'Pokémon GO' Gen 2 release date, news: next update may not bring Gen 2 Pokémon

An image of people playing "Pokémon GO" near a busy crossing in Shibuya district in Tokyo, Japan, on July 22, 2016.REUTERS/Toru Hanai

"Pokémon GO" players were clearly excited when word got out that 100 Generation 2 Pokémon were found in the latest update's code. Now, before anyone jumps the gun and says that Niantic is definitely going to introduce a new batch of Pokémon in the next update, it should be noted that plans for a Pokémon trading feature and a player-vs-player (PvP) battle system were also found in the code back in August, and they haven't been added yet.

If it's in the code, it doesn't necessarily mean Niantic is going to include it in the next update. The good news is those features will certainly be added to the game in the future. The question is when. With this in mind, players should temper their expectations.

A report on iTech Post pointed out the same thing. The writer of the piece noted that Niantic might opt to add the PvP and trading features first since they have been in the code for months now. He also made a good point by saying that the Generation 1 Legendary Pokémon like Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, and Mew aren't even out yet.

Some reports continue to say that everything found in the code will be added in the next update or the update after that. But the fact is, Niantic will probably do this one step at a time, so don't expect them to add all those features in one huge update.

Meanwhile, several reports say the Generation 2 update may roll out during the holiday season or in January 2017. It should be noted that Niantic has not made an announcement yet. Until a confirmation is made, readers are advised to take everything with a grain of salt.

If Niantic manages to do this, Pokémon trainers everywhere will have a really joyful Christmas. Hopefully, they can add them sooner than later.