I’m on Pokémon Safari in my kitchen

As I sit in my kitchen, I can’t help but think about the Pokémon Safari Zone event taking place in Liverpool. Instead of the bustling park filled with fellow Pokémon Go enthusiasts, I’m surrounded by the familiarity of my home. My kitchen, while spacious enough for working from home, is not quite the ideal place for an immersive Pokémon adventure.

The unfortunate reality is that many fans, like myself, had planned to gather in Liverpool for this exciting event. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, we find ourselves unable to participate in person. In light of this, the developers have thoughtfully introduced a remote-only version of the event, allowing ticket holders to enjoy some of the festivities from the comfort of their homes.

Although this remote experience is a nice substitute, it’s essential to recognize that it can’t replicate the vibrant atmosphere of being at the event in person. The excitement of meeting fellow fans from different corners of the globe is unmatched. I had envisioned a weekend filled with travel and camaraderie, but now I find solace in the fact that at least I don’t have to worry about gas prices.

During the event, ticket holders are given the chance to log in during their designated hours and encounter rare Pokémon spawns from their own locations. The tasks provided yield enough Poké Balls to keep the gameplay engaging. Players can also catch Shiny Pokémon and other unique species that are typically exclusive to specific events.

Playing from home does present its challenges. Without a garden, my options are limited, but I do have access to a PokéStop. Thanks to the enhanced Incense item introduced during lockdown, my Pokémon catching experience has been somewhat manageable. Although I am not catching as many Shiny Pokémon as I would if I were out exploring, I’ve managed to collect at least one of each species featured in the event.

However, the event hasn’t been without its hiccups. There was some confusion regarding the event’s start times, as daylight savings seemed to have been miscalculated. Additionally, the developers had to address a scheduling conflict, striving to ensure that all participants have something fun to engage in over the weekend.

Despite the distance, one of the highlights of this remote event has been the interactions with friends. Throughout the day, I’ve kept one eye on my phone and another on a chat window with my friends, who were also supposed to be in Liverpool. We’re all playing from home, sharing in the excitement, celebrating our catches, and even making playful puns about Pokémon in relation to the Beatles. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together, making the most of our current situation.