With every new update to Pokemon GO, it is standard for fans to go to work quickly at scouring game files for clues about upcoming changes and additions to Niantic's smash augmented reality game. This holds true once again with the Pokemon GO update that began to be implemented today, and industrious dataminers have already unearthed something that fans may find intriguing — namely, specific reference to Pokemon GO purified Pokemon has been found in the game files.

Indeed, there is currently no way to purify a Pokemon in Pokemon GO, and some may be curious about what such a process would even entail. On this matter, some speculation can be fueled by Pokemon Colosseum and Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness, two spinoff games that were released for the Nintendo GameCube. In these two Pokemon games, players could encounter Shadow Pokemon, which could be captured and then purified by filling up their Heart Gauge through activities like using them in battle.

Prior to purification, Shadow Pokemon did not have the functionality of a normal Pokemon, such as being able to earn XP, and these functionalities would only be returned to them once purified. As such, the reference to purified Pokemon in the Pokemon GO game files could point to the addition of Shadow Pokemon to Pokemon GO, and the purification mechanic could certainly find a home in the mobile game without much trouble.

That said, there is no guarantee that this reference to purified Pokemon means that Pokemon GO Shadow Pokemon are on the way, and it is certainly possible that Niantic's plan for purification in Pokemon GO is something entirely new to the series. Additionally, it is not a foregone conclusion that whatever this incarnation of purified Pokemon might be will ever find its way to the game, but it does seem that Niantic has something new in the works.

While many players would certainly be happy to see Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon GO, there is still plenty to keep fans occupied without them. For instance, the Pokemon GO July and August Research Breakthrough Rewards have been revealed, and players can work on those while awaiting further details on Pokemon GO purified Pokemon.

Pokemon GO is available now in select regions on Android and iOS devices.