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Pokémon GO starts to reset for a post-lockdown world

Changing coming to US and New Zealand in July

Pokémon GO starts to reset for a post-lockdown world

Developer Niantic was quick to revamp its location-based hit Pokémon GO for a lockdown world, but now it's thinking seriously about how to move on.

In a blog post, the San Francisco-based developer highlighted the changes it's making, breaking them down into:

  • Lockdown features it's removing or changing
  • Lockdown features its keeping
  • New features

All these features are based on the exploration bonuses players gain by playing the game.

And given Niantic's vision has always been built around "ideas of exploration, exercise and playing with friends", it's no surprise that making Pokémon GO a more outdoors experience again is key.

However, given the different lockdown conditions that still exist globally, Niantic is rolling out these changes in geographical regions.

End of July

So, starting at the end of July, players in the US and New Zealand will benefit from increased Incense effectiveness while moving and more gifts and raid passes when interacting with PokéStops and Gym Photo Discs.

In contrast, players in the US and New Zealand will also be the first to see the reduction in lockdown features such as the ability of Buddy Pokémon to bring you gifts. Players will need to get physically closer to PokéStops and Gyms in order to interact with them too.

You can read the full list of changes here.

Pokémon GO broken the $4 billion mark in player spending in November 2020.


Contributing Editor

A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.