Pokémon GO is set to receive new features. The new routes could be particularly interesting. What’s in store?
Here’s what’s happening in Pokémon GO: Throughout the year Pokémon GO is expected to receive new features, and as part of the Summer Game Fest, developer Niantic has introduced some of them to various media.
The two features that are now more closely known are “routes” and “showcases”. Both are reportedly designed to encourage more outdoor play and exploration of locations. This aligns with previous statements from Niantic. However, the routes feature could be particularly interesting.
Here we take a closer look at the new feature.
What do routes in Pokémon GO bring?
What routes are expected to be: As Pokémon GO Hub and Dot Esports report, the routes will be content heavily shaped by the community.
They will operate as follows:
- Players choose an arena or a PokéStop
- From here, they can start a “route” – it can be any kind of walk
- This route will then be captured and recorded by Pokémon GO. It is completely free and not tied to stops.
- Then the route must end at a stop or an arena – it can also be the starting point.
- Trainers can then add descriptions, tags, and similar elements
Once the route is completed, it will be approved or rejected by Niantic. The developer hopes that this process will take a maximum of 24 hours per route after submission by the trainers.
If the route is accepted, other trainers will be able to find and follow it in the game.
What are the routes good for? They could be an exciting feature as they provide a very personal way for trainers to leave their mark in the game.
On one hand, they follow Niantic’s discovery vision: routes should allow players to showcase particularly cool spots in their area. Especially when one is new or visiting somewhere, this could be a nice way to explore the surroundings.
“Magical moments, secret gardens, hidden staircases, cool murals in backyards, [things] you wouldn’t know about if someone didn’t show you. With routes, you can share and access this knowledge by following in the footsteps of other trainers,” said Senior Producer Chad Jones to Dot Esports.
At the same time, routes are expected to bring rewards when completed. This applies whether one completes foreign or their own routes. There is talk of Pokémon spawns, XP rewards, and passive bonuses.
This could be particularly interesting for players in rural areas, as theoretically, one only needs a PokéStop or an arena to start their own route. If one develops it in their area, they could theoretically create their own reward paths.
However, it remains to be seen what the exact rewards will look like – just as with the release of the feature. Niantic has not yet provided a timeline for this.
What do you think of the new feature? Let us know in the comments!
Want to know what else is happening in Pokémon GO? Here you can find all events in June 2023 for Pokémon GO.
