In Pokémon GO, multiple stops seem to be transforming into gyms. Players report that they apparently do not follow the usual pattern.
This is what trainers report: In the Pokémon GO subreddit “TheSilphRoad” (via reddit) and on Discord, players share that they have observed changes on the Pokémon GO map. Numerous new gyms are said to have appeared since October 30.
Trainer “iluvugoldenblue”, who appears to be located in New Zealand, reports about 40 new gyms in his city that are said to have appeared after a major map sync. Others explain that they were able to watch in real-time as stops transformed into gyms right before their eyes. Conveniently, especially since it is currently raid weekend.
However, this new emergence of gyms does not seem to affect all areas at once. Some players report that nothing has changed in their locations.
Nevertheless, the new gyms are causing confusion. Apparently, the new gyms do not always adhere to the established rules of where gyms can appear.
Players speak of “new rules” for gyms – Is this intentional?
How gyms normally operate: To determine where gyms appear in Pokémon GO, the game relies on so-called “S2 cells”. The predecessor game to Pokémon GO, “Ingress,” used this technique to divide the world into sections.
Relevant for the gyms are so-called “Level-14 cells.” Depending on how many PokéStops are in a cell, gyms can also appear. So far, the rules have been:
- In a Level-14 cell with two stops, one becomes a gym.
- With 6 POIs like stops and gyms, the next gym appears.
- With 20 stops and gyms in a cell, a third gym is added.
This is what trainers say now: As players report, the new gyms do not seem to adhere to these rules. Thus, there are sometimes fewer PokéStops per cell, yet more gyms – which should not be the case according to previous principles.
For instance, there are now also secondary gyms in cells that only have 5 POIs like stops and gyms. Another cell has 11 POIs but already three gyms – although typically 20 POIs are needed.
Overall, the new gyms are a source of joy for the trainers. After all, having additional gyms in the area provides more chances to earn coins or complete raids.
At the same time, however, there is still confusion surrounding the gyms, which apparently do not follow the known pattern: “I will reserve my judgment until we find out whether it is a feature or a bug. But if they lowered the 20 POIs for a third gym to 11, then that is really something,” writes Trainer “dark__tyranitar” (via reddit).
As soon as more information about the new situation is available, we will keep you updated here at MeinMMO.
Have you also found new gyms in your area? Or is everything still the same for you? Let us know in the comments!
