Pokémon GO players were upset when the game’s creator, Niantic, announced that the cost of remote raid passes would nearly double. Players could previously buy one pass for 100 coins or three passes for 250 coins, but now the cost of these items will nearly double to 195 coins for one pass, or 525 coins for three passes. When players try to participate in more than five raids per day they will be Unable to afford them. This change may make it difficult for new and casual players to progress in the game.
The popular augmented reality game Pokémon GO has led to an increase in income for its parent company Niantic, as well as increased interest in the virtual world. With the recent release of raid battles, which require players to meet up at specific locations in real life, the game has further encouraged people to explore their surroundings and meet new friends.
Pokémon GO’s team believes this change is necessary for the long-term health of the game, and they do not make it lightly. This step is intended to preserve and improve the unique experience players have when playing Pokémon GO, while also keeping offenders from gaming the system.
Previously, Niantic’s AR-based mobile games were designed to encourage players to explore the world around them. However, remote raid passes – which allow users to queue up for raids even when they are not in the same vicinity as other players – may seem to contradict that mission. But the feature also made the game more accessible to people who may have mobility issues or other limitations that prevent them from going out and catching ‘em all.
We saw some of this last year when they completely redid the whole “box economy” and made boxes contain far less for far more money, and it showed in revenue and user retention
I love playing Pokémon GO, but I don’t know if it can come back from this repeated erosion of trust.
— Joe Merrick (@JoeMerrick) March 30, 2023
Since the Box Economy completely overhauled how boxes were priced, revenue and user retention have both seen a significant increase. While some users may be disgruntled with the change, overall it has been successful in guiding the company towards greater profits.
Even though I love Pokémon GO, it’s difficult to continue playing when there are so many reports of people cheating or not being honest. It’s difficult to trust anyone in the game now, and I’m not sure if the app can recover from this repeated erosion of trust.
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backlash against these changes caused some of the more popular Pokémon GO influencers to threaten a boycott of the game. However, after significant backlash Niantic decided to scrap their plan and revert back to the way things were before. This shows that while there may be some negative consequences from pandemic-related changes, they ultimately do not outweigh the benefits of keeping players entertained and engaged in the game.
Niantic is said to be facing headwinds as the mobile gaming landscape shifts to real-world interactions. This has lead to layoffs and canceled projects, likely making Pokémon GO more desperate for cash. However, with over $9 billion valuation in 2021, the company seems to be doing well enough financially that it can weather these challenges.
Pokémon GO’s success is due, in part, to the game’s reliance on player location data. By harnessing this information, Niantic has been able to create an intricate AR metaverse that players can explore. Pokémon GO has also attracted new players with its in-game bonuses and by providing a social experience outside of the home.
