Pokémon GO Shift to ‘Pay-More-To-Play,’ Heading Towards a Hidden Subscription Model?
Trainers, a recent thread over at The Silph Road (TSR) Reddit got our attention, and it’s something we think you should know about. It looks like Pokémon GO is slowly turning into something like a “pay-more-to-play” game. This started happening ever since the Remote Raids changed, and it looks like it’s not going to stop anytime soon.
The game is now offering monthly paid tickets that get you premium items. But at the same time, there’s been a significant drop in the free premium items that were once a part of our regular weekly and daily bonuses.
Events in Pokémon GO are also changing. Most events now offer two versions, one is free but basic, and the other requires a paid ticket, which often includes better rewards and Pokémon encounters. It’s also becoming evident that tickets, which used to be for really exclusive events, are now almost necessary to access the game’s best features. As a result, it appears that the free version of the game is being ignored.
Another concern is the reduced value of items in the game shop compared to last year. This has resulted in premium items being mostly obtainable only through purchases, which is a significant contrast to their previous availability through in-game elements.
Player feedback mirrors these concerns. Many argue that the cost of event tickets isn’t worth the rewards. Some are frustrated by the complex ticket system and the way premium items and content are locked behind a paywall. There are suggestions that a simple $5 per month subscription for all events would be more attractive, but the current approach of having multiple, separate tickets is off-putting.
Does it feel like the game has moved to a faux-subscription model?
byu/Quirky_Deer_690 inTheSilphRoad
Some tickets, such as those for the Global Go Tour, Global Go Fest, and Go Tours, are still considered valuable.
What’s your take on this? Are you getting these tickets? We would like to hear from you, so please leave a comment below.
