Pokemon Go Niantic Don’t Want to Revert PokeStop Interaction Distance, Their Response is a Joke
There have been quite an eventful few days in the Pokemon GO community, where the company behind the game was forced (in some way) to release a statement.
For some time now, Niantic has been saying that they will revert the Gym and PokeStop distance changes back to the original distance, which left the majority of the Pokemon GO players dissatisfied. Back when COVID-19 was at the beginning of 2020, Niantic has increased the interaction distance to help battle the virus and keep people in their homes, where they could be safe.
A few days ago, they stated that the changes will be implemented now, just when COVID-19 is kicking off again and causing chaos all around the world. Due to this, the Pokemon GO Community decided to boycott this decision for a day, which is named “Pokemon NO Day”. The boycott was held on August 5th, and just a few hours later, Niantic released a statement.
In this statement, they are saying that they have heard the community, and also said the following: “We are assembling an internal cross-functional team to develop proposals designed to preserve our mission of inspiring people to explore the world together, while also addressing specific concerns that have been raised regarding interaction distance.”
You are probably thinking that this is a joke of a response, but we are sad to inform you that this is indeed what they have written in their response to “Pokemon NO Day”. They did not even make it clear whether or not they will be keeping the changes or go back to the original ones.
Here is the full response:
“To our Pokémon GO community
We appreciate your letter and all of your feedback. We hear you. We are humbled by your response. Not every game has such a passionate, global player base that we’re fortunate enough to have.
Like everyone else around the world, our team has been working very hard to adapt to the global health environment. The recent Exploration Bonus changes we’ve made in the U.S. and New Zealand are designed to restore some of the foundational elements players enjoyed prior to 2020, and reward players once again for moving and exploring.
Encouraging people to explore, exercise and safely play together in person remains Niantic’s mission.
The health and wellbeing of players is our top priority, which is why we have implemented the new Exploration Bonuses in select geographies where it is deemed safe to be outdoors.
Research has shown that taking walks outside is safe and confers several health benefits. Furthermore, encouraging outdoor exploration is in keeping with Niantic’s mission. That said, we will continue to monitor health and safety guidance related to outdoor activities, and will make future changes if necessary.
We have heard your feedback about one change in particular – that of the PokéStop and Gym interaction distance. We reverted the interaction distance from 80 meters back to the original 40 meters starting in the U.S. and New Zealand because we want people to connect to real places in the real world, and to visit places that are worth exploring.
However, we have heard your input loud and clear and so to address the concerns you have raised, we are taking the following actions: We are assembling an internal cross-functional team to develop proposals designed to preserve our mission of inspiring people to explore the world together, while also addressing specific concerns that have been raised regarding interaction distance. We will share the findings of this task force by the next in game season change (September 1). As part of this process, we will also be reaching out to community leaders in the coming days to join us in this dialogue.
Our goal is to build fun and engaging experiences that remain true to our mission, and we thank you for challenging us with thoughtful and constructive feedback.”
So what’s the conclusion after reading the letter from Niantic? No, they don’t want to increase the PokeStop and Gym interaction distance.
What do you think about this? Are you happy that they have responded at all?
I think it sucks. There are many players who fear going on out and I foe one still stay at home an mask up. The covud ain’t over with the new delta variant. Basically Niantic is saying go in out and get it they don’t care.Drlta ckvid is worse an spreads faster look at the percentages in the US and other countries then tell me we need to be out walking for Spins. Bad decision Niantic. You will lose players over this. Especially the older ones like me.
You know, that’s such a cop out. To have SO many loyal players say “I’m still out there exploring.. but it would be so much easier to keep the increased distance” to only have non response as a reply… is fully disheartening. Personally, I began watching at 4 when the indigo league came out. Now, I have a 4yo of my own, who has her own account, and watches pokemon while playing pokemon playhouse. Like.. this is your next generation here that can’t exactly go off on their own and “explore”.
So, speaking as a parent and a player.. aside from covid.. we wanna play when we can. So why can’t we keep the accessibility we need?
I feel you! Indigo league is where it all started! That’s really cool you’re keeping Pokemon alive in your family
There are plenty of other reasons why the increased interaction is a bonus. I don’t think Niantic fully comprehends why we liked the extra boost so kuch. Like there were so many complaints about trying to reach a pokestop. You could be right in front of one and IT WOULD NOT OPEN. Like you had to do some major feng shui to figure out how to get the pokestops to work. With the extension I could actually reach the stops without trying to Sherlock the place where the stops anchor was. Then theres the raiding. If you are just a foot out of range its an automatic remote raid pass and coupled with the above probs you might miss joining a raid with your party.
Pikachu walking GiF “Haters gonnna Hate” guess were going back to the fundamentals of the game
Their response was just a wishy washy corporate response and we all see it. Take action instead of a statement. Revert the change until you come up with whatever your assembled team comes up with. You could just avoid all the hassle by leaving the bigger distance permanent. All of my friends have vowed not to spend any money on the game until the spin distance is reverted.
I participated in Pokémon No Day, and haven’t played since. I don’t plan to, either, until they fix a lot of things
And the remote raids were created because..,
yeap,, more bullc we hear ya,, you don’t care, otherwise they will ban spoofers but there’s a lot of money that they spent even though they spoof.
This is so funny!! I.e… “Exercise, health and well-being!!”.. I started playing last October(2020). Since then I have gone from a size 10 to a size 12/14…
Reason being that I walked my dog’s 6 days a week which I still do but we not so much walk as ‘meander’ cos I’m on my phone playing Pokémon Go….. (and this was thru the ‘Covid distance’ re Pokestops and gyms!!)
Thoughts for us players as people and our general “well-being” is a farce… Its all about the bottom line for Niantic..
Reasons
Don’t worry
Don’t brake a winning formula guy’s, please.
Basically that response does not state what the range will be after Sept 1st. And “majority” is complaining? Truth is, majority does not care the distance. If majority was upset as stated, then there should be dramatically less active players since 5th of August.