Joe Rattata (he/him)
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joerattata.bsky.social
Joe Rattata (he/him)
@joerattata.bsky.social
Pokémon GO Substack operator, Twitch Affiliate, and mediocre Pokémon GO PvP player from New Jersey. Run The Jewels evangelist. Word game enthusiast. The mask goes over your nose.

pogojournal.substack.com
twitch.tv/JoeRattata
I wrote a piece about how Andrew Cuomo sucks.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...
Andrew Cuomo Is a Clown
The millionaire backed by Michael Bloomberg and super PAC money is a disgrace to his father's legacy and, in the end, to himself.
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
"To the folks who would continue to advocate for gatekeeping content, I'd ask whether they'd rather see the game fail than stray from their idea of what it should be. If yes, perhaps some self-reflection is in order."

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
Define "Casual Pokémon GO Player"
Good luck with that, by the way.
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Ngl, for a visual glitch, the colors are pretty dope.

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
October 9, 2025 at 9:34 AM
A short read about Pokémon GO's seemingly unquenchable thirst for your location data.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
Pokémon GO Evidently "Needs" to Know Your Location at All Times
Yeah, no.
open.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Now would be a great time for Scopely to stand for something more than “inspire play, every day.” open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp #FreePalestine
What Does Scopely Stand for?
Not a whole lot, as far as I can see.
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:49 AM
I want to meet the sort of player who isn't convinced to spring for GO Pass Deluxe until they hear they can earn a second shitty Incubator.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
On the Timed Incubator and the Life Span of Digital Assets
Pokémon GO's newest item comes both with a price tag and a deadline. Have fun!
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has read this post and who continues to support my writing hobby. This post has already received more than twice my normal views, so I definitely appreciate the extra love.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...
Is Niantic Still Bad? The Answer May (Not) Surprise You!
More details at 11.
open.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Excited for the new Pokémon GO season? Ahem, we'll fix that.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokémonGO #PokemonGOApp
Tales of Transformation: A Needlessly Thorough Season Preview
All the information you can handle and then forget until the week or day of.
open.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Worst Pokémon GO event ever? I don't think it's hyperbole to say yes. open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
Delightful Days Ends in the Most Pokémon GO Way Possible
That's, ahem, not a good thing.
open.substack.com
August 26, 2025 at 10:39 AM
View counts and open rate have been down lately, so let’s try actually promoting my own post in a timely fashion (what a concept)!

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp #GOBattleLeague
I'm (Slightly) Encouraged about the Upcoming GO Battle League Season
Well, at least until the schedule drops and the lag sets in.
open.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:44 AM
In other words, how low can Pokémon GO, er, go?

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
What Would Make You Stop Spending on Pokémon GO? Stop Playing Altogether?
In other words, how low *can* the game go?
open.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Overhauling the Buddy system may have its merits, but the bigger priority should be making Pokémon GO a more accessible game.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
Fix the Buddy System? Why Not Just Make the Game Easier?
Overhauling the Buddy system may have its merits, but the bigger priority should be making Pokémon GO a more accessible game.
open.substack.com
July 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM
W house spawn. IVs aren't anything to write home about, but I really can't complain, especially considering it's a random catch from my bed.

Wishing you good luck and safety on this day blessed by our Lord Arceus. 🙏

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
July 25, 2025 at 9:46 AM
The life of an Accounts Payable Specialist by day/Pokémon GO player by night is not a glamorous one, so I'm just getting to promote this now. If you haven't read it, sorry (or, alternatively, you're welcome) in advance for the length.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
The "Slopification" of Pokémon GO Content
"How many events do you want to hold at one time?" "Yes."
open.substack.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Despite being too lazy to promote my own work until now, we're off to a strong start in terms of views. I appreciate the support, and I hope the message resonates with you.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
The Game's Getting Fixed Eventually, Right?
Right?!
open.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Not exactly a doom-and-gloom piece, but not terribly optimistic either. It's really just me honestly reflecting on how I feel about Pokémon GO and the United States at the moment.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
On Pokémon GO Fest and the Fourth of July: What Are We Actually Celebrating?
There are reasons to celebrate, to be sure, but there's a lot worth questioning, too.
open.substack.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Little Cup is back! 🤏😍

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp #GOBattleLeague
July 2, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Wanted to help amplify this post from @michael-thomas.bsky.social to my small group of followers. The fate of life on Earth is quite literally at stake. open.substack.com/pub/heated/p...
The Senate is about to destroy clean energy to give tax cuts to billionaires
The bill could pass within the next 24 hours.
open.substack.com
June 29, 2025 at 8:21 PM
I feel like I've seen this in-game advertisement at least five times today. Is this the "Scopely effect" at work (please make it stop)? 🤦‍♂️

##PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp
June 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
(1/3) Keeping with a time-honored tradition (read: a whopping two years in a row), The PoGO Journal won’t be publishing a new post during GO Fest Weekend. The plan is to return next weekend—same rat time, same rat schedule.

In the meantime, please support two of my friends and loyal readers:
June 28, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Was going to DM you, @kevkage.bsky.social, but I wanted to make sure you could see that I (finally) got the sweatshirt! Thanks again!
June 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
It's a nice feeling when you're too busy responding to reader comments to actually promote your post. 😅

Thanks to all who have already liked and commented on this piece.

open.substack.com/pub/pogojour...

#PokemonGOApp #PokemonGO
Oh, Good—A $20 Item
Evidently, rendering these Gold Bottle Caps in Pokémon GO is *really* expensive.
open.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Look, I know it's not open Ultra League, and I know I'm only Rank 14, but just let me have this, OK?

#PokemonGO #PokemonGOApp ##GOBattleLeague
June 18, 2025 at 10:04 AM