon enthusiast.
Since 2017, when Pokémon GO was initially released, Steranka has been climbing the ranks within the Niantic team. Our recent conversation with him took place during Go Fest.
Initially, we inquired about the primary goal for the rest of 2025, and Steranka indicated that Niantic will be placing a significant emphasis on social aspects within the game, offering players increased chances and motivations to interact with each other.
He confirmed, without giving details, that players can anticipate experiencing some genuinely fantastic features that will undoubtedly bring joy and excitement.
In that moment, I delved deeper into the topic, inquiring about the progress of their 10th-anniversary plans. It was then that Steranka’s enthusiasm reached new heights as they shared their exciting visions for the future.
He shares that the 10-year anniversary has been a major focus of his for the last year and a half (or more accurately, two years as of now).
This is an immense chance, scarcely found among games worldwide. Few can boast a decade-long existence, and even fewer have thrived over that period as Pokémon Go has. We’re eager to seize this moment to honor our players by celebrating together.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that we’ve got plenty brewing in the pipeline. We’re cooking up some extraordinary experiences, though I can’t reveal the details just yet – but trust me, next year is shaping up to be an unforgettable adventure for all Pokémon enthusiasts. Not only are we celebrating Pokémon Go’s 10th anniversary, but also the incredible 30-year journey of the Pokémon franchise. So, get ready for a dream come true for every Pokémon lover!
Knowing that numerous months’ efforts have gone into creating Pokémon Go’s significant event is likely reassuring for players, considering the various teams Steranka manages in his daily tasks.
At Go Fest 2025, Steranka emphasized that nearly every team within the company plays a role, directly or indirectly, in making Go Fest happen.
When discussing innovative aspects such as the Crowned variations of Zacian and Zamazenta, he explained that his team collaborated with Niantic’s game designers to create a comprehensive gaming experience, whether in parks, cities, or other settings. Additionally, they collaborated with the marketing team to ensure players received accurate information about these features.
Additionally, Steranka highlighted that the “player experience team is physically present to address any technical issues,” underscoring that the “entire organization” plays a role in some capacity – a fact consistent with their focus on maintaining a long-term perspective and ensuring the quality of the game itself.
Managing all aspects of next year’s Go Fest, regular gameplay, and our 10th anniversary celebrations is quite an intricate balancing act, involving juggling many tasks simultaneously.
It’s reassuring to learn that the director of Pokémon Go is ensuring that each team involved in the game’s major anniversary celebration has enough time to prepare everything perfectly, so it turns out great for everyone.
It seems that Niantic’s local teams also show the same level of excitement and meticulous preparation.
Even though major figures such as Steranka often attend Go Fest on a global scale, these events also provide an opportunity for local development teams to shine by organizing them, while they can also demonstrate their community interactions and reveal their future plans.
Regarding Go Fest 2025: Paris, we learned about it from Moise Kabongo – Pokémon Go’s country marketing manager for France. Not only did we hear him share that the French community is experiencing significant growth, but we also inquired about his team’s plans to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the game.
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t spill the beans about specifics just yet, but let me tell you this – the French gaming community and those across the globe are in for a treat! The excitement is building up, and if the past few months are any indication, our gaming community is only going to get bigger and better. Stay tuned!
“We’ll just have to wait a bit and see, but trust me, we’re really looking forward to next year.”
Kabongo shared Niantic’s excitement about the future of the game, even though some might debate the longevity of a game that has been around for as long as it has, given its live-service nature.
As games like Pokémon Go grow older, there’s a concern that the gameplay and new content may start to feel repetitive or limited.
Despite the passage of time, Steranka himself pointed out during his interview that maintaining a delicate equilibrium between providing numerous engaging activities for our devoted hardcore players, and avoiding overwhelming less experienced or newcomer players, becomes increasingly challenging.
It appears that self-awareness has extended Pokémon Go’s lifespan, as it allowed Niantic to pause and enhance the overall gaming experience for players, giving them a chance to catch their breath, and also allowed the team time to refine the fundamental aspects of the game itself.
Just as Steranka pointed out, Pokémon Go is not static; it’s essential for us to adjust according to feedback from players continually.
The acquisition of Pokémon Go by Scopely at the end of May, as mentioned by Steranka, appears to bring only positive outcomes for Niantic. This is because the new owner aims to simply provide the team with the freedom to carry out the tasks they’ve long desired.
Since the Scopely acquisition is brand new, it’s going to take some time before we can fully understand its long-term effects.
Despite this, Kabongo stated that “The Pokémon Company and the Pokémon Go team remain highly committed to continually enhancing the gaming experience in the future”, further emphasizing his belief that “Pokémon Go will undoubtedly continue for an eternity.
As a dedicated gamer, I’m eagerly hoping that Steranka’s vision and Scopely’s empowerment plans will succeed. That way, Kabongo’s inspiring words about the future of gaming could become a reality for all of us.
As we eagerly anticipate what next year might bring, and beyond that, let’s engage with the quiz right here!
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2025-06-19 17:35