Niantic is making some big news with its pandemic bonuses starting to expire for Pokemon Go trainers. The community’s reaction isn’t favorable.
Remember Pokemon Go?
Most people remember Pokemon Go from it’s original release in 2016. Many may have forgotten about the game but 2020 turned out to be the most profitable year yet for the the Pokemon Go creator, Niantic. The game generated $1 billion through the first 10 months of 2020. The game continues to grow and attract new players of all ages.
Pokemon Go invites the trainers to socialize and be close together to get the most out of the game. Including visiting Pokestops and Gyms. Niantic got praise for changing the parameters of the game and allowing people to continue playing admist the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes were made so that players did not have to go outside. Or be near each other as much as Pokemon GO usually requires. They included increased incense effectiveness and duraction, to draw more Pokemon to players without having to go outside. Also, allowing more gifts from Buddy Pokemon, and, critically, doubling interaction distances for Gyms and Pokestops.
Pokemon Go Bonuses are Starting To Expire
The pandemic bonuses began changing on Saturday, July 31, 2021 for a few countries, including the United States. Pokemon Go has kept some bonuses intact but has removed a few. Most importantly, decreasing interaction distance of Pokestops and Gyms. So now you must be closer to interact. This isn’t being taken lightly by many trainers in the community as the Delta variant continues to surge.
A petition has surfaced with over 125,000 signatures to reverse the interaction distance. Asking for the increased interaction distance to be a permanent change rather than a bonus that has an expiration. This decision to change signals a disconnect between Niantic and the playerbase for many players. With a lack of response, even though players asked for the change to be permanent before the reversal rolled out, said players feel Niantic is not listening. Will Niantic reverse their changes or continue their course?