Pokémon Go leak points to fan-favourite meme becoming a reality
Hat's off.
Before we even get to this weekend's December Community Day extravaganza and Pokémon Go's forthcoming holiday 2019 event, developer Niantic has been quietly adding things behind the scenes set for release in 2020.
Files relating to Pokémon Go's two big upcoming modes - Battle League and the AR Buddy update - suggest work on both is now well underway.
But the biggest news is the leaked assets which point to a two-year old Pokémon Go meme finally becoming a reality. Yes - Pokémon Go looks like it will finally release Party Hat Wurmple.
What is a Party Hat Wurmple, I hear you ask. Well, it is a Wurmple featured on Pokémon Go's 2018 New Year loading screen wearing a party hat.
The exuberant little party insect found a special place in Pokémon Go fans' hearts. Fan art was made, and Party Hat Wurmple became something of a meme among hardcore players on the Silph Road reddit - but few suspected it would ever be released.
Still, every time yet another Pikachu costume was added to the game, a particularly dedicated group of fans would ask the question - well, when are we getting Party Hat Wurmple?
(It's also a burning question I put to Niantic boss John Hanke in person last year.)
Now, incredibly, these images show Party Hat Wurmple in the game's files and all ready to release.
And not only Wurmple, in fact. As you can see from the image above, a Party Hat Wobuffet and a Party Hat Raticate have also been found within the game's files. Fans expect these three to appear in a forthcoming New Year 2020 event, after the game's forthcoming holiday event wraps up.
Will he worm his way into your heart?