Pokemon GO Adds Another Battle Pass — Here’s What’s In It (And Why It Matters)

Pokémon GO just dropped the details on the May GO Pass, and if you’ve been following the game lately, this move probably won’t surprise you.

Starting May 6 through June 3, trainers in select regions can grab a free GO Pass or upgrade to a Deluxe version through the Pokémon GO Web Store. Complete tasks, earn GO Points, and unlock goodies — that's the formula. At the end of the grind? You could score Stardust, XP, a bunch of Candy, and even an encounter with Yveltal, the Legendary Pokémon from Kalos.

For those willing to open their wallets, the Deluxe version offers even more: Premium Battle Passes, Incense, Lucky Eggs, extra encounters, and the always coveted Lucky Trinket.

"The GO Pass is still in testing and not available to all players."

Pokémon GO Battle Pass Rewards (May 6 – June 3)

Get ready for some solid rewards in Pokémon GO! Here's a table of what you can earn with the Free and Deluxe Battle Pass tracks from May 6 to June 3.

Note: Don’t slack off! All rewards must be claimed by June 5 at 10:00 a.m. local time — otherwise, they’ll disappear forever.

Pokémon GO New Boss at the Top

It’s worth noting: Pokémon GO isn’t just "Niantic’s" baby anymore. Earlier this year, a major shift happened — Niantic spun off a new holding company called Spotlight IP, which now oversees Pokémon GO’s long-term growth. This move hints at a bigger focus on turning their big titles into long-term, IP-driven revenue machines.

In short, Pokémon GO’s future is going to be even more monetized than it already is. And the GO Pass is a prime example.

Image: Example of Battle Pass from Brawl Stars - Supercell

Battle Passes: The New Normal

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, battle passes are everywhere now.

It all started when games like Fortnite perfected the formula:

• Make progression feel rewarding
• Tie it to time-limited seasons
• Offer both free and paid tracks
• Load the premium track with cosmetics, boosts, or exclusive perks

Soon enough, Overwatch, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and even single-player games like Halo Infinite jumped on the train.

Why? Because battle passes are insanely profitable.

Instead of selling just one $60 product, developers can sell "hope" and "progress" over and over, every season. For players, it's a constant push:

• Fear of missing out
• Pride in maxing out the pass
• Justifying a $10-$20 purchase with "I'm playing anyway"

It’s a genius cycle — and now Pokémon GO, a game that's already a microtransaction powerhouse, is doubling down on it.

The May GO Pass is another chapter in the Pokémon GO story — a story that's increasingly about finding new ways to monetize players' time and dedication.

If you're a free-to-play trainer, you'll still get nice rewards (and honestly, Yveltal is a pretty sweet catch). But if you’re deep into the grind, the Deluxe pass is there to tempt you with bigger rewards, faster progress, and exclusive items.

"Players with a free or paid pass should also pay attention, as the rewards must be claimed by Thursday, June 5, at 10:00 a.m. local time."

At the end of the day, the choice is still yours! Grind for free, pay for faster upgrades, or somewhere in between.

Just remember — this isn’t a one-off. With Spotlight IP steering the ship now, you can bet the GO Pass (and whatever comes next) is just getting started.

Catch ‘em all... or catch yourself wondering if you're actually chasing XP or chasing the next transaction.