Players of Pokémon GO are expressing their frustration over the prolonged wait times associated with the Might and Mastery Special Research Tasks. While some find these delays to be quite irritating, others view them as an intentional strategy to gradually release content. The current Might and Mastery season, which is the game’s 18th season, showcases popular Pokémon like Regice, Growlithe, and Electrike.
A recent post on Reddit by user dearmratheist brought attention to this issue, as they shared their irritation with the Pokémon GO community regarding these wait times. The Special Research Tasks, which are part of the game’s seasonal challenges, require players to complete objectives such as defeating Team GO Rocket members or powering up Pokémon multiple times. The process also involves certain interactions with Professor Willow.
In its essence, Pokémon GO is an augmented reality mobile game available on iOS and Android platforms, initially launched in 2016. It’s a free-to-play adventure where players explore real-world locations to find and catch Pokémon, engage in battles, and train their Pokémon. Recently, the game transitioned to a new developer, Scopely, known for their work on Monopoly GO, following nine years under Niantic. This change has understandably raised some concerns among dedicated fans of the game.
The Reddit post that sparked this discussion included a screenshot displaying three out of five completed tasks for the current season. The player expressed frustration at being unable to proceed with no clear indication of the next steps. Instead of revealing future tasks, the game directs players to check back later, as Professor Willow is “currently performing an investigation regarding this research.” The player expressed a preference for tasks that could be tackled over several days rather than waiting without any progress.
This discussion further evolved in the comment section of the post. While new Dynamax Legendaries and other season features are appreciated, some players expressed dissatisfaction with unfinished tasks, owing to personal inclinations to complete things. On the other hand, some players defended the wait times, reasoning that it could be a way for Niantic to maintain engagement by encouraging players to return regularly over multiple days to discover new developments in the storyline. Additionally, the fact that these tasks are free contributed to the laid-back attitude of some users.
The 18th season of Pokémon GO, titled Might and Mastery, kicked off on March 4 and will continue until June 3. This season introduces several enhancements to the gameplay, including increased Stardust on the first catch of the day and guaranteed Rare Candy XL from catching a five-star Raid Boss during Raid Hour. Featured Pokémon this season include Regice as a Raid Boss, Growlithe, and Electrike from various in-game regions.
As the Pokémon GO community continues to navigate these waiting periods, it opens up meaningful dialogues on game design, player engagement, and the evolving nature of this widely adored mobile game.
