Pokmon Go: Game boycott causes Niantic to restore post-pandemic bonuses

Update (08/26/2021) – GS

Even with vaccines and with many countries trying to return to normality, the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the world, with a new worsening caused by variants.

In June, Niantic announced that it would be removing or remaking some of Pokémon Go's bonuses, which were implemented last year as a result of the pandemic, but the news was not well received by the gaming community.

In response to this, many players in the United States and New Zealand decided to boycott the game, demanding that at least the expanded area of Gyms and PokéStops be maintained permanently. The measure paid off and Niantic announced this week that it will go back on some of its decisions.

Initially, Niantic posted a response that made little difference, promising to form a committee that would respond to community concerns within a month. While many continued not playing Pokémon Go or just playing what they could for free, the studio continued with the August events, ignoring the flood of comments and appeals from players, causing Niantic to decide to announce that the PokéStop and Gym area was restored in the US and are now a permanent feature.

Thank you to everyone who made your voices heard. We've heard you and understand that this has been a welcome benefit to many players. We'll share more next week. (2/2)

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) August 25, 2021

While some have embraced the change positively, celebrating the win for the community, especially gamers with disabilities, many remain skeptical. Some of the community members who were chosen to provide information to the committee hinted or openly stated that they should not discuss the details of their conversations with Niantic, leaving players justifiably concerned that the company's communication will not improve.

Anyway, it's good to see that the unity of the players always makes the studios understand what's best for them.

Will the novelty also be implemented in other countries?

Update (06/22/2021) – GS

While Brazil and some other countries are still facing the chaos of the coronavirus pandemic, many places around the world, which have a high rate of vaccinated residents, are already able to return to normality before the pandemic, with people being able to attend closed places without need masks and crowding.

With that in mind, activities that were prohibited during the quarantine, such as going out on the street to hunt Pokémon in Pokémon Go, are now allowed again, causing Niantic, the game's developer, to release some updates regarding the bonuses that were offered during the pandemic, as previously indicated.

Via their official blog, the developers provided a breakdown on bonus changes coming in the future, including things that will be added and bonuses that will be removed or kept.

In the post, the developer states that last year's temporary bonuses will only be removed after Pokémon GO Fest 2021.

New exploration bonuses to play alongside the real world

Starting in late July, the following exploration bonuses will begin testing initially in the United States and New Zealand:

• Receive up to two free Raid Passes per day by spinning Gym Disks;
• Incense benefit increased while moving;
• Guaranteed gifts when spinning PokéStops while not reaching the maximum inventory of gifts;
• Receive a 10x XP bonus when you spin a PokéStop for the first time.

These bonuses will end when the Discovery Season ends on September 1, 2021. Some of these bonuses may still continue into the next season, along with new bonuses. They will become available in other places and regions as pandemic restrictions change.

Bonuses presented last year that should be changed

Over the coming months, we plan to remove or change some of the bonuses introduced last year. The changes will initially be tested in the US and New Zealand at the end of July.

• Last year, Incense's effectiveness was increased to attract Pokémon to you more often, even if you couldn't leave your house. After the change, effectiveness will revert to default when you are stationary and increased when you are moving.
• Previously, your partner Pokémon brought you more gifts per day, with up to five gifts at once and up to three times a day. This was because we knew that trainers were running out of supplies like Poké Balls and berries to catch new Pokémon. As we try to encourage players to get outside, they can continue to receive supplies from PokéStops. After the change, the frequency of these gifts from partners will be reduced.
• Previously, the PokéStop and Gym interaction distance was increased, allowing people to reach them from farther away. After the change, the distance will return to normal where it makes sense in some places, although it can be increased during future events as part of certain tools.

Remote Raids have become an important part of the game over the last year and we will continue to evolve them.

Bonuses introduced last year that we plan to keep

Some of the changes we made last year were well-received by players and we plan to keep them going for the foreseeable future.

• The duration of the incense will remain at 60 minutes.
• It is not necessary to walk to GO Battle League.
• You can challenge any trainer remotely with a QR Code and the requirement to battle your friends remotely has been lowered for Good Friends.
• The maximum number of gifts you can carry in your backpack will remain at 20.
• Trainers will be able to open up to 30 gifts per day.
• You will still receive three times the amount of Stardust and XP from the first Pokémon you catch that day.

So, did you like the changes?

Original text – 09/30/2020

Pokémon Go: game will lose extra bonuses added during coronavirus pandemic

Pokémon Go was one of the games that had to adapt the most to the new standard with social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, for that Niantic added some functions like the possibility to play indoors and even some additional rewards for players. Recently even a free Incense box and Raid Pass were released for some trainers.

Through a post on the game's official blog, Niantic informed some of the bonuses and conditions for the game that should change now. The first of these is the distance to hatch eggs, which will return to the normal used before the coronavirus pandemic. Also, Pokémon Buddy will only give rewards once a day, with no guarantees of bonuses when visiting PokeStops, even when you have the most chances.

Incense used by the player will also only be more effective while moving, but will still last for 60 minutes.

The loot bag will remain at the same capacity: up to 20 gifts with the first daily catch yielding 3 times more Stardust and XP.

It is worth mentioning that the changes will take place from October 1st, when Pokémon Go will stop working on several phones.

However, Niantic stated that some news announced during the pandemic will remain in the game, including remote attacks and recent changes to Lot League.