Popular mobile game Pokemon Go today scheduled what will be its first in-game event, offering players increased encounters with certain characters and more in-game Candy during Halloween week October 26 to November 1st.
During the event, developer Niantic Labs says players will see “increased global encounters” for some of the games “spookiest” characters, including: Drowzee, Gastly, Gengar, Golbat, Haunter, Hypno, and, yes, Zubat.
In addition, users will get increased in-game candy for each Pokémon caught:
The Pokemon Go craze first kicked off on iOS with an initial release in the US and select markets back in July. The game later rolled out to the UK, Canada and much of the rest of the world, and the company is expected to release a much anticipated Apple Watch app by the end of the year. Developer Niantic Labs was invited on stage by Apple at its iPhone 7 event in September to demo the upcoming Apple Watch app, and it also revealed the iPhone app had been downloaded over 500 million times.
During this period, every Pokémon caught will earn Trainers six Candies—twice the normal amount. The professor will also give Trainers two Candies instead of one for every Pokémon transferred to him. In addition, Buddy Pokémon will award four candies instead of the usual one. Pokémon Candies enable Trainers to evolve or strengthen their Pokémon, so players will want to walk and catch all the Pokémon they can to get their fill of Candy during this special event.
You can download Pokemon Go for free on the App Store, which also gets an update to Version 1.13.3 today:
What’s New in Version 1.13.3
– Professor Willow discovered that Eggs have different patterns depending on the distance required to hatch them. – Pokémon type icons have been added to the information screen for each Pokémon. – Low battery indicator added for the Pokémon GO Plus. – Minor text fixes
Bellevue, WA, and San Francisco, CA—October 24, 2016—This Halloween, players of the popular Pokémon GO mobile game will experience exciting treats from Niantic Labs, Inc. and The Pokémon Company International. Beginning Wednesday, October 26, through Tuesday, November 1, Pokémon GO Trainers will have the chance to catch some of the spookiest Pokémon available in the game with increased global encounters of Drowzee,Gastly, Gengar, Golbat, Haunter, Hypno, and, yes, Zubat. And, since it wouldn’t be Halloween without candy, Trainers will have the opportunity to earn more Pokémon Candy during this event as they explore the world around them in search of Pokémon.
“It’s been incredible watching people explore their neighborhoods and catch wild Pokémon all summer,” said Tatsuo Nomura, senior product manager at Niantic, Inc. “We would like to trick-or-treat in our own special way by giving Trainers the chance to catch more Pokémon and earn extra Candy this Halloween.”
During this period, every Pokémon caught will earn Trainers six Candies—twice the normal amount. The professor will also give Trainers two Candies instead of one for every Pokémon transferred to him. In addition, Buddy Pokémon will award four candies instead of the usual one. Pokémon Candies enable Trainers to evolve or strengthen their Pokémon, so players will want to walk and catch all the Pokémon they can to get their fill of Candy during this special event.
“The excitement of Pokémon’s 20-year celebration continues this Halloween with the first-ever in-game Pokémon GO event,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of consumer marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “We anticipate seeing many Pokémon-themed costumes during this anniversary year, and now Trainers can add Pokémon GO to their trick-or-treat route to receive Candy and add some of the spookier Pokémon to their Pokédex.”