Pokémon GO planning another price hike? Niantic’s next move could cost you – literally!
In the world of free-to-play games, revenue-generating strategies usually fall into one of two camps: selling cosmetics or offering in-game advantages. Pokémon GO falls squarely into the latter category, providing various items to enhance your chances of capturing or hatching rare Pokémon. However, the player community has been growing increasingly concerned about the rising costs in the Pokémon GO shop, as well as the declining incentives to make these purchases.
The most recent uproar stems from a decision in April 2023, when Niantic nearly doubled the price of Remote Raid Passes. This move was met with widespread dissatisfaction, calling into question the evolving monetization strategy of the game. To add fuel to the fire, rumors have surfaced – courtesy of a prominent Pokémon GO player whose name we’ll withhold – that Niantic plans to hike up the prices of several other key items, including Incubators, Item Bags, and Pokémon Storage (from 200 to 300 for 50 storages spaces).
What’s particularly intriguing is the speculation that Niantic might employ a ‘Door-in-the-Face’ technique. The company could announce staggeringly high new prices for these items and then later reduce them to levels that are still elevated but appear more reasonable by comparison.
Another point of contention among players is the limited avenues for earning in-game currency. Players contribute to Niantic’s revenue not just by in-game purchases but also through gameplay and location data sharing. Why then, many ask, are there not more opportunities to earn Pokécoins? Options could include rewards for completing Pokéstop challenges or even weekly breakthroughs.
The gradual introduction of these anti-consumer practices by Niantic seems to follow the “boiled frog” principle: the idea that changes introduced gradually enough will go unnoticed until it’s too late. While the player community is becoming increasingly vocal about the deteriorating user experience, many of the player base remain blissfully unaware or indifferent.
To sum it all up, as the Pokémon GO community continues to invest time, effort, and yes, money into the game, holding Niantic accountable for transparent and fair monetization practices is essential for the long-term health of both the player community and the company itself.
