THE FULL HISTORY of Pokémon GO FEST (2017-2024) Documentary

We've had a total of 20 different Pokémon GO Fest Events across 8 years. It started off disastrously, but Niantic continued to defy odds and produce some of the best content Pokémon GO ever has. Each GO Fest has had its own story. Some were massive wins, while others were hard lessons for Niantic. In this video essay, we will take a look back and view the full history of this landmark event!
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#PokemonGO
Pokémon is Copyright Gamefreak, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company 2001-2016
All images and names owned and trademarked by Nintendo, Niantic, The Pokémon Company, and Gamefreak are property of their respective owners.
Pokémon Go is a 2016 augmented reality (AR) mobile game developed and published by Niantic in collaboration with The Pokémon Company for iOS and Android devices. A part of the Pokémon franchise, the game is the result of a collaboration between Niantic, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. It uses the mobile device GPS to locate, capture, battle, and train virtual creatures, called Pokémon, which appear as if they are in the player's real-world location. The game is free to play; it uses a freemium business model and supports in-app purchases for additional in-game items. The game launched with around 150 species of Pokémon, which had increased to around 500 by 2019.
Pokémon Go was released to mixed reviews; critics praised the concept, but criticized technical problems. It was one of the most used and profitable mobile apps in 2016, having been downloaded more than 500 million times worldwide by the end of the year. It is credited with popularizing location-based and AR technology, promoting physical activity, and helping local businesses grow due to increased foot traffic. However, it attracted controversy for contributing to accidents and creating public nuisances. Various governments expressed concerns about security, and some countries regulate its use. By early 2019, the game had over a billion global downloads, grossing over $3 billion in revenue. The game also had over 147 million monthly active users as of May 2018.

[@nickgrace]

Shortly after the Go Fest 2017 disaster, they hosted Pokemon Go Stadium on Aug 14 in Yokohama, Japan. It went off without a hitch and was the introduction of Mewtwo into the game. This was really their redemption since it proved that they could actually pull off another event.

[@strat002]

Thanks for switching up the music more frequently. It keeps your channel fresh and keeps me coming back.

[@TheMadSnorlax]

0:40 Leaf Blade Was Super Effective!

[@TheJjohnson1982]

So glad that it has a Global aspect to it.

[@The_Cherokee_Gypsy]

Great informative video. I enjoyed this ❤ I live in Tennessee and grew up in the 90s, and as a 90s baby being 34, that’s why I still play today. Pokémon card and games was a huge part of my childhood. I’ve never got to participate in a in person event go fest. Tennessee is never a place go fest goes lol

[@kipp14]

I find it interesting that we as a community think the add ons are burdensome when almost every other group event of old is either the same cost or more per person for the total in person experience. Even if I assume a significant chunk of money is put towards coins the average is still less than an average concert in the US at the current moment.

[@TheLitWizard]

I’ve never been to Go Fest but I did get to attend a Safari event in Montreal and, as much as I hate a lot of the choices Niantic has made lately, it was an awesome experience and the community is what keeps me playing.

[@TreFKennedy]

12:42 you mean them canceling the Remote Raid Community Count

[@Courraff]

if Count puts that out, then yes which he did here

[@doublecomplex4741]

6:55 Yeah, if you spread one event out over 3 cities and nine days then one major issue can get overlooked, such as in Chicago 2019 when weather turned stormy and the park had to be evacuated due to concerns of storm surge for (about 5?) hours. The ground at the park became saturated, turning it into a hot, humid, muddy mess when players did return. Yuck.

[@danilobaudelair]

thank you for this video! i live in brazil and we never had a go fest in here, so it was interesting to learn about the global experiences. i started playing pokemon go in january 2024 and my first event was the go tour sinnoh. it would be amazing if you did a similar video but about the history of Go tour, because i really really enjoyed this documentary format, but i imagine it must have been very difficult to make. great video

[@Mdvnt225]

Count Jinsula's videos are so chill and informative. Lovely, thank you.

[@PeteJohnsMusic]

Not super sure about “love” of the game. Tolerance? Acceptance? 🤔

[@khez894]

I went to the NYC Go fest last year and while I had a really good time overall, I think Niantic could have really improved the park experience. Randall’s Island is just a poor location and it seemed they didn’t go as hard as in previous Go Fest events. I went to Go Fest in Chicago in 2019 and that still remains my favorite live event.

[@brianfoust1216]

I never knew about those giant countdown eggs,but I wish they brought them back

[@1fdom]

I really hope next years in person GoFest events will be as sucessful as this year, or well... We'll see how the NY will go since I am planning to attend my first GoFest in person event next year!

[@ArtimusDragon]

10:15 eeeeh, I have to disagree. LOL, I watched it from home and it was very cringe. Using a giant projector would've looked better to me.

[@ItsKingPo]

They did a similiar thing with the egg thing for ultra beast invasion in hollywood. Huge projection of the wormholes that popped when the raids started, super cool, also hired actors acting crazy and warning us about the ultra beasts coming.

[@doublecomplex4741]

5:46 Disagree on this. I was there in 2018 and there were definitely connectivity issues on both Day 1 and Day 2 depending on which cell phone service provider you had. "Sorry, we're working on it," is all we were told for hours.

[@CountJinsulaOfficial]

I was there too and don’t remember this

[@doublecomplex4741]

@@CountJinsulaOfficial iirc it was Sprint and/or Verizon. For sure it was frustrating, but much better overall than 2017

[@TreFKennedy]

Dope vid Count

[@sergencetinkaya-tc2hk]

I am from Dortmund Germany and never knew it was here hahaha

[@basillah7650]

The in person gofests the worst part of the game gives a middle finger to people doing the bad global version that has also less days to do it!

[@Trujones]

Idk why niantic doesn't implement an actual "Story driven ' events that's origin to GO. Make a new badguy team Give an original story and the events that come out make then different chapters for said story? There so much opportunities to push a story narrative. To give more or added purpose than to just catch pokemon

[@CountJinsulaOfficial]

I agree. Some of the best content is when they have a story driven Special Research. Most GO Fest stories are Professor Willow saying "I saw a mythical Pokémon! Let's investigate". Boring. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas GO Tour Special Research was you teaming up with the Team GO Rocket Leaders because both Giovanni and Professor Willow went missing. And you come to find out it was just another Team GO Rocket scheme that you foiled. It was incredibly engaging and I actually cared about reaching the next step to see what happens.

[@Trujones]

@@CountJinsulaOfficial exactly!

[@CellaDragon]

Nice video, but I’m surprised it was completely skipped about the issues in Las Vegas

[@CountJinsulaOfficial]

Vegas was GO Tour, not GO Fest 😆

[@Puffarella]

All my excitement for the event has diminished

[@Vinny1684]

Niantic only cares about our money

[@vermontvoice13]

Wasn’t the 2023 go fest USA event in Seattle not NYC? I thought this year is the first NYC go fest event

[@CountJinsulaOfficial]

I'm using footage in the video from when I went to GO Fest NYC in 2023

[@Activejox]

Gofest 2022 was in Seattle

[@chaosdragun1608]

It would be nice if it were in a different place each year. Yes new york and chicago are big cities but lots of states have big open spaces to play.

[@CountJinsulaOfficial]

I talked to Niantic about this and it comes down to two things: travel and park venues. Some US cities are good candidates for GO Fest, but they are hard to get to for players who don't live in the US. Chicago and New York have direct flights internationally, whereas somewhere like Phoenix might require connecting flights. They also have difficulties getting licenses or the city doesn't have a large enough park to host the event.

[@chaosdragun1608]

@@CountJinsulaOfficial true. Thankfully for me Chicago would only be a 5 hour drive. My wife and I have driven just for Lou Malnatis deep dish pizza lol

[@larrynickel3449]

I can't afford to do the in person Go Fest due to money and transportation

[@gellyzer0949]

Honestly for the people that complains and still pays are the problem I guarantee u that they will continue to go and pay the full price for go fest why should niantic stop if it’s working

[@WalterN34]

Dude…. Nintic dont have a bad track record… they designed a great game…. Stop wining.. in every god damn video you are fukin wining about niantic