DeNA’s mobile game Pokemon Masters has begun its first-anniversary celebration with a number of major changes and additions, including changing its name to Pokemon Masters EX in recognition of updates made over the last year. It has featured an event starring Team Galactic boss Cyrus and his Pokemon partner Palkia, a brand-new game mode called the Champion Stadium that stars the Indigo League Elite Four, and soon DeNA will apparently release Facebook and Instagram filters.
These filters were advertised through a short video provided to Pokemon news site and database Serebii, and will allow individuals to turn into trainers like Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 protagonist Rosa or Pokemon Sun and Moon companion Lillie. The Sun and Moon character, alongside her brother Gladion and mother Lusamine, will play a role in Pokemon Master‘s upcoming “Family Ties” event starting September 9.
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Lillie also appears in a new CG trailer that features a massive Avengers Endgame-style battle between powerful Pokemon like Rayquaza and Mega Gengar. In fact, the popular character has been a significant part of the marketing around Pokemon Masters‘ first anniversary since some of its major updates were announced through a trailer in July.
A number of other events have also begun in Pokemon Masters to celebrate its anniversary. There are daily log-in bonuses in place, and players can try their luck at partnering with Sygna Suit variants of Leaf and Blue through Poke Fair scouting focuses. Sygna Suit Red and Charizard are also one of the first trainers to be given the new six-star EX status that will offer them a new outfit coloration.
Though Pokemon Masters did not become a cultural phenomenon like Niantic’s AR mobile game Pokemon GO, which just added the Mega Evolution mechanic, it has retained a steady fanbase thanks to the developer’s efforts to improve what was perceived by some as a lackluster experience. Some improvements made to bolster its gameplay include the addition of Sync Grids that offer battling customization for certain trainers, and a stamina bar that contributes to overall player rankings.
DeNA’s mobile game is not the first to play with social media filters, as titles like Young Horses’ Bugsnax and Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 have tried to boost engagement this way. It will be interesting to see how effective the tactic is for Pokemon Masters whenever its filters become available.
Pokemon Masters EX is available now on Android and iOS devices.
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