Pokemon GO developer Niantic reveals details about the game's upcoming Fire and Ice-type event. Niantic also announces plans to celebrate the one year anniversary of Pokemon GO's release.

Running from June 13 to June 20, the Pokemon GO Solstice Event will see Fire and Ice-type Pokemon pop up more frequently. There will also be "huge" XP bonuses for throwing Poke Balls accurately, says the developer, which also promises a discount on Lucky Eggs.

Once the event ends, fans can expect Niantic to roll out "a new update focused on collaborative group gameplay features that will get you playing Pokemon GO in fun new ways." The developer will disable Gyms for a short period of time in preparation for the update, fueling rumors that the Pokemon GO multiplayer Gym update is nigh.

Niantic also announces several real-world events for Pokemon GO. In the United States, players will head to Grant Park in Chicago, IL. in July to take part in "exciting festivities." The Pokemon Company will be hosting a Pikachu Outbreak event in Yokohama, Japan in August which will offer a "unique Pokemon GO experience," and players in continental Europe will be able to attend Pokemon GO celebrations between June and September. It's unclear whether those in the United Kingdom will get their own events.

It sounds as though Pokemon GO players can expect a fun-filled summer both in-game and outside of it too. In addition to the Solstice Event and the real-world celebrations, Niantic has also teased a legendary summer, with players crossing their fingers that legendary characters will finally be added to the game.

Niantic makes no mention of that with this announcement but that doesn't mean it should be ruled out altogether. It's possible that the developer will use these events to kick off that legendary event, for what better way to get the hype machine going by showing off a feature to a park or shopping plaza full of enthusiastic Pokemon GO fans?

It's not just fans who will benefit from all of these summer events either, as Niantic could turn the game's fortunes around. Pokemon GO is still a juggernaut in the app world, but its daily player numbers have plummeted greatly since it first won everybody over last summer. Perhaps the developer will be able to recapture that summer spirit and get everyone trying to catch 'em all again.

Pokemon GO is available on iOS and Android

Source: Niantic