Even the world of Pokemon is being affected by the global coronavirus pandemic, it seems. While most Pokemon games can be enjoyed from the safety of one's home, making them quarantine-optimal, Pokemon GO is not. Since the game is built around socializing and getting out to explore, it's the opposite of what people should be looking to during a pandemic. Pokemon GO developer Niantic, realizing this, is making efforts to reduce its role in the current coronavirus crisis.
Today, Niantic confirmed that the previously scheduled March Community Day in Pokemon GOÂ has been suspended. The Community Day, previously announced to focus on the Pokemon Abra, will be rescheduled for a later date at another time. The Abra Community Day was scheduled to take place Sunday, March 15, just a couple days away.
Pokemon GO's Community Day doesn't necessarily require players group up to enjoy it. In fact, it's very easy to make the most of the event by yourself. However, even the name "Community Day" implores players to gather and enjoy the event together. Niantic is going out of its way to discourage gathering. It certainly doesn't want to see headlines about the coronavirus spreading among kids playing Pokemon GO over the weekend.
This isn't the first Pokemon GO story related to the coronavirus, surprisingly. Niantic issued a statement Thursday saying that it was working on ways to enhance its games in the "individual setting." This fit with fan theories that Pokemon were spawning more frequently around a player, discouraging grouping or wandering around.
Pokemon GO isn't the only Pokemon game that's been affected by the coronavirus, either. This time of year is filled with main-franchise Pokemon competitive events. Just recently, several regional championships for the Pokemon Championship have been canceled. They include all of the Pokemon Sword and Shield competitive events between now and early April.
The novel coronavirus is affecting many events across the video game industry. Pokemon GO and the competitive Pokemon Sword and Shield tournaments are just more examples. Whether it's Mortal Kombat 11, League of Legends, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, or any number of other games, if it involves a crowd or socializing, it's being shut down. Things may be getting worse before they get better, but the gaming industry is taking everything very seriously.
Pokemon GO is available now on iOS and Android devices.