Pokemon Go game changes to promote "adventure from home" during COVID-19

[brightknightie]

Hi, fellow trainers!

In case you haven't heard, given the current public health situation, Pokemon Go has done a lot to encourage solo play, rural play, and general "adventure from home" play. Learn more on Niantic's official blog or Niantic's Support Twitter account.

Lowlights: People may be disappointed to hear that March's Abra Community Day has been postponed, and that no more EX passes will be distributed until further notice.

Highlights:

• In the shop, buy a one-time-only (one per player) box of 30 incense for 1 pokecoin!


• Incense now lasts for one hour and spawns more total pokemon (they come faster).


• Go Battle League no longer requires walking to unlock play!


• The current legendaries are available as Go Battle League rewards (not guaranteed, just added to the pool with the others; I got a Giratina A. as a reward last night!).


• Eggs newly placed in incubators will hatch in half the usual distance.


• Pokestops drop gifts more often (so we can all give each other resources more easily).


• Wild pokemon spawns increase.

Stay safe out there, trainers! Take good care of yourselves and our whole community. To "flatten the curve," raid from 6 feet apart, or from inside a car, if you can...? ♥

Comments

[cathyw]

that would be cool - the first time you log in every day you get a "free" pokestop spin (including getting a research task if you've got an open slot), or maybe increase the pokestop activation radius, or both?

[silveradept]

Something like that. The walk to the park and back is very nice for me, and I can keep an appropriate amount of distance, but for people who are flattened or who can't get out easily, they're missing out on streak experience and research task completion unless they live within range of a stop.