Pokémon Go developers revamp the popular mobile game to make it easier to play while stuck indoors during the coronavirus pandemic
- Niantic Inc. has introduced a number of changes to Pokémon Go to make it more amenable to self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic
- The company will wave walking requirements for Battle League and extend the length of raids, during which ultra rare Pokémon are available
- It’s also increasing the number of Pokémon habitats to make it easier to find and capture the creatures
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Pokémon Go is being revamped to be easier for people to play while cooped up indoors during the coronavirus pandemic.
Niantic Inc., developer of the massively popular mobile game, announced a series of changes to the game in a recent series of blog posts.
The biggest change involves Pokémon Go’s Battle League, a mode where experienced players can team up with friends to battle other groups of players.
Niantic Inc. announced a series of changes to Pokémon Go to make it easier to play for people with limited mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic
To qualify for a Battle League session players normally have to walk at least 1.9 miles (3 kilometers), but for the next 30 days Niantic will waive all walking requirements, according to the blog post.
The company is also increasing the number of Pokémon habitats to make it easier to find new creatures to capture.
The company has also cut the price of incense, a frequently used item that attracts Pokémon to players as they move around at a greater than normal price.
A 30-pack of incense will be available for one Pokécoin, and will last for an hour instead of the standard 30 minutes.
Pokécoins are the game’s virtual currency that can be bought in bundles, starting at $1 for 100 coins, and going up to $100 for 14,500 coins.
The company has increased the number of Pokémon habitats in an effort to make it easier to find new Pokémon to capture without having to travel as far, and Battle League will no longer require players to have first walked 1.9 miles to qualify for participation
The company will also expand the window for two upcoming raids to a full week each, giving fans more of a chance to catch ultra rare Pokémon bosses Cobalion and Lugia
PokéStops will also be revamped to more frequently dispense Gifts, which include special items, boosts, and more.
Perhaps most importantly, Niantic will increase the length of time the game’s next two raids are available so high level players will have a better chance to collect the two new ultra rare Pokémon that are only available in raids.
The new raid window for Cobalion will be Tuesady, March 17 at 1:00PM to Monday March 23 at 1:00PM. (All times are PST.)
The next raid, for Lugia, will now last from Tuesday, March 24 at 1:00PM to Tuesday, March 31 at 1:00PM.
Pokémon Go raids typically involve a team of players gathering at a specific place in public that’s been designated as an in-game dungeon with one ultra-powerful boss Pokémon character waiting at the end.
‘The safety of our global player community is our top priority. COVID-19 is challenging us and the world to adjust,’ the company posted on Twitter.
‘We’re putting our focus on expanding features and experiences in our games that can be enjoyed in an individual setting and that also encourage exploration!’
WHAT IS POKEMON GO?
Pokemon Go is a mobile augmented reality game developed by Niantic for both Android and iOS devices.
The game was released on July 6, 2016 and operates on a freemium model which allows it to be played for free, though additional in-game items and services are available for a fee.
Based on the wildly popular Pokemon franchise, the game’s objective is to find, capture and train Pokemon that appear on a player’s screen as if they appeared in the player’s actual real-world location.
New quest types will help to greatly add to the depth, complexity and story line of Pokemon Go
Despite mixed reviews from critics, the game has proven to be hugely popular among gamers, being downloaded more than 750 million times within a year of its release.
The game has proven to be a cultural phenomenon, though not without causing controversy along the way.
Researchers revealed that the game was responsible for a staggering $7.3 billion (£5.2 billion) in damages from car crashes in the United States alone within just a few months of its release.
However, other studies have shown the positive effects of the game, believing that it aided people who struggled in social situations by encouraging them to get out and interact with others.