'Pokémon GO' Is Launching A Major Rare Rock Pokémon Event, For Real This Time

If you're like me then you possibly haven't deleted your Pokémon GO game yet, as you've been holding out hope that one day your dream of collecting them all could be fulfilled. Pokémon GO was a worldwide phenomenon when it launched in 2016, and although it's gone through a few rough patches, it's still one of the most widely played games in the world.

Niantic Studios, the team behind the AR game announced that even though the community of players has traveled collectively over 15.8 billion kilometers, there is a bigger adventure on the way to celebrate the adventure that's been had so far.

Say hello to adventure week.

In a blog post from Niantic, it was revealed that even though the most recent Worldwide Bloom event happened less than two weeks ago, a new week long even starts on May 18th and runs through May 25th.

Players all around the world will be able to experience the adventure together as spawn rates and types will change during this week, much like they've claimed will all the other events this year. This adventure week event will note higher spawning of rock type #Pokemon as well as a few other perks:

• 50% discounted Pokéballs in the store
• Extra items at each PokéStop
• Buddy Pokémon will find candy 4x faster
• A new FREE wardrobe item, the Explorer's Hat

How is this any different from the last event?

Well, like nearly all the other events that Niantic has launched, there's been one common problem: location based spawns, a.k.a. environmental biomes. Players living in the more urban environments have not had the same experience that players in the suburbs or fringe wilderness areas. It's something that Niantic has taken serious and plans to remedy with this event, citing "whether you're exploring your neighborhood or an exotic new location, make sure to watch for new Rock-type Pokémon."

It's a good move for Niantic to recognize that in the current system, not all areas are equal and it's causing them to lose a fair number of players simply because they don't have the ability to explore the world outside of their specific location.

Yet the thing that we all really care about is the Pokémon, and considering that in many areas the rock-type hasn't been readily available it's exciting to hear that there are several Pokémon that will become available in higher rates around the world. Players can expect to see any number of the following Gen 1 and Gen 2 creatures while they explore:

• Geodude
• Graveler
• Golem
• Rhyhorn
• Rhydon
• Onix
• Omanyte
• Omastar
• Kabuto
• Kabutops
• Aerodactyle
• Sudowudo
• Shuckle
• Magcargo
• Corosola
• Larvitar
• Pupitar
• Tyranitar

It's a fairly lengthy list with some great potential to capture a few incredibly rare and strong Pokémon (Tyranitar and Aerodactyl specifically).

All in all, it seems as though Niantic has committed to their every-two-week-release strategy to attempt to regain the support of players who may have fallen out of love with the AR game.