Can Pokemon GO run out of new content? Exploring possibilities

Pokemon GO is almost eight years old and still drops new content consistently. However, despite the many add-ons and new creatures added to Niantic's mobile title, the core gameplay has stayed the same without much innovation outside of Mega Evolutions or Primal Reversion.

With more Pokemon games on the way and Pokemon GO showing no signs of losing Niantic's support anytime soon, the game can hypothetically have unlimited content. However, whether or not it will be good content is debatable.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinion.

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Niantic may need to introduce new ways to play Pokemon GO if it wants to keep fans engaged

Introducing new battle mechanics could be a great way to spice things up for Pokemon GO's relatively stale battle scene (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Despite what some critics online might say, each of the Pokemon franchise's main series games has something to distinguish itself from the others. However, Niantic has yet to improve on how battles play outside of allowing the addition of a second charged attack on a Pocket Monster (if the player spends the resources to unlock it).

Even from the second generation's addition of held items, the main series has always made slight innovations and added game-exclusive gimmicks. However, Pokemon GO has yet to add any of these features to the game outside of Fusion from the seventh generation and Mega Evolution from the sixth generation.

With the next generation sure to innovate on the main franchise's battles even more, the mobile title will feel even more dated and slow.

Given the game's meta is set in stone with the release of the majority of Legendary Pokemon and how overpowered the Steel typing can be in a format where movesets are so restricted, battling can feel pointless for many casual players.

This is where Niantic should put a lot of its focus in the future, considering how the Pokemon franchise is known for its entertaining and interesting battles.

Pokemon GO's events are the best part of the game (Image via Niantic)

There is also the issue of the lack of other gameplay options within Pokemon GO. The game has raids, battles, gyms, and the mechanic of catching Pokemon. There have been interesting attempts made to spice up the gameplay, like Pokestop Showcases and the new Party Play mechanic, but the experience offers no minigames or side modes like Pokemon Contests or Super Training.

The best part of the game by far is its regularly rotating schedule of events and raid bosses. However, recent events have been lacking in new additions. Those that do have new creatures lock them behind a paywall. With new content slowing down for the mobile game lately, long-term player retention is sure to fall off.

Overall, Pokemon GO has the potential to release unlimited content for as long as the franchise continues. However, with Niantic refusing to overhaul its dated gameplay or add mechanics like held items or double battles, the game will surely fall off in popularity more than it currently is.

Niantic's perceived anti-consumer practices, like increasing the cost of microtransactions and nerfing remote raiding, is not helping the title attract more players either.