What is Pokemon GO’s Ghost in the Machine Research? – Answered

Can you catch me, catch you, catch me, little Rotom~

Pokemon GO Rotom
Image via Pokemon GO Live

Pokemon GO seemed eerily quiet lately with the lack of new events or research announcements. So, when they accidentally pushed out research titled ‘Ghost in the Machine’ early, players were quick to speculate what the upcoming research would involve.

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What We Know About the Ghost in the Machine Pokemon GO Research

Niantic accidentally released their latest research called ‘Ghost in the Machine’ and disappeared soon after. Fortunately, some eagle-eyed players witnessed Niantic’s blooper and were able to screenshot it for the rest of the player base.

Pokemon GO Ghost in the Machine Details

The Ghost in the Machine research contains only a single step. It needs to be completed in just under twelve days, which is a generous amount of time. The required step says, ‘Catch me if you can!’ and rewards trainers with 30 Rotom candy. Rotom is notorious for avoiding capture, so it is unsurprising that Niantic would incorporate this into Pokemon GO.

Below the Rewards box is an incomplete code. Said code will need to be successfully completed and redeemed so that the research can be completed. Niantic mentioned this on their Pokemon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles page, which they refer to as a ‘paranormal puzzle’. 

“Rotom is causing mischief at Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles! Work together with fellow Trainers to piece together a secret code that unlocks an encounter with Rotom. Once Trainers at Rose Bowl Stadium decipher the code, Trainers worldwide can redeem it, too!”

Niantic, 2024

Players attending the Los Angeles event must work together to complete the puzzle and obtain the correct code. Fortunately, this code is a single code that can be shared by all so that everyone can use it globally, and it won’t be long until it is shared online for everyone to benefit from. Rotom for everyone!

Pokemon GO Ghost in the Machine Rewards

For completing the Pokemon GO Ghost in the Machine step ‘Catch me if you can!’ you will receive the following:

  • 30 Rotom Candy
  • 479 Stardust
  • 459 XP
  • Rotom encounter

How to Redeem the Ghost in the Machine Research in Pokemon GO

The process to redeem the Ghost in the Machine research in Pokemon GO is as follows.

  • Follow this link to the Pokemon GO Live Offer Redemption page.
  • If prompted, log into your Pokemon GO account.
  • Use the code discovered by the Los Angeles players in the redemption section.

With some sleuthing, players will now have Rotom added to their in-game PokeDex. Which is great, another Sinnoh Pokemon down. However, if you were expecting the Sinnoh event to complete the regions PokeDex, as the three previous events did, do know that Arceus, Phione, and Manaphy will not be released during the event. Bummer!

About the Author

Priscilla Wells

Priscilla is both the weekend editor and a freelance writer at Prima Games. She began working at Prima Games in early 2023. Prior to this, she spent nine years writing for both her own personal gaming blog, and other related websites. Priscilla has grown up playing video games, and most often plays her PS5 and Nintendo Switch consoles. You can find her playing Final Fantasy XIV, RuneScape, Pokemon GO, or lost in the latest RPG to release. She is an Australian living in the United States with her American husband, three children, and her Basset Hound. Before moving to the United States, Priscilla obtained a Bachelors of Secondary Education majoring in English and Japanese Language. This allowed her to teach English and Japanese in a high school setting. You can follow her on Twitter/X at @Cilllah