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In this time of self-isolation and social distancing, games like Pokémon GO face an uphill battle. As a location-based AR experience, Pokémon GO is dependent upon its players getting up and going outside. With COVID-19 significantly marginalizing the ability of people to venture outdoors, this meant that developer Niantic had to go back to the drawing board and find ways to accommodate users who are responsibly staying inside but who also still want to play the game. In March Niantic had taken several steps to do just that, including postponing its Abra Community Day and Safari Zone events, as well as facilitate players to partake in Battle League without all participants needing to be in the same space.
Niantic has announced several new measures that will be taken to further maximize GO as an at-home game:
In our continued efforts to prioritize Pokémon GO experiences that can be enjoyed in individual settings, we’re excited to announce that
⭐ Remote Raid Passes
⭐ Bonus research tasks
⭐ Boost-item stacking
and more are coming to #PokemonGO!https://t.co/yNGqNwST1b pic.twitter.com/6VENmx0buq— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) April 15, 2020
Here are some further details about these changes, straight from Niantic:
We’re excited to announce upcoming changes to Pokémon GO. In our continued efforts to prioritize Pokémon GO experiences that can be enjoyed in individual settings and from home, you’ll soon be able to enjoy the following.
- With a Remote Raid Pass, you can access Raid Battles you can see on the Nearby screen from wherever you are.
- You’ll receive a bonus Field Research task daily without having to spin a PokéStop.
- As you run low on Gifts, your Buddy Pokémon will venture to nearby PokéStops and bring some Gifts back for you to send out to your friends.
- You’ll be able to power up your Pokémon to the desired CP by using all the required Candies and Stardust at once.
- After using a Star Piece, Lucky Egg, or Incense, you’ll be able to use more of the same item to extend the item’s effect beyond the usual 30-minute limit. No more waiting for an item effect to expire before you can use another one!
- Look out for other updates, including improved battle-screen design.
For the full details, please hit the link at the bottom of the page. It’s great to see Niantic being so flexible during this crisis. Granted, if player can’t go outside to play GO it means a dearth of income for the developer, but it’s no small task to make sweeping changes like this— especially assuming that they might be reversed once the pandemic reaches its conclusion. Does this make you want to fire up GO and play at home? Tell us below and on social media!
Source: PokémonGOLive.com
