Thanks to some recent datamines, Pokemon GO players are able to feel pretty confident that some sort of subscription model is coming to the mobile AR experience. At this point there haven't been any official announcements about a subscription or what it would entail, so there has been a whole lot of speculation about everything from the release date to the price to the potential benefits. There still isn't any official word from Niantic on that front, but the company has revealed details about the Ingress subscription model, which could be a great place to look for hints about how things could work in PoGO's future.
For those who are unaware, Ingress is about mobile AR game from Niantic that the company launched a few years before Pokemon GO. The hacker-themed game has a lot of similarities to Pokemon GO and although each game is unique there are definitely plenty of correlations between Ingress, PoGO, and even Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. The new press release from Niantic reveals the price and all the benfits of the Ingress subscription model, so it's worth taking a look at what is on the table and how it could translate to the world of Pokemon...
Keep in mind that although this information about Ingress is confirmed, any speculation about how it might translate to Pokemon is still in the realm of predictions and speculation. There have been no formal announcements yet, so everything is still a mystery for the Pokemon GO subscription model.
"C.O.R.E., which stands for Community, Offers, Recognition, and Expansion, is an optional monthly subscription service for Ingress Agents. Soon available through the in-app Store, the C.O.R.E. subscription will be priced at $4.99 USD per month, or your local currency equivalent, inclusive of taxes and fees, determined by your digital distribution service (Google Play or the App Store)."
"As a C.O.R.E. subscription member, you will get access to the following benefits:"
500 capacity expansion to Inventory
C.O.R.E. Agent Profile Medal
C.O.R.E. Agent Codename Flair
Monthly 2,500 CMU grant*
1 C.O.R.E. Loadout Kit every month
View Inventory and acquired Portal Keys on Intel Map
"*Agents who subscribe within the first 30 days from launch date will receive a one time bonus grant of 7,000 CMU total, and resume the monthly 2,500 CMU grant from the second month."
Price
Perhaps the most important factor is the price of the subscription. If Pokemon GO's model ends up match the Ingress system, then it looks like trainers will be seeing a price of $4.99 USD per month. That's pretty affordable, if the benefits end up being valuable enough.
Expanded Inventory
The CORE subscription is giving Ingress players a 500 capacity increase, which seems like something that PoGO players could go for as well. The one big difference is that PoGO players have both Pokemon Storage and Inventory space to manage. So, if an equivalent bonus arrives, it will be interesting to see if it is an increase for both of those types of storage or just one. Maybe smaller increases to both?
Medals and Flair
These bonuses in Ingress are basically just for use and some similar equivalent will likely be a part of the Pokemon GO offering, as well. PoGO has medals and lots of cosmetic item options, so there will likely be some combination of those things.
PokeCoins
This could be the big selling point for the subscription. It looks like Ingress players are getting a one-time lump some of the in-game currency as well as a smaller recurring payment once per month. It's tricky to convert the Ingress in-game currency to Pokecoins, but the recurring monthly deposit might be similar to something in the ballpark of 200 Pokecoins if everything matches up the same. Following along with that conversion, the one time lump sum for signing up would be something roughly around 500 PokeCoins if a similar deal is offered. Take note that only users who subscribe within the first 30 days of launch seem to be eligible for that first month bonus in Ingress. It's possible a similar incentive would be offered in Pokemon GO to boost early subscription numbers with a tempting bonus.
Although we'll obviously need to see how things actually shake out when the inevitable Pokemon GO announcement arrives, so far it sounds like there could definitely be some decent value in this type of subscription model. If players are about to pay $5 per month and get roughly $2 back in PokeCoins plus all the other perks, that may end up being valuable enough for hardcore players to make the commitment.
One of the major predictions for the Pokemon GO subscription models that is totally missing from the Ingress announcement related to either a discount or instant access to ticketed events in the mobile AR experience. Lots of trainers were hoping that a subscription might replace the need to buy tickets to the monthly Community Day special research storylines and other inexpensive ticketed micro events, but the Ingress system certainly doesn't offer any evidence pointing in that direction. Trainers will still need to wait for the real announcement, but it may be time to start preparing for the possibility that a PoGO subscription will not replace the need to purchase tickets for individual events.
Hopefully the official announcement and details arrive soon and players can get some facts about the rumored subscription model early this year. Be sure to check back in the near future for more Pokemon GO strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GOÂ is available on Android and iOS.