Just kidding, there's no new referee. The title should have been a dead giveaway. We're actually...

Removing Basics!


Well... kinda.

Let's face it - basic battles have been a joke for a long time. The current system of 1v1s is treated like a chore, intended to be completed as quickly as possible. While removing permabasics did solve the issue of this chore being abusable for profit, it didn't improve the actual process.

What we're actually removing is the 1v1 battle system. Don't worry though! We're also adding a number of new alternatives, based on some popular requests, with the intention of making 1v1 battles completely obsolete (hence their removal).

Pokemon will still require the same amount of experience to evolve; five per stage for three-stage Pokemon, and seven for two-stage Pokemon. The following methods will provide one EXP when the basic Pokemon is used.

Give one TM/BM/MT/SM and choose Nickname or Nature (only applicable once)
Start off that initial bonding with your new Pokemon with a bonus EXP point.
Participate in any battle, FFA or contest
With the removal of 1v1s, all battles are now 2v2+. A basic Pokemon participating in any battle, FFA or contest will earn one EXP point.
Complete a battle in the park without fleeing
Complete three encounters in the park
By very popular request/suggestion, it's now possible to roleplay the evolution of your basic Pokemon! Any completed battle in the park, including captures, will earn one EXP point. Completing three non-battle encounters will also earn an EXP point.
Use a Rare Candy
Yes, you are reading that right - this is the quickest, most efficient option for players who just want to get their fully evolved Pokemon onto the battlefield. Rare Candies will be added to the Pokemart at a cost of $500 each, making it possible to fully evolve any Pokemon for $3500/$5000 at the time of purchase.
The Starter Package will also now include five Rare Candies to help newer players become competitive quickly.
Before the rest of you all cry "Where are my Rare Candies!?!" in celebration of this addition we're giving everyone five too. You can feed your Pokemon almost as much as Seppe feeds his lane opponents.
Finally, there are also a couple of quick, efficient methods for the roleplayers. The following will ignore EXP, and evolve a Pokemon one stage on completion:

Complete a Special Mission in After Hours
Special missions intended for evolution will be incorporated into After Hours. A three-stage Pokemon will require 3-5 posts per stage, and a two-stage Pokemon will require 5-7 (depending on quality)
Complete a Beginner Run in the park
Beginner runs contain five low-tier encountered, perfect for new members to use basics, and will earn a full evolution stage.
All these methods aim to improve engagement with new players, allowing them to experience the variation of play styles in URPG, rather than forcing them into chore-like grinding right off the bat. It also provides several much more enjoyable or much easier options for established players.

URPG 2.0, 2016.

Have fun! Or don't, I'm a post, not a cop.