The Pokémon GO community wants live maps for gyms and raids. And preferably straight from Niantic.
As part of the tasks for players of Pokémon GO, they have to leave their homes and visit special locations where PokéStops or gyms are located. There they can collect essential items like Poké Balls or eggs and participate in raids against powerful bosses like Latias and Latios.
Players have long desired a way to check if raids are taking place within a broad area. Private providers offered such services over the past years, displaying on live maps where raids occurred. However, most live map providers have had to shut down by now. Therefore, players are looking for an alternative.
Pokémon GO live maps shut down
About a month ago, at the end of March 2018, Niantic forced the update 0.95.3 for Pokémon GO. Forcing means that players or programs with an older version of Pokémon GO can no longer communicate with the game. Additionally, the developers implemented a new security measure.
For the operators of live maps, this meant that they now had to combat a new security method to continue offering their service.
Remember that this type of maps violates the terms of service of Pokémon GO.
What are live maps?
Live maps communicate with Niantic’s servers to show players where monsters spawn worldwide and which opponents are currently appearing in raids. To do this, you input a desired location, for example Berlin, and then see which raids are taking place there at what time within several kilometers. This saves you running around aimlessly.
Without these maps, you’re wandering around a bit more aimlessly. When gyms are a few hundred meters away, they are not directly displayed in Pokémon GO. Instead, trainers have to walk closer to find out if a raid is taking place there and whether they want to participate.
Players want a live map from Niantic
The problem with live maps, as they could be found previously, is that they clearly violate the rules. To provide trainers with current information, they often use bots. These stand in the game at every street corner and document every spawn, raid, and every gym. The use of bots is punished by Niantic with bans.
Although the maps were prohibited, players still frequently used them. Many trainers even paid private providers to set up these bots in their villages.
On Reddit, a user Grogg2000 writes that Niantic should release an official map. In his opinion, it will harm Niantic in the long run to share little information about raids. “When I go somewhere, it would be cool to know if there are raids and what colors the gyms currently have there.”
On Reddit, his suggestion receives a lot of support. User jonathancutt immediately comes up with a name, “An official RAIDar would be so helpful. Help people coordinate.”
The idea of an official map would also help players in remote areas. In villages, they rely on city players who share raids through legal means, such as community maps. Others form WhatsApp groups or coordinate on Facebook with players from the same area to participate in raids together. However, this does not go well everywhere.
It is desired that
- Players can zoom out the Pokémon GO map further to see more raids or
- Niantic provides a standalone map that can be accessed either in-game or in a browser
Are you managing well without a map, or would you also like such a feature from Niantic?
