# 'Shouldn't Be Too Hard to Figure Out Who It Is': Pokémon Go Fans React in Disgust as Players Hand-Picked to Attend Exclusive Times Square Event Sell Their Prized Mewtwo for Thousands of Dollars, Breaking the Game's Rules

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-16 18:07 UTC · Category: Technology

## Executive Summary
Controversy erupts as exclusive Pokémon Go event attendees sell rare Mewtwo for thousands of dollars, violating game rules during the 10th anniversary.

## Intelligence Brief
A significant controversy has emerged within the Pokémon Go community following an exclusive event held in Times Square. According to reports from IGN, a small group of players were hand-picked to attend this special gathering, where they were granted access to the prized Pokémon Mewtwo. However, these players have reportedly begun selling their Mewtwo for thousands of dollars, an action that is considered a breach of the game's established rules. This development has triggered widespread reactions of disgust from the broader fan base, with some users suggesting that it should not be too hard to identify the individuals responsible for these prohibited sales. The coverage of this event is highlighted by Polygon.com and IGN, both of which emphasize the tension between the exclusivity of the Times Square event and the resulting black market activity.


While Polygon.com focuses on the fact that these rare Pokémon are being resold for thousands of dollars, IGN highlights the community's backlash and the specific violation of game guidelines. This friction occurs against a backdrop of broader celebrations for the game's 10th anniversary, which has also seen the launch of a 'Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration' event, as detailed in a guide provided by Polygon.com. Context for these events is provided by several outlets noting the game's decade of operation. The BBC reports on the millions of players who continue to attempt to catch all Pokémon ten years after the game's debut. Additionally, the 10th anniversary is being marked by institutional partnerships; the Cumnock Chronicle and Yahoo News UK report that the National Trust has partnered with Pokémon Go.


Other local celebrations are occurring, such as those in Loveland, according to the Loveland Reporter-Herald. Creative Bloq has also analyzed how the Pokémon Go brand has managed to stand the test of time over this ten-year period. Looking forward, the community is monitoring the fallout from the Times Square incident and whether the developers will take action against those selling Mewtwo. Military.com notes that Pokémon Go is preparing for the future and attempting to make good on its biggest promises. Observers will be watching for updates regarding the 'Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration' and whether the ongoing partnerships with organizations like the National Trust will be affected by the negative publicity surrounding the high-priced reselling of exclusive event rewards.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Cumnock Chronicle | National Trust partners with Pokémon GO for its 10th anniversary | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxPeG4xbXFnVGY4TlRKMjQwYW1yNHFZT3JXdnZQRGNFMWEyMXhyTWZveFFLVTh6UU0xejV2enN2ejJ1RVE5bFRpMlplelItNFc3YkFSYy1RaHhvdndqX0d6VGdpSXVLOFpZWVlHRmxwejk5WGJJUjlSeU1zZXo5MGtsRXhKWTlEcG1YTjU1SHJVWGNheHFJZ2NVOUJzVjBnd1ZQdEU2UVpaZGpMc2Z0bENOazc5em1hQjhP?oc=5) |
| Yahoo News UK | National Trust partners with Pokémon GO for its 10th anniversary | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifEFVX3lxTE9qNjMzbHRzUW5Qdmx6czRWZHptMENIVVFWUG5kcFg0THRlMUFYYXFYTkU3cUgxRkJaTGNuWHl4NnotVzRrMkQ5aFJrLWtYdk85eFFYLUhyU19jeWtNUUdtT2VEZHFUX0k3bXlMdFhvc3lNc05wa1U5LWZWUlg?oc=5) |
| Loveland Reporter-Herald | Loveland celebrates 10 years of Pokémon Go | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMie0FVX3lxTFBvWVZScmVfQ2haaGNzYnA5Tk1ZWC1VUnJfMGlUZEhncFpKd1RLd0tJeGxPQmNGak04S1Z5aDUzVGk3NnVJV01taVEwbmR0UFNWODBrOGlZc3BPR2psY2kwaDhLcUxsVWZya2hhekVXNU1UQjhEV3lmd0pBWQ?oc=5) |
| Polygon.com | Pokémon Go 'Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration' event guide | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxQZWNSa3hRekJ4RmU5VTI5SFNyMkZMMERWV1NYLVU1Um5tcTRWY1dKUGxBQW93VmZ0SnliZVBaLW9oeURZNHVMcXUyZ2p4X292empMelp6RmM3TEp2eWZXdGRFaFAzcU1SSWpYemNBRXp5c2VwblJSQXN3VnhqNmU2M2ZPV0dMb2x1TExv?oc=5) |
| Creative Bloq | How the Pokémon Go brand has stood the test of time | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi8gFBVV95cUxOR2pneTRtaUxKSDZxSnRLUHNwSVgwZXdGMmEwaHc0b2NSUUd4OW9zcGttZ21mTUEwb19maFRPWTBVMXdram16YUkySVBlQzVYb2VmbU51U0RoQ0ZiMTlqUDh3VzYyMWhXekVrMjczVkxqWlJsNEJmNGh0dzFsVEtKa2xtZW1YbHk3bURBQTAxOFdPZ2VJWXpxaWJjTzRMOEdwbXRJVUxfOGZ2bFJkSEZidGstWXNCVlJwNGRtZUMteGVGTmg1SDRoTGc0STdZLXRrWnlyRjd0ZzlYcHZLZ0FvUHR6akRuODl3cTBxS2plUHhfQQ?oc=5) |
| Polygon.com | Pokémon Go Times Square Mewtwo are being resold for thousands, sparking controversy | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxQSEVSM2tWMEhTa05XYnBsRHR3ZGo4anh3eVZ6SWt6aS14ZjJtcHctdm41bVBoTHhYcEVDd3BqMTFfTHFXRWludnNCTVV4VEwxM2hrLWRPUExYb3Y5R2ExdGFzUmc2SHdoWl9zSGM0NjlSM3BHRi1ZRHVtOUpONmdybFR1a3RQeGs2THUxNU4tV3pUWkk?oc=5) |
| Military.com | Pokemon GO Prepares For The Future, And Makes Good On Its Biggest Promise | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxORWI3ZUtBOW9mTFE4M01tV0FNSF9IZHJMNVplRnNtY0dqcXlmeW9LeGVGdlEwXzFEejZsM05uU0RHS2gyV25BNXR0VXF2QmkzMlpNRnZNTkJ5SEpNUmdDWkRhQUJ0cjBrM0paM3pVcE5KWHphVHVDN3o3aGdBdE43enIzeS1mS19ZTl9qelFWUUJSX2RMUjZ2UlplUGNCQQ?oc=5) |
| BBC | 10 years of Pokémon Go and the millions still trying to catch 'em all | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiXEFVX3lxTE5YdEpoNWJjcVltcWN1U213ODNCTHE1Nm5hdk53MGxWM0M5Wk1XVklLUnVaa0NmUkxDZTlzWk9CZVVFTzMycS1DdXp1N09nV0dLaFo2aEVnZWtjbmNi?oc=5) |
| IGN | 'Shouldn't Be Too Hard to Figure Out Who It Is': Pokémon Go Fans React in Disgust as Players Hand-Picked to Attend Exclusive Times Square Event Sell Their Prized Mewtwo for Thousands of Dollars, Breaking the Game's Rules | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAJBVV95cUxPY0hDLWZnN0dpVGJKNkpPRTdUbVc1eDFaN1FoOC00eUNJWkRWbWlOT2tkVHNEemNPWG1iTS0wYjdTTDFKYVVHLUwxUFhfekc2WEREY0FJazhSUWFId0c0eE0zTTI5cF8zeFFKa0ZhbEo3STNKMVZiQThNdkFrZVJ0TTFFSUFHaTN1WUJTLXN0SWNTZlhyaHdWeTRWUDdqM19ZNWowTlhseDFGYXFoVVhwcFlHQ2JzNWVfTS1nU2NxeHZXeGZGanBDRmVLUjFNMnZ6SkRPczA2UThhVFFrbFNzZ0RUOHhOZ0pJaks3a0NoMW5kMU9JaVp5R0pXOWhrMnBkOFhnTXF3dTVUQWFvdnFtSmtma01CV3B2Y1pibGdDY0lac0cx?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-16/shouldn-t-be-too-hard-to-figure-out-who-it-is-pokemon-go-fans-react-in-disgust*