Love in the Digital Age: Proposals at Pokémon Go Fest
This summer’s Pokémon Go Fest in Madrid became a heartwarming backdrop for five couples who chose to solidify their relationships with engagements. Some of these couples first met through the thrilling world of Pokémon Go, making their proposals a testament to both love and shared passion.
The significant event served as Europe’s primary gathering for Pokémon Go enthusiasts, which Eurogamer had the joy of attending. All the players who decided to pop the question received enthusiastic “yeses” from their partners, adding to the festive spirit of the weekend.
Before the festival kicked off, Pokémon Go’s developer, Niantic, reached out to the gaming community to see if there were couples planning to get engaged during the festivities. They had seen reports of similar proposals at past Go Fests and wanted to capture more of those joyful moments at the event.
Five couples responded to this query and were invited to surprise their beloveds during a special photo opportunity featuring Pikachu and Eevee, allowing their unforgettable moments to be beautifully documented with the beloved Pokémon in the background.
Martina and Shaun, who previously crossed paths in a London park while playing Pokémon Go, took the opportunity to get engaged at the festival after an eight-year relationship. Their journey included navigating long-distance logistics between England and Spain before Shaun moved to Barcelona to live with Martina this year.
“It felt like the right moment,” Martina shared after her proposal. “After eight years of being together, with the last six spent apart, we finally found stability in the same location.”
She added, “The game has introduced us to new places, and we love going on Pokémon Go walks, which our dog enjoys as well. We’ve forged connections with local players who have become integral parts of our lives.”
Joris and Louise, a couple hailing from the Netherlands, also joined the engagement festivities. Joris expedited his proposal plans upon seeing the Go Fest lineup, creating a surprise he hoped would delight Louise.
“I told her we won a VIP meet-and-greet with Pikachu and Eevee,” Joris recounted. “As the day progressed, my nerves increased, and I just hoped she wouldn’t catch on to the ring I was carrying. It was a total surprise for her!”
Another touching story unfolded with Ana and Daniel from Benidorm, who experienced what some might call “third time lucky.” The couple has known each other since 2018, and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Ana revealed she was expecting their now-three-year-old daughter.
“When I shared the news of my pregnancy, he proposed to me, but I felt unprepared and didn’t want to base our decision around the baby,” Ana recalled.
Although Ana eventually proposed to Daniel in return, they chose to maintain an informal relationship until this past weekend’s Go Fest, where she sought to surprise him once more.
“I wanted to catch him off guard!” Ana exclaimed about her recent proposal. “Ultimately, Pokémon Go has given me a wonderful boyfriend—and hopefully a future husband—along with a beautiful daughter, a circle of friends in Benidorm, and connections worldwide.”
With the conclusion of the recent Go Fest Global, Pokémon Go fans can look forward to this summer’s Ultra Unlock events, which promise new adventures with the introduction of Tandemaus and the much-anticipated arrival of Mega Lucario.