The latest event to take over Niantic's AR mobile game Pokemon GO is the Mega Buddy Challenge, which includes special Timed Research and more to celebrate the introduction of Mega Evolution in August. Between September 22 and 28, players are being encouraged to keep their Mega-capable Pokemon by their sides to complete research tasks, and one reward for completing the challenge will be the chance to encounter Mega Gengar in a future Halloween event.

There are four tiers of challenge tasks players have to complete before next Monday in order to unlock the exclusive Mega Gengar Timed Research during the 2020 Halloween event, which was announced in an official news post by Niantic on August 31. Completing all four tasks will also net players 135 Mega Energy for Beedrill and the opportunity to encounter a Snorlax, as well as a collection of Stardust and XP.

RELATED: Pokemon GO Increasing Jessie and James Encounter Rate

Another facet of the Pokemon GO event this week is players having an increased chance to receive Beedrill, Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise Mega Energy through Field Research tasks. Mega Evolution will last three-times as long as usual, and Niantic encourages players to take pictures with their Megas and post them to social media with the hashtag "GOsnapshot."

Gengar is a popular Generation 1 Pokemon that has received a fair amount of attention in recent entries, including new forms through a Mega Evolution in Pokemon X and Y, as well as a Gigantamax variant in Pokemon Sword and Shield. It makes sense for Niantic to position this Ghost-type as a representative of the spooky season now that Mega Pokemon are available, though there will also be a special Halloween Cup in Pokemon GO this year that awards encounters with costumed Kanto starters.

Despite all of the content Pokemon GO has prepared for Halloween, some players may be unable to access it. Earlier this month, Niantic announced it is ending Pokemon GO support for older mobile devices such as the iPhone 5s and 6 this October. The service will also be closing for iOS 10 and 11, as well as Android 5.

In the meantime, there are other events players will be able to access following the Mega Buddy Challenge. Pokemon GO is holding a Paris Fashion Week event starting October 2, during which there will be a brand deal in place with the clothing line Longchamp to unlock special in-game accessories.

Pokemon GO is available now on Android and iOS devices.

MORE: Japanese Prefecture Installs Pokemon Gyarados Manhole Covers

Sources: Pokemon GO, Pokemon GO Hub