Niantic Made a Mistake with 1 Pokemon Go Change That’ll Never be Forgiven, and Undoubtedly Forced Some Players to Leave

Niantic’s popular mobile game Pokemon GO has experienced its fair share of ups and downs since its release in 2016. One of the topics that players have brought up time and again is the Remote Raid Passes. Initially introduced during the pandemic to help players participate in raids without leaving their homes, these passes quickly became a favorite. 

But the repeated changes to their pricing and usage have not sat well with the Pokemon GO community. This is because the Remote Raid Passes were not just a convenience but also a necessity for many, including disabled players and those in rural areas.

Fans Are Not Happy With The Repeated Pokemon GO Price Raise

Remote Raid Passes were introduced in Pokemon GO during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow players to participate in raids from the safety of their homes. Initially, players could get these passes for one PokeCoin during events, making them accessible to nearly everyone. 

“Why’d you raise the price?”
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One of the most controversial changes was the increase in the price of Remote Raid Passes. Previously, players could purchase a three-pack of passes for 300 PokéCoins, but this has now jumped to 525 PokéCoins. Single passes saw a price hike from 100 to 195 PokéCoins.

The outcry was immediate, with many players feeling that Niantic‘s decision was a blatant cash grab, especially since these passes were once obtainable for just one coin during special events. 

The pricing changes are not the only issue. Niantic has also limited the number of Remote Raids a player can participate in per day to five, further restricting accessibility. This limitation particularly impacted players who relied on remote raids due to living in areas with few gyms or PokéStops.

Wth is this? Isn’t 525 for 3 remote raid passes the regular price?
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Niantic’s justification for these changes revolves around the idea of restoring the game to its original vision. The developers argue that Pokemon GO was designed to encourage physical activity and social interactions.

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But many players feel that this reasoning disregards the reality of the current player base. The pandemic has permanently altered how people interact with the game, and many have come to rely on the convenience of Remote Raids.

Niantic Has Had a History of Making Changes to Pokemon GO That Nobody Wants

The community’s reaction to these changes has been negative. Reddit threads and online forums are filled with complaints and disappointment. Players lament the loss of affordable and accessible gameplay options, with many stating they will no longer invest time or money into the game. 

This sentiment is particularly strong among long-term Pokemon GO fans. They feel that the developers have betrayed their trust and prioritized profits over player satisfaction. Niantic risks alienating a substantial portion of its player base, which could lead to a decline in active users.

The increased cost of Remote Raid Passes is just one example of what many players see as a trend of overpricing within the game’s shop. From PokéBalls to battle passes, players have voiced concerns that the game’s pricing model is becoming increasingly exploitative.

What do you think of Pokemon GO‘s direction over the years? Are you happy with where the game is at? Let us know in the comments!