Today's post will not take up much of your time. 😐
It's a short one.
(Source: ChatGPT)
I had something else planned, a cheeky(?) continuation to my "Fading Connection" ramble. Alas, until last night, that draft was going nowhere. The thought process still wasn't (and, as of this writing, isn't) "there" yet. Maybe because I've felt emotionally drained or exhausted in the past week? 🤔😪
Anyway, I've decided to postpone that piece until next time. What you're reading is a last-minute (or, technically, last-day) something I put together. I'm only here sharing what The School of Life conveniently and tremendously timely posted yesterday, at 3PM my time zone. The simple yet finely worded essay pondered the famous (or infamous) sentence:
Apart from somehow capturing my situation—and rather blatantly, the content happened to come in line with one part of my original draft for today (I hope that's not confusing to read 😅) that I've somehow had to scrap again. For the second time. Hahaha. 😐
Well, let's be REAL. As both sources questioned or pointed out, do we ever really mean it when we say "I'M FINE?" Do people ever do? Naturally, I'd be happy if they genuinely do. That said, it's often just uttered as a verbal cover-up for "I'm not well, but I don't want or too proud to talk about it," or even "Leave me alone to deal with my struggles." Would you agree? 😶
I'm no Saint and have used that line as a quick escape pod (into space) or hatch (from a sinking submarine) myself. Nevertheless, I'm working hard on NOT being—or at least trying not to be—a hypocrite. So, with that spirit in mind, nowadays, if you ask me, "How are you?" Chances are the answer won't be as fine as "Fine." If not a sincere statement of "It's so-so," then it'll be a diplomatic delivery like "I've been worse." 🤷🏻♂️😅
Being honest is NOT that hard. And I want to do my best at it. 🙃
Today's the same.
I'm honestly feeling bummed out that I couldn't finalize, nope, FINISH that draft I've started since last week. Writer's block often came at a very annoying time. 😓
Yet, I'm also giddy that I just watched a new Marvel Studios movie (when this post goes live, I'm likely still on my way home from the theatre). Even if that sudden, also last-day plan inevitably gave birth to this replacement post you're reading. 😅
(Fun fact. The movie seemingly tackles the precise question I'm writing about here. Talk about coincidence. 😲)
So, yeah. I'm NOT entirely fine. 🤷🏻♂️
But that's FINE! Hahaha. 🙂
I'm only human, and that's just how life can be. No? 🤭
(Source: Psych2Go)
Oh, wait. This wraps the first trimester of 2025, huh? 😳
If you've been on social media recently—in my case, Threads—you probably have noticed this type of post spreading like swarms of bees to a field of flowers.
(Source: ChatGPT)
YES, that is supposedly me, actually. It's the result of jumping on the bandwagon of the "Make your own stickers" trend. With some extra steps, anyone can excitedly embed and publicly parade the cute visual attachments on communication channels like WhatsApp and Telegram. 😏
Wait, you're telling me you've never heard of it? And you are curious to try! 😲
Feel free to use this super simple Prompt you can copy and paste (like how I merely copy-pasted it from the first post I saw 😅) to OpenAI's ChatGPT.
"Create a 3D kawaii a 10:16 canvas featuring nine chibi-style stickers in various outfits, poses, and expressions. Use the attached image for reference. Each sticker has a white border and includes a speech bubble with regular use phrases. Set on a soft white-to-pastel blue gradient background for a fun, positive vibe, perfect for WhatsApp use."
So far, I've tried this on ChatGPT, Meta AI, and Google Gemini. ChatGPT, with the most up-to-date engine, seems to deliver better, if not actual, results. Meta AI randomly made up something I didn't even want. Google Gemini? It simply balked at me, as usual, saying, "I am sorry, but I am unable to create images. I cannot fulfill your request to create a 3D kawaii image." Hahaha. 😅🤦🏻♂️
Yeah, I tried that, too. But Microsoft Copilot instantly blurred out my face as if it were a forbidden NSFW body part of an adult-oriented image. And then it went on to CORRECT THE GRAMMAR of the Prompt instead. 😌
No. I'm NOT even kidding. 😅
Maybe if I use the Paid, instead of the Free version... 🤔
Anyway, the point is, it was a fun stunt. Useful, even! It adds a flimsy fun to communication with family or friends. But the question that arises from this is written in this writing's title. Can this be considered as a FINE work, or, instead, a FAKE work? 😳🤔
Considering I used my personal selfie and uploaded it to the service with full consent? I'd argue it leans more towards the FINE aspect. Still, upon thinking that I didn't do anything besides uploading the photo and copy-pasting some words? It can also constitute FAKE. Right? 😐🙅🏻♂️
This is just one simple sample of how Artificial Intelligence, or AI, for short, has altered the world in recent years. Admittedly, I always hesitated to use AI before. I think it was in 2023 that a mutual acquaintance on social media expressed concern over AI taking over people's work. I assured my acquaintance that no matter how advanced technology grows, it would and could not replicate humanity, nor the heart and soul one can infuse into a work. The human touch! 🧚🏻♂️🤍🙆🏻♂️
Afterward, I carried on my days holding on to that belief. But then last year, in February 2024, my pen pal from Taiwan persuaded me to try the service. He and his partner had been using ChatGPT to assist their gaming and work. My pen pal said something along the lines of, "Hey, why not turn ChatGPT into your invisible assistant?" 😉
Driven by sheer curiosity, I jumped headfirst into the service. Was it helpful with my work, as my pen pal proposed? Well, yes and no. Yes, because it helped me produce the content I wanted much faster. But also no, because the original content was messy and needed to be verified for consistency with older data, not just from a few months before! Sometimes, the consistency check went back to years prior, which required manual checks using actual examination and literal asking. 😩🙇🏻♂️
Note: Now that I think of it more. That arduous manual hurdle may have become very possible to pull off now, actually. I can think of a workaround to bypass the process and streamline it. Basically, I can teach the AI service to imitate my thinking approach. My work is text-based, after all... 🤔
I would be lying if I said I stopped using AI due to that disappointing twist. Quite the contrary, I found an effective use of it. What's that? Helping me subtitle my letter into another language! This refers to the context of my pen pal correspondences. 📧😃👍🏻
Before, I exchanged letters with them using English, regardless of whether none of us spoke that language natively. Now, my letters are delivered in a bilingual format! The main reply remains written in English. But I also include an AI-assisted transliteration in my pen pal's native language and words (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, etc.). This way, my pen pal will not need to translate my letter upon receiving it, as I've already done the task for them. Of course, not all pen pals approve of this method (due to the similar hesitance I used to have). But for the rest who are okay with it, I feel our correspondence has been more convenient. 😆🙌🏻
Hold your horses! Are you suggesting or assuming that means I'm asking AI to write THIS blog/essay that you're reading, too? 🤨
Well, what do you think? Hahaha. 😏
The answer is NO. A definite 100% NO. Even if I use AI, I will not accept such a cheat, as the result may alter the individual characteristics and style of my writing completely. Besides, as many have also pointed out, AI services have specific patterns and even vocabularies they keep using repeatedly. Trust me, the more time you spend using ChatGPT or Google Gemini, the easier it will be to spot any work created with one. "Ethereal," anyone? The word "Tapestry" dropped here and there? Hahaha. 😅
But I'll be frank. I do ask AI to perform one and only one thing: To professionally review my writing afterward and offer suggestions for improvements that I may consider and implement in my next writing. Honestly, we can tweak AI to write a neutral response when we ask it to examine our text-based works. More importantly, it can analyze and compare our creative results to other online resources and pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses. 🔎📃😀
Yes, I can and I do ask the opinions of other people, too. Even so, whoever I ask, the response will always come with a biased or subjective preference. Every human being has a set of subjectivity embedded internally, for better or worse. Friends or family who already know me? They are used to my writing style and may not offer blatant criticism out of compassion—unless they are Dutch? Hahaha. ✌🏻😜
A random stranger may be more subjective. Then again, will they provide constructive criticism if they don't know me, and, as such, couldn't care less about my growth? Despite having its unique biased tendency, AI has no will or conscience. Hence, it can bypass that subjectivity angle. Best of all, the response will be produced in minutes. ⏱🤯
Okay, you're not convinced that this blog post isn't AI-generated? 😒
In that case, I told Google Gemini to read my previous blog posts and write a paragraph about "apples." Here's the generated result:
"Apples. They're just there. In bowls, on counters, in those plastic bags that always seem too big. You buy them. Thinking, 'healthy.' You bite. It's fine. Sometimes, it's a little mealy. Sometimes, it's surprisingly crisp. The skin sticks in your teeth. You tell yourself it's fiber. You consider making a pie. Then, you remember you don't actually like making pies. More dishes. More time. Time you don't have. You eat another apple. Because it's there. Because it's something. Because, well, fruit. You throw the core away. It hits the bottom of the trash with a dull thud. Another thing done. Or, not done. Just...processed."
So, what do you think? Did Google Gemini's generated essay resemble this writing? 😅
The vibe feels different, somehow. Would you agree? 😌
And, seriously, a word like "crisp" or a phrase like "dull thud" may not even pop up naturally in my head. That part alone is already telling me "That's NOT me." ✋🏻😬
(Source: My YouTube channel)
Besides acting as a reviewer, nowadays, I've been regularly using AI for the videos posted on my YouTube channel. As you may have noticed, I write/type a lot. ChatGPT helps to shorten the description I've prepared to fit the word limits. Meanwhile, Google Gemini helps to produce visuals (like the one I included above). For the record, my YouTube page is a "Music Diary," a song cover channel. That means the AI image I generate merely helps depict a visual I feel can represent the song choice. 🎵😁
My reason for doing so is that AI services usually do not (maybe it can, but I don't know how) generate the same carbon-copy result of the same Prompt. That makes each visual unique in its own way. To prevent the AI from stealing the likeness of a random person, the visual I instruct generally hides the person's face. This way, the visual, hopefully, has not violated anyone's privacy or copyright properties, since the content or elements inside those images are not and never were real. 😲🙏🏻
Hmmm...
That's where things get a little murky and complicated, though. Because if we're speaking about copyright, the fact at hand is that AI has become and still IS a genuine concern. There's a valid reason why many people have openly voiced, sounding the alarms to not let AI "steal" their jobs. That well-known 148-day WGA strike, followed by a 118-day SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023? It included AI on the list of its demands, citing how it can one day replace actors and writers' creative presence. Research and analysis on how AI is unleashing copyright infringement risks can be found often. For example, you can watch this insightfully alarming video posted by CNA Insider or thorough reporting by60 Minutes.
(Source: CNA Insider)
(Source: 60 Minutes)
Think of it this way. Generative AI is called that way for a reason. It doesn't generate things out of thin air. Generative AI uses the vast collection of information circulating around cyberspace instead. It studies and learns from blog posts, journals, photography snaps, artwork, and designs that people have uploaded, are uploading, and will upload on social media. We are TOO accustomed to sharing things so casually, giving away the privacy of those materials in mere minutes. Therefore, ANY AI services will have access to those for their learning process. 😟🤷🏻♂️
Hold on. Have I been feeding AI data surrounding my likeness by uploading my photos, then? Am I teaching them to write like me, simply by posting on my blog?😱🤦🏻♂️
The answer to such rhetoric is, unfortunately, YES. Well, to be fair, I know FULL WELL that putting this blog out there means exposing myself to the public. In a way, it IS my desire to share my opinion or rants with the world. 😅
But I'm not gonna lie. The thought that someone, somewhere, out there, has just generated an essay based on my writing style for his/her school homework, or created an imaginary image who looks a lot like me in real life? It does feel creepy. 😰
Furthermore, it will take them only a few minutes to pull off using several jumbled sentences that don't even need to be grammatically accurate (remember the Kawaii Chibi Prompt that Microsoft Copilot fixed above?). AI services CAN do that. The result may look super FINE. But no matter how we see it, it's FAKE and not real. 🙄🤷🏻♂️
Just take a look at this example below. 👀
(Source: Google Gemini)
I played around on Google Gemini to create that image, describing the details of the scene and the person, including the precise clothing the person wore.
Ugh, Google Gemini is a PAIN to work with. Then again, after repeated attempts, a better result eventually came out. If I show that photo above to my family members? They might likely wonder, "When did you travel to the beach? Where was it?" That's an almost spitting image of how I look daily! 😳
Where did I make that image? With my phone, lazing on my bed, wearing none of those clothes. 🙄🤦🏻♂️
One day, when AI has reached its higher form, it may even replace the needs of certain people altogether. Mythic Quest poked fun at this in the second episode of its fourth and final season. Poppy Li and Ian Grimm, the two lead characters, created AI bots of themselves to work with one another while the real people focused on their private time elsewhere. 😂🤭
Meanwhile, a year ago, Abbott Elementary's third season included a similar AI twist on its ninth episode. But while it was an enjoyable episode, I agree with the sentiment that it failed to touch on or at least reflect on the bigger situation. AI usage has been an ongoing, or should I add, dilemmatic, topic of discussion in the academic field. 😤😐🙄
As a former educator, I knew firsthand the creative ways students would go to lengths to make their learning "easier." Based on friends who are still actively teaching, those methods have persisted, if not evolved, in modern times. Thus, I can relate to the concerns discussed in the article. Having a handy AI that's mere button clicks and Prompts away will make any school assignment easier. Will that reduce the students' capabilities for creative thinking? 😬😨
Some schools have taken serious action for this. Heck, countries like Singapore and Australia even went deeper to the root of the issue. While AI might not be their primary goal, the ease of online access would inevitably lead to AI usage anyway. I must admit, I agree with their approach, allowing modern kids to spend their childhood beyond the shackles of virtual confinement. 🤔👍🏻
Note: The irony is that a local, popular, private school went all in on using AI during their education fair, promoting it heavily. That was undeniably an unsettling experience to see. 😱
Yet, on the other side of the equation, you probably have sensed a growing market for AI courses. This CNET article, teaching us to be better and more efficient at using AI services, is a good example. It was figuratively thrown into my eyes on January 23 by Google, which somehow loves recommending things to me (due to using Google Gemini?). Just now, YouTube shoved ads for several AI learning centers to my face. I wasn't even looking for it. 😐🤦🏻♂️
AI is everywhere. To state otherwise would be massive misinformation or dumb denials. We've heard how Pokémon GO has been accused of making players train Niantic's Geospatial AI. Duolingo now enforces AI to enhance practice sessions through its new paid subscription, Duolingo Max. Do you know the free, online Digital Audio Workstation BandLab? It has a handy AI feature called Voice Cleaner that can theoretically allow you to record vocals even in the noisiest environment. I admit, I'm super curious to try it if it's not locked behind the premium subscription plan. My point is AI can help people do A LOT of things that might warrant many, longer years to manually complete, such as upscaling a movie to 16K resolution—even if the result may end up in an uncanny valley experience. 😅
So, how should we approach this whole AI approach? Is it really beneficial for us, or should the dark, terrifying side scare us instead? That's a question that will be answered differently, depending on our subjective stance on the matter. 🙆🏻♂️🤔🙅🏻♂️
In reality, ANYTHING in this world, even the simplest object like a pebble on the road, can be used for good or bad. A pebble can be stacked to build a sturdy wall or used as a weapon to attack smaller living beings. Don't forget the Biblical story of David using a mere pebble to defeat Goliath and bring victory to his country, while stepping on a random one on the street could make us lose balance, fall, and even fracture a femur. It truly depends on HOW we utilize them—for a benevolent business or malevolent means. 🙂🤷🏻♂️
The same applies to AI, which, no matter the ginormous level of processing, is still very much a human invention. What if we enforce AI to assist or streamline our work, WITHOUT ever losing our distinct signature footprint? Then I arguably agree that the AI and the result CAN be considered FINE work. Still, human beings being human, such a mindset isn't always the case, huh? People end up exploiting AI, such as the issue of students skipping work to complete homework, without maintaining their sense of personality in the results. That's the aspect I'm not too fond of, honestly. With proper management, even an AI-assisted result CAN still retain our unique human signatures. 👏🏻😌
A brush in the hand of a regular laborer is used to paint walls. But in the hands of an artist, it can create a masterpiece that may sell for millions. Maybe we should consider AI the same way. Instead of treating it as a tool to do the work dirty, it should be optimized to enhance or enrich our work. As a well-known tech inventor once said, "It's not the tools that you have faith in—tools are just tools. They work, or they don't work. It's people you have faith in or not."
Lastly, I agree with Professor Graham Morehead's wisely stated and advised words in his WIRED "AI Support" video.
"You gotta think about AI as your expert friend who knows a lot, but has some bad misconceptions. So you don't trust everything. If I were you, I would use it a lot and trust it very little."
(Source: WIRED on YouTube)
I encourage you to watch that video as Prof. Morehead talks casually and simplistically about everything AI. If you're like me and occasionally think that AI is dumb (lack of consistency as I noted above) or oddly biased? There IS an answer to that! Prof. Morehead also covered the origin of AI (which started as far as 1956!!), the ways their thinking processes are FINE-tuned, the difference from Machine Learning, how to spot their FAKE-ness, what it logically lacks, and many more—including the potential if not possibility for even more advanced future applications.
With that, it feels apt to end this post with another perfect, well-crafted statement from Prof. Morehead (he had so many, it's hard to choose. Did I just become his fan? Hahaha 😃).
"It's gonna be harder and harder to avoid AI. AI is everywhere...
You don't have to use AI, you can live your life and write your own essays, do your own homework. And I encourage you to do that."
Yes, I WILL, Professor! Most definitely. 🙋🏻♂️
And, well, would you look at that! I didn't even need AI to respond... 😆👍🏻
This is a non-regular series I dub as Fool's Errands. Why? Because it will chronicle, or at least, tell about an act or attempt I have or had taken, could be small or big, that was... well, presumably pointless, unnecessary, or even crazy to some. 😅
It would not always be the case, of course. Maybe it was merely a mundane thing I just never really got around to doing before. My goal is to learn something from it. Whether I intend to continue doing it or not is up for grabs. But, hey, maybe such an action will lead to a fun discovery... 😉
*****
To be completely honest, this piece wasn't meant to be more than a single essay. But, somehow, my explanation already felt overly long. It was hard to swallow. Thus, I decided to pain split the opinion halfway through. And then it happened again, turning the piece into a three-parter. 😳🤷🏻♂️
So, before I continue, if you wish to read Part 1, you can do it through this link, while Part 2 is available here.
Oh, but hold your worry seeds and rage fists! This Final Part is merely the conclusion. And enough with the opening chatter! Let's dive into the final gambit right away... 😉👍🏻
Judgment: Return and Reflect
When you've played the same game for more than 8 years, the cracks are no longer apparent. No, they have become painstakingly obvious and screeching at times! Especially if the growing pains aren't fixed and instead turn into the game's irritating identity. 😬
That said, my goal with this experiment harkens back to the primary question in Part 1:
"How would a new player feel, and what would the experience be like if they start playing Pokémon GO this year?"
After weighing the pros and cons (true to my star sign, hahaha), I can say that Pokémon GO is playable and can be exciting to try. Wait, really? 😳
But! That statement comes with a Gigantamax level IF, as in, IF you're completely okay with the lingering problems I discussed on the previous Parts. 🤷🏻♂️
Is it a better experience now, though? Let me try to be as objective as possible with the details to that... 😤
Despite the Pokémon brand, Pokémon GO is basically a fitness app that encourages you to walk until rare Pokémon bounce their way around you. Therefore, the mechanics are pretty straightforward. You don't need to consider too many factors you may experience or need to understand in a core Pokémon game. In this game, you walk, catch the Pokémon, walk more, catch another, and continue walking. Rinse and repeat. 🚶♂️🎱😌
Such a simple mechanic remains unchanged despite the addition of battles and more. 😅
That statement comes with a hint of irony, though. Even if you choose to stay at home (due to thunderbolts, blizzards, or a health scare), you'll be able to play anyway. The game now spawns a freebie Pokémon each day, allowing you to catch at least one random species simply by logging in. You can use the free Daily Adventure Incenseto attract more Pokémon for several minutes. Just go back and forth around your home to initiate movement. 😀
PokéStop might be your sole issue. But unlike pre-2020, your area should probably have MORE PokéStops now. I can attest to this heartily. When I first went to my aunt's home in a rural neighborhood, the map there was empty, barren as a misty terrain. Cut to late 2022, and there were already several PokéStops in the same area, accessible from my aunt's home. That's an improvement. Would you agree? 😲
And if one isn't enough and you want more? You can try submitting a landmark near your place to become a PokéStop. You might even suddenly live next to a Gym like me. Haha! 😜
Better yet, you no longer need to trespass on someone's grassy terrain or risk stepping on stealth rocks just to spin a PokéStop. Gone are the days of unconsciously doing a drill run into a military facility or digging through dead bodies. There's a reasonable distance allowing you to access PokéStops and Gyms from further away now.
Don't get me wrong, Pokémon GO still has a long way to address accessibility concerns. I think its CEOs need an ongoing crash course on communication, considering how insensitive their statements can be towards certain demographics (Singapore Grandma, anyone?). The fact at hand, though. Pokémon GO HAS shown changes to make it more playable for those with accessibility challenges. Seriously, excluding some obvious roadblocks (hatching or walking tasks, Shadow or Max Raids), you CAN play without leaving home.
Bugs persist, and I'm NOT referring to Bug-type Pokémon. 🐛🖥
As I mentioned in Part 1, the developer of this game doesn't have a good track record concerning quality control. Sometimes, though, it'll be something minor you won't even notice. Such an error may tickle a nuzzled giggle only. But other times, coupled with the developer's signature fake-out responses, it may make you growl, testing your patience to another level of frustration. Time and time again, the community of players has even descended into a united roar of outrage. It's practically a norm now. Please don't be alarmed when that happens. 😐🙏🏻
And, hey, maybe that's a good period to practice a calm mind. 😌🧘♀️
Regardless of whether the features work or not, new players most definitely have PLENTY to do now. As I also pointed out before, players will get busy right away and even get overwhelmed by so many things to do or collect. This is a far cry from the early years of this game, where the gameplay was simpler, for better or worse. 😐😱
I used to feel annoyed by how Niantic limited the species of Pokémon appearing on the overworld map since they adopted the "Season" approach. After all, when the game debuted, they dropped almost the entire species from Kanto (the first region featured in Pokémon Red/Blue). Hence, these Pokémon are still decorating the Welcome Screen for new players. 🙄
Even so, after experiencing the game again from a new player's perspective, I admit I'm GLAD the number of species is reasonably limited. This minimized scope alone already overwhelms me and my continuously stockpiled Storage. Suddenly, having the break to NOT hunt for more Pokémon is a needed necessity. 🙆🏻♂️🙅🏻♂️
Starting this month, or April 1, 2025, to be precise, Pokémon GO stomps out the presumably monthly GO Passand Reward Road system. Yes, the latter is related to how frequent your helping hand is to support the game financially...
However, GO Pass is a month-long feature available for free (although, as always, there IS a Paid Deluxe version). This gives even more tasks that warrant you to play and make time for the game. 😰
Yesterday, an annual event entitled "Spring into Spring" began, debuting 2 new Pokémon that originated in the Galar region of Pokémon Sword/Shield. See? There WILL be things that keep you LOCKED-ON to this game. 😅🤦🏻♂️🙇🏻♂️
So, whether you want to play nice (completionist goal, filling every hole in the game's Pokédex) or play rough (to take down every GPS spoofer out of Gyms), a lone wolf, or double team, there's one for you. 😌
Unless you're looking for an engaging storyline! If that's your primary purpose, it'll be FAR WISER to play other Pokémon games. 🙄📜
Perhaps you're wondering if you need to pour real money into this game. Well, in Part 2, I detailed the many ways Niantic, the current active developer, has tried to monetize through this and that. But in the end, the value for money of every purchase depends highly on whether it benefits you or not (maybe your favorite Pokémon is locked behind a paywall?). And as I have proven for the past 1.5 months, the answer to mine is a big bulk-up NO. 😁
I haven't spent a cent of actual money in this new playthrough—I probably will not—and I'm progressing just fine. NOT at an extreme speed as those who paid, of course. But playing for free is DEFINITELY feasible, as long as you're willing to pour more focus energy (into conquering Gyms), you don't mind walking kilometers farther (to hatch Eggs), and you can endure some needed patience (amidst the bugs or when you cannot do anything while gathering PokéCoins). 🚶♂️🔮🏃♂️💪🏻😤
Oh! Training yourself in the art of "not giving in to the entrainment of FOMO" will help greatly. That's the main driving force of (sales in) this game, honestly. But the thing is, the developer will always recycle content later on. Sometimes, a debuting Pokémon that seems rare to find will make a swift return in a month or two, maybe sooner. Thus, don't worry if you missed an Aqua Breed Paldean Tauros onits fanfare arrival. It will reappear in another rollout, perhaps even more psyched up than before—with its Shiny also becoming available. 😛📆
But wait a minute. 🤚🏻🙅🏻♂️
What if you're not the one who wants to start playing? It's your kids instead! 😵
That's a little trickier to wring out. Well, the game itself is generally kid-friendly and family-friendly. Nothing big to be concerned about unless you're nitpicking some elements ("Pikachu is the representation of the Devil," for example). Furthermore, one way to prevent any foul play exists. It is through the Niantic Kids system. There's that in terms of gameplay. 👪
Physical safety, on the other hand? That can serve as a valid point of urgent concern, especially if your kid is underage. I'm not in any capacity to bestow parental wisdom. You probably know much better than me. That said, this issue may require proactive supervision efforts. An adult to hold hands as they roam through the street. 🚦🤔
Financially-speaking? The monetizing aspect of the game might or could become an immediate nightmare to you. 💵🗑
If you don't remind your kids to play wisely (surrounding PokéCoins spending)? You may need to be prepared to belch out your wallet in just a week, if not less, for Storage upgrades (even my long-time friend complains about it). Also, those big event tickets will definitely tempt them with their charm. Remember, those tickets ask for real money. 💸😅
Not to mention, the game gradually stops supporting older phones. Your child may need to purchase a newer one to play one day. 📵📲🙄
I don't know. Much like Pokémon Masters EX and Pokémon UNITE, which require extra endeavor to master (due to the necessary skill swaps), I'd argue that Pokémon GO is better suited for at least a teenager who already knows how to manage themselves. Pokémon Café ReMix, Pokémon Sleep, or Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket may be better options to recommend to younger children instead. I know for sure that none of them ever really exhibit a nasty plot to trap me, or other people I know, into giga-draining my wallet. 😌
Or the safest option if you prefer to hold back from spending any money!
Just tell the kids not to play Pokémon GO... 😅
It may prevent any tearful look altogether. After all, there are still other, more educative options (Board Games? Um, to "touch grass," maybe?) that can generate a genuine happy hour. Ahahaha. ✌😉
There's one more thing to consider!
Future Sight: Baton Pass to Sandstorm!
Previously, in Part 2, I mentioned how Niantic has been ramping up its monetization. Perhaps the reason for that is the latest development of the game.
In case you aren't following the news, on March 12, 2025, Niantic sold their game divisions, excluding their own homemade titles, to another company. New home soon! 😱👋🏻🏢
Just like that, the extra-eager pursuit to collect payday makes more sense. I mean, if I'm selling my cash cow to another breeder, I probably would have moo-moo-milked the cow, draining kiss it as much as possible, before it teleported to a different pasture. It's only a personal speculation, of course. But this is Niantic, and I can see them doing so. 😅🐄🥛
Honestly, though, I thought Pokémon GO was close to closing shop much earlier. After all, there was a growing vibe of lethargy from Niantic when it suddenly pushed toward other brands of similar games, withdrawing from Pokémon as if it was an afterthought. Not that they were successful.
I did hear whispers that they were holding down the franchise deal with The Pokémon Company because it got expensive on their end. It turns out a different deal with a different company was, indeed, happening.
Moreover, there has been ongoing speculation (so, not proven), or maybe even accusation, that Niantic has been duping, tricking players into providing global mapping data for them. Has the game been such a facade all this time?
(NOTE: To be fair, the article I linked contains some wrong facts. Therefore, I don't take the claim word by word easily)
It's not out of the probable possibility, though. Niantic started from a company called Keyhole, which was a geospatial data developer first and foremost. When absorbed by Google, John Hanke of Keyhole—who later became Niantic's big boss—went on to lead Google Geo. Can you guess the division's popular applications? Google Maps, Google Earth, and Google StreetView. Moreover, the core of Niantic's work, centering on geospatial AI, will continue under a new company, Niantic Spatial. You get the picture.
Besides, it's not hard to see how this speculation arises due to one feature in Pokémon GO: AR Mapping Tasks. A feature I never actually care about and always delete as soon as I receive it. Why? I've tried it. And it just didn't work on my phone. Never worked. Also, it took up too much time standing in one spot, whereas the game pretty much demands players to keep walking. 🙄🤷🏻♂️
There's a sentiment hyper-voiced by many players around the world: Niantic isn't exactly a reliable handler of the game. 😐
I obviously agree with this, especially considering I know well how other companies behind other Pokémon mobile apps professionally addressed any concern I had about their products. This is despite the fact that Pokémon GO has a massive community of players who will keep playing. No matter the catastrophe happening around them. Surely, these loyal players deserve better.
Hold on, "who or what is Scopely?" you say? Don't worry, I wasn't too aware of it before, too, until I realized the product they have developed: Monopoly GO! 😯
This isn't the first time they've acquired an existing game. Perhaps you've heard of Marvel Strike Force?
But if you explore deeper, there's a bigger surprise. Scopely Inc. is owned by the Saudi Arabian government, the Public Investment Fund's subsidiary, Savvy Games Group, to be precise. Land of the hard-to-find Sandstorm Pattern Vivillon! ⏳🦋
I guess Pokémon GO won't be an American product anymore, huh? 🤔
That could be a good thing. At the very least, maybe, just maybe, this means the game won't be affected by the mind-boggling, bizarrely unnecessary whirlwind of tariff talks and trade wars. Technically and, perhaps, legally, Pokémon GO will no longer be a US import, right? Here's hoping. 🙏🏻
More importantly, what will this mean for the game's future? That answer remains uncertain. Scopely has already released a well-crafted corporate statement declaring that everything will continue running as usual. However, there are already rumblings pointing out Scopely's toxic or aggressive monetization method. Then again, as I shared before, technically, Pokémon GO has already been doing that. Or, maybe these two facts are connected, after all, as in it was Scopely driving up sales pitches all along! 😱
We shall wait and see...
If it's not obvious already from my writing, my relationship with Pokémon GO is not a smooth one. I always likened my experience to being in an ongoing dark void of confusion, a relationship with a difficult, never-changing, nagging partner who keeps demanding my time and attention while often disregarding proper boundaries (my goodness, the nonstop notifications if I forget to silence them 😫). At the same time, that partner always does what they please. That partner WAS Niantic, naturally, the driver behind the game. I guess, in a way, once again, Niantic still did what they pleased, albeit for good. 😒🤦🏻♂️
8 plus years has been a nice run, despite all the unpleasant emotions. But it's time to move on. Change is not easy, but some changes are necessary. Fare thee well, Niantic—a line I had aimed to say this year and ended up being the case. 😶
A pleasure to meet you soon, Scopely. 😁
Just PLEASE don't be Niantic 2.0. 😨🙏🏻
Last Respects: A Wish-full Wrap
In conclusion, I hope this 3-part writing can be useful to you in some way. Maybe you've been curious about playing Pokémon GO? Or does someone you know want to? These will give you a general idea of what to expect. Who knows, your first impression may even turn out to be better than mine. Right? 😁
And if you're once a player who left the game before? Yes, this game is good enough for an encore with its new features. Hey, the mythical Marshadow is now available for free! GO get one (after some grinding effort, no doubt)! 👻🥋
Of course, I'm aware I have only scratched the surface, not covering the entire aspects and features of Pokémon GO. Therefore, I've actually prepared an Extra Part separately, containing some other technical details I deliberately cut or unintentionally forgot to address in Part 1and 2. I hope that will help, too. 😏🙏🏻
Pokémon is an ever-growing, massive global franchise. If executed properly, that means Pokémon GO may retain a destiny bond and sing a sparkling aria instead of a perish song. It will stay in the spotlight to celebrate a victory dance for as long as there is a Pokémon trainer in the world. 🕺🏻🙋🏻♂️💃🏻
Nevertheless, we must still take heart as we realize one thing. Its kinesis and future longevity are not set in stone-edges. One wrong move could lead to a breaking swipe and, heavens forbid, end with a wicked blow. Moreover, as you may have sensed, power shifts are happening by and by in the world, often on an unprecedented, clanging scale of ruination. There's no telling how real-life struggle will affect Pokémon GO or even the franchise in general. So, for the time being, let's just enjoy it while we still can. 🙃🤷🏻♂️
This has been an enlightening project. Thank you kindly for tuning in! 👋🏻😀
PS: Considering this is the final Part, I just had to be playful and peppered the names of Pokémon Moves throughout the content. YES, those puns WERE intended! Sometimes, they are on the Nosepass (sub-headings were the obvious ones 🤣), but other times, subtle (as a Shiny Happiny 🤨). Just a fun nod to long-time players or those well-versed in the sprawling Pokémon world.
As mentioned in Part 3, here are some extra tidbits I didn't include in the main writings.
This Extra Part consists of findings and realizations I've encountered, whether in this new playthrough or my years of playtime. So, if you're a newcomer to the game. And you've just decided to jump into the world of Pokémon GO? Hopefully, these may serve as a handy guide for you.
(Let's do this!!!)
1. Choosing between teams (Mystic, Valor, Instinct) DOES help during your run.
While going for the least favored team in my area, Instinct, might have sounded silly at first, it has actually become handy. This means I have plenty of Red and Blue gyms to battle, which consecutively clears out the Item Bag capacity as I go.
How? During gym battles, your Pokémon will inevitably get KOed. That's when you can use those ABUNDANT health items you'll receive each time you level up. Doing this has prevented me from being forced to upgrade my Item Bag so far. Berries are the only items I've been throwing out, as the Potions are always put to good use. My PokéCoins can be accumulated for the Pokémon Storage instead.
Of course, the downside is your Pokémon will get kicked out by other teams somewhat fast. So, you need to play harder to occupy more Gyms to be safe. But the upside? If you assign 8 Pokémon to 8 Gyms, they only need to be there for around 1 hour each. It'll be faster to complete the daily 50 PokéCoins! 😜
(Conquering a Gym before a Raid begins)
2. Hey! What if you live in a rural location with only 1 gym? 😲
This one's an ongoing issue, considering Pokémon GO has openly shown a lack of effort to lend a hand to rural players. There is a workaround, though. You can ask a family member, friend, or neighbor who has an account. If not, maybe they can make one! But make sure you align with a DIFFERENT team than them. That's how you can help each other out. 🙌🏻
For example, my neighbors are all Blue Mystic members. They often complain about their Pokémon being stuck to defend a Gym for days (as I said, my area is generally Blue 🤷🏻♂️). That's where my Yellow Instinct help comes in. I can kick out their Pokémon when they ask me! Hahaha. 😆
In return, my neighbors leave me idle in that Gym for a maximum of 8 hours (or 8 and a half, to be safe). That's how long it takes for 1 Pokémon to fill the cap of your PokéCoins limit. ⏱😏
(Me vs My Neighbor)
3. In this new playthrough, I haven't used any Lucky Egg. Otherwise, I probably have reached a level or two higher right now.
For the record, at the end of Part 2, I said I've reached Level 28. As of this writing, I'm already at Level 29 and halfway through to Level 30. With Lucky Eggs, I might have passed that already. 🤷🏻♂️
Lucky Egg will double your XP gain, which is delightfully efficient whenever you reach a new Friendship Level with your GO Friends. Without the Egg, Ultra Friend already rewards 50,000 XP, while Best Friend rewards 100,000 XP.
If you don't feel like buying the Lucky Eggs, you'll eventually get some from Leveling Up (Level 10, then every 5 after) or from Timed or Special Research. Step/Part 9 of "To the Next Level" will give you one for free. However, the same Step also asks you to use it.
But be patient and effectively time your Lucky Eggs usage properly. Besides the Friends Level, evolving your Pokémon also gives double XP. Some events or Spotlight Hours usually include a general bonus of double or triple XP for doing one activity (Catch, Evolve, etc.). Lucky Egg will also double that gain. Do the math, and you might be leveling up at the speed of sound. 🏃🏻
(Reaching Ultra Friend with my GO Friend rewarded 50K XP)
4. Likewise, I haven't done many Max Raid (Dynamax Battles). Those would have added even more XPs! 😅
Max Raids requires you to be near the den. Firstly, you must at least clear Step 1 of the "To the Max!" Special Research to obtain your first Dynamax Wooloo. Collecting Max Particles from Max Spots will give you a second Dynamax Wooloo. Max Raid only allows players to use Dynamax Pokémon. Thus, you need those free ones to even start doing one. 😐
I'm cautiously doubtful if Field Research tasks involving Max Raid are feasible for new players, though. This feature was added recently when many older players had already passed Level 40. Unlocking and leveling up Max Moves requires a lot of Pokémon candies, and it may be wise to save those for evolving or powering up Pokémon instead. ✋🏻😬
(Ignoring a Max Raid that appears next to my house)
5. How about Mega Raid? Believe it or not, this Raid is possible!
Thanks to Party Play, I cleared 3 Mega Absol during "Mega Absol Raid Day" (Sunday, March 23) only as a duo with my neighbor. The Legendaries and Mythicals I got as Rewards during the "Pokémon GO Tour Unova" are enough to complete the battle.
Yes, I scored a Shiny Absol from this, too! Pokémon caught in Raids have a higher Shiny probability. That said, I failed "Mega Audino Raid Day" (Saturday, April 5). Not because it's hard. But merely because the app kept bugging and kicking me out of the Raid Battles. Those annoying things happen, unfortunately. 😑
Now that I think of it, maybe the fully Dark-type Mega Absol is among the easier ones? The Unova Legendaries are either Fighting-type or Bug-type, which are super effective against Dark-type. But Mega Audino (which has a Fairy-type) requires a Poison-type or Steel-type, which I don't have adequately yet. 🤔
(Clear you later, Mega Audino!)
6. The same success applies to 3☆ Regular Raids. Some, NOT ALL, are doable as a Duo. And they are easier to defeat under the Party Play effect.
Really, though! If you aim to clear the "Win a Raid" tasks? The easiest choice is to find 1☆ Raids. They are easy and won't need the presence of a higher-level player.
Legendary Raid, though? Nope! Until I get more high CP Pokémon, I doubt I can clear them without a group of at least 3 other players. I cannot even Duo-tag team them with my main account. And, again, that's an 8-year account. 🙄🙅🏻♂️
There's always the option of using the Remote Raid Pass. Using one on apps like PokéGenie or sites like LeekDuck will breezily put you in the lobby with a surefire victory (the successful rate of catching the Legendary Pokémon is a separate issue entirely). 😉
Yet, so far, I haven't used a single Remote Raid Pass. If today were 2020, I'd have received the super handy Pass almost daily. However, now they are locked behind reasonably high-cost PokéCoins. True, you can obtain one for free as a reward for the 7-Day Field Research Stamps. But that reward is muddled with other items. So, luck becomes an inevitable currency. 😞🤷🏻♂️
(Catching a Drampa after finishing its 3☆ Raid)
7. There WILL be Field/Special Research tasks asking you to "Evolve x Pokémon."
For long-time players who have racked up huge numbers of catches, hence, loads of Pokémon candies, this shouldn't be hard. But new players may need to grind more catches first. Community Day events are the best venues for this goal, as the same species will appear continuously throughout the duration. 🙂
I do have some advice that can make this process less exhausting. Look for Pokémon whose evolution requirements are cheap. Bug-types like Caterpie, Weedle, and Wurmple only need 12 candies to evolve into their 1st stage evolution forms. Pidgey and Pidove work, too! Go with those! ✌🏻😁
There is a much cheaper option, even if it may cost you Stardusts instead. Some Pokémon have a trade evolution that requires ZERO candy to evolve if you receive it from other players. So, ask your friend/family to trade their spare Haunter, Machoke, Graveler, Kadabra, Boldore, and Gurdurr to you. Hoard the trade results, even if you'll eventually delete them anyway. You can evolve them for free. 😝
And my favorite for this method? Shelmet, Karrablast, Pumpkaboo, and Phantump. Unlike the previous names I wrote, their base forms are accessible in the wild, usually during Ghost-type events. 🤭
(A Silver Medal for Evolving 20 Pokémon)
8. I didn't mention GO Battle Leaguebecause I haven't touched it in this account. I really don't like that laggy feature. 😒
Besides, winning enough battles to trigger a Pokémon encounter isn't as simple as it seems. Generally, this feature relies more on luck in making the right decisions. And the better Pokémon encounters only show up if you've reached higher ranks. But hey, if you're into the competitive scene, enjoying battles with other players from around the world? Go ahead! You do you... 😉👍🏻
(No Pokémon nor Player was harmed in my GBL, so far)
9. I lost a Shiny during the Community Day Classicfeaturing Totodile (Saturday, March 22). It showed up from an Incense, and I ran out of Pokéballs to use. If memory serves, this is only the 2nd time I've experienced such an annoying loss in PokémonGO. I forgot which species was the first, but at the time, the Shiny I caught suddenly changed into a regular color inside the Storage.
Mind you, I still acquired 2 Shiny Totodiles, though. Ironically, my main/original account didn't even encounter any, proving once again that luck is your betting horse. Oh, well, I guess that Shiny Absol served as a replacement. 😐
My point is that a Shiny Pokémon isn't a guaranteed catch. You may need to be extra cautious with your catching items if you're aiming to become a Shiny Hunter. Don't make the same ridiculous mistake as me! 😂
(Thank you for not running away, Absol)
10. Size! Pokémon comes in XXL and XXS now. If you want to participate in the Showcaseappearing in PokéStops, you must collect these, too. They even have Dex entries to fill. Collecting them fills up Pokémon Storage, naturally. That's always the sneaky goal. 😅
This Showcase feature is still unbalanced until now. Most of the time, it only asks for the biggest Pokémon. But if you can keep scoring the top rank of each Showcase, you'll be rewarded with a special Costume Pikachu. That Pikachu is stuck on Pokémon GO, though, so I couldn't care less. Hahaha. 🤪
(This is one big-sized bug!)
11. Aaaah, yes! Medals! There are achievement medals to complete, and the developer sometimes adds new ones. So, this game will give hardcore completionists or perfectionists an ongoing headache. 🏅
(TOO MANY MEDALS!)
12. Lastly, Pokémon HOMEand "Nintendo Switch" connectivity. If you transfer a Pokémon to Pokémon HOME (be careful because it's a one-way street), you'll receive an item called Mystery Box. This item acts like Incense to attract Meltan, a Mythical with special treatment (unlike other Mythical, you can put them in Gyms and even trade them!), exclusively available in Pokémon GO.
But what if you don't have PokémonHOME? The Basic Plan, as in a non-paid account, for Pokémon HOME gives you 1 box containing 30 slots. You only need to make a Nintendo Account to connect Pokémon GO and Pokémon HOME.
Does that still sound like a hassle? In that case, you can easily send it to your friend/family member's Pokémon HOME account. With their permission, of course. They must input their Nintendo Account credentials into your Pokémon GO settings. My paid PokémonHOME account has actually been accepting "unneeded" Pokémon from my main account, my nephew, and my neighbors. Hahaha. 🤟🏻😁
I haven't connected it to my new playthrough, though. I'm thinking of setting up a separate Pokémon HOME for that. 🤔
Switch's connectivity is precisely what it says. You need the console that contains any of these games:
Sadly, I do not have Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu/Eevee!, so I cannot share my experience of connecting Pokémon GO to them. However, for Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, you can send Postcards (yes, NOT Pokémon) you saved from other players' Gifts (or your own). The Postcard will enable a specific Vivillon Pattern in the Pokémon Scarlet/Violet's overworld. You'll activate the Coin Bag in your Pokémon GO account in return.
Like Meltan, Coin Bag attracts an exclusive Pokémon: the Roaming Form Gimmighoul. These ghostly creatures are available only in their Chest Form in Pokémon Scarlet/Violet.
(I forgot to send a Postcard to Paldea today!)
***
I know this list may still not be complete. Therefore, feel free to add other things I missed in the Comment section below. It will provide any reader with more, if not the most, knowledge to thrive in Pokémon GO.
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