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Though COVID-19 is still present in many countries across the world, mobile games like Niantic's Pokemon GO are starting to shift back to its original pre-pandemic gameplay. The player base now needs to go outside and actually visit physical locations to fully enjoy the game's features. With many people still wary of the virus, Pokemon GO has understandably received a lot of negative feedback, especially with the recent in-game nerfed items and shortened Pokemon GO Community Days. In a recent interview, Live Game Director Michael Steranka shared a response to all the changes the game is making despite the pandemic.
Pokemon GO players will likely be familiar with the most recent controversy hitting the mobile title. March 2022 saw changes in the Pokemon GO Incense item. Originally, the item made Pokemon spawn on the player's map even when they are stationary. Now that restrictions are easing up, Niantic saw fit to bring down the item's effectiveness and increase the time needed for Pokemon to spawn when a player is not moving around. According to Steranka, these changes were brought about by the team going back to the company's original goal of having players move about while exploring and connecting with each other in the real world.
In the interview, Steranka insisted that though it seems like changes to Pokemon GO's Incense item are making it weaker, the team focused on making sure that the in-motion bonus was still implemented very strongly. This includes increasing Pokemon encounters while players are moving around and needing less distance to increase those Pokemon encounters. Though this still does not directly answer the community's feedback about lessening the item's effectiveness when stationary, Steranka shared that implementing these features and bonuses are still a careful balancing act.
Steranka was also asked about Niantic's plans for those within the community who are not as mobile as other players. This includes children who have just started to enjoy Pokemon GO's gameplay features and players with disabilities. Steranka was not able to share any details from the company yet. However, Niantic is discussing these issues and looking at new ways to aid these community members.
Given how Pokemon GO was still able to thrive despite experiencing many challenges during the pandemic, the community is likely hopeful that Niantic will listen closely to the players when it comes to implementing these kinds of gameplay changes. Hopefully, this will also lessen the backlash and negative feedback and promote the local community that Pokemon GO is striving to achieve.
Pokemon GO is available on iOS and Android mobile devices.
Source: Kotaku