'Pokemon GO' rumors: Gen 4 release expected in June

The augmented reality mobile game "Pokemon Go" by Nintendo is shown on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration taken in Palm Springs, California U.S. July 11, 2016.REUTERS/Sam Mircovich

It has not been long since Niantic rolled out Generation 3 creatures in Pokemon GO but trainers are already anticipating the next release. Although there is no official date yet, Gen 4 is expected to make their way to the game sooner than later.

Unlike the handheld games which took a couple of years in between generations, Pokemon GO has had a quicker release window. To recap, it only took six months after Gen 1's July 2016 release for the second one to start arriving in the game. Gen 2's mass rollout began in February 2017; and again, six months later, the game started releasing the first batch of Gen 3.

Niantic has since changed their release schedule as Gen 3's rollout still continues today but Forbes says the next one should hit the game in no time. Looking at the release calendar, the publication predicts Niantic will likely start teasing Gen 4 as early as May or June and follow it with a mass release by June or July. If not, it may grace the game by August or September.

Gen 4 will be smaller than the previous generation. As reported earlier, players can already evolve Gen 1 Pokemon like Eevee into Glaceon and Lefeon by then, as well as Electabuzz into Electivire; and Magneton into Magnezone. Magmar can be evolved into Magmortar, Lickitung to Lickilicky, Tangela to Tangrowth, and Rhydin to Rhyperior.

Gen 2, on the other hand, will have the most evolutions with the availability of Aipom's Ampibom, Gligar's Gliscor, Misdreavus' Mismagius, and Murkow's Honchkrow. Piloswine can also become Mamoswin by then, Sneasel to Weavile, Togetic to Togekiss, Porygon 2 to Porygon-Z, and Yanma to Yanmega.

As for the first batch of Gen 3 evolutions, Dusclops can be evolved to Dusknoir; Kirlia (a male one) to Gallad; Roselia to Roserade; Nosepass to Probopass; and Snorunt (a female one) to Frosglass.

Note, though, that Niantic has yet to announce the release date for the next generation of Pokemon GO, so the report should be taken with a grain of salt. In the meantime, players can take advantage of the third Community Day event to capture a rare Pokemon with a unique move. The event takes on March 25, running for three hours, beginning at 11 a.m. PST / 2 p.m. EST and ending at 2 p.m. PST / 5 p.m. EST.