The Pokémon Go Community Is Locked Into a Measuring Contest of the Best Kind

Pokemon Go has been rather hit or miss for its developer Niantic recently. Despite the game’s unique augmented reality setting that gets its players off the couch to hunt Pokemon in the real world, the studio’s in-house implementation of events like its Adventure Week has seen it receive a lot of criticism for how they have been handled.

However, Niantic is fortunate enough to have a community of players who continue to enjoy the game as a part of their daily routine. A recent discussion on the game’s subreddit is a great example of how they continue to enjoy its unique gameplay loop.

Pokemon Go Really Lets Players Catch ‘Em All

Ever since its release in 2016, Pokemon Go has been a great addition to a plethora of games based on the popular IP. But Niantic’s unique spin on that premise has been great for fans, as it simulates being a Pokemon trainer in the real world with players hunting down rare and powerful specimens while they are out and about.

Pokemon Go players have largely enjoyed the experience on offer in the game, with some players having a better time with the game than others. However, the aforementioned Reddit post showcases how loyal the game’s fanbase really is – a sentiment that Niantic would do well to consider when it ponders how to improve the experience for the community as a whole.

A Different Kind of Contest

Eggs are among the many ways that a player can unlock new Pokemon in the game. However, the post below showcases how some players have held onto an egg in the game ever since they started playing it when it was released nearly eight years ago.

Do I have the oldest egg in the game? 🤔
byu/PokeBlake33 inpokemongo

While the player in question obtained his egg in August 2016, other players were quick to chime in with eggs that were obtained even earlier and continue to sit in their inventories.

For instance, one Pokemon Go player showed he had held onto an egg from July 2016, only to find two other players who had obtained eggs of a similar rarity on the same day as he did, making them “egg triplets.”

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byu/PokeBlake33 from discussion
inpokemongo

Other players shared their experiences with eggs that literally traveled the world with them – demonstrating how Pokemon Go has managed to be a constant part of their lives on account of how much fun they’ve had with it over the years.

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byu/PokeBlake33 from discussion
inpokemongo

While Niantic should be proud of creating a game that players refuse to let go of, the studio must consider rewarding their loyalty by creating a better experience for them with its events and the pricing on a few key in-game resources in order to sustain its player base.

It’s clearly never too late for Niantic to make Pokemon Go the experience that its fans deserve, considering how they have managed to keep the game alive despite some baffling decisions on the studio’s part.

Can Niantic manage to keep its player base happy? We would love to hear what you have to say in the comments!