Pokémon Go Ends Pandemic Gameplay Bonuses When COVID Cases Rise

Pokémon walk Developer Niantic rolled out planned changes to its mobile game over the weekend and reset the gameplay bonuses introduced in 2020 to accommodate social distancing and quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic.

but COVID infections and deaths are increasing in the US, one of the areas where Pokémon GoThe pandemic-related changes will be rolled back, with some players questioning the timing. Some vow to quit the game or stop spending until Niantic is back to how things were.

Last year, Niantic made it easier for players to reach Pokéstops and gyms from further away. This change made it more convenient for players to spin more stops, sometimes from the comfort of their own home, to earn Poké Balls, gifts, and other items. An update to Pokémon Go in some areas has since cut the distance in half, meaning stops and gyms are less accessible.

Another recent change doubles the need for more exploration. A current bonus in Pokémon Go offers 10x the experience of spinning a Pokéstop that players have not yet visited. Niantic encourages players to play more Pokémon Go outside and in new places. Another change reduces the number of gifts players can send each other to receive in-game items brought to players by Buddy Pokémon. It’s another way Niantic is pushing players to get out again.

In June, Niantic told Polygon in a statement that it plans to reverse the game’s extended interaction distance and make other changes “where it makes sense to restore the game’s focus on exploration and discovery.”

“Going outside and doing PokéStops and Gyms is important to our mission because it helps us explore the world,” said Niantic. “These locations are local landmarks in a community and can be historical landmarks, art installations, local businesses, and more.”

But that was in June when COVID cases were declining and a month later The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said ahead of time that people who were vaccinated could stop wearing masks, even inside. A lot has changed in a short period of time, but Niantic’s plans haven’t changed.

As a result, two of the most popular Reddit communities are for Pokémon Go

Niantic hasn’t responded to player complaints about the newly introduced changes through official channels, but the developer faced a setback back in June and is unlikely to reverse its reversal anytime soon.