Pokémon GO made some changes to the gameplay to make playing easier during Corona. Our editor Patrick Freese likes these changes so much that he prefers to keep them.
What’s going on in Pokémon GO? In times of Corona, the mobile game Pokémon GO, which is meant to encourage players to go outside, had to quite a bit of a makeover.
In many areas, developers implemented this strongly. I especially feel this in the village. Here, where PokéStops and Gyms are scarce, these changes are noticeable and I’ve quickly gotten used to them.
Suddenly, I’m filled with a whole new joy of gaming and my motivation climbs.
Many of these features I don’t want to miss anymore. I hope they stay in the game. Even when the Corona measures are relaxed. Just recently, the in-game bonuses were extended for the month of June.
I really like these changes
This has been changed: Some areas of Pokémon GO have been adjusted, to make it easier to play from home. These changes include:
- More Pokémon spawn in the wild
- Regular bundles for only one PokéCoin with helpful items like incense or balls
- Gifts are more frequent from Stops
- Eggs now require only half the distance to hatch
- Incense lasts one hour instead of 30 minutes
- Incense attracts Pokémon more frequently
- More space for gifts in the inventory
- Buddy Pokémon frequently bring gifts
- Raids work remotely with remote raid passes
- The Battle League skips the kilometer requirement
There are some changes that I especially like.
Buddies bring me gifts and I have space for them
What’s happening? In the inventory, Pokémon GO players normally have only 10 slots for gifts. This has been increased to 20. Additionally, Buddy Pokémon now regularly come out from PokéStops to bring gifts.
I then send these gifts to friends, raise my friendship level with them, and receive gifts back as thanks. How to find friends in Pokémon GO, you can see here.
Why is this so good? During the time when you shouldn’t go out much, it’s helpful that buddy Pokémon visit the stops. This fills up the inventory without me having to visit many PokéStops myself. This is especially helpful during Corona, but also in the village where there are only a few stops.
In my immediate area, there is exactly one stop that I can reach quickly. To receive a gift there, I have to spin the stop, wait for the 5-minute cooldown, then spin again, and keep doing so.
My buddy, on the other hand, brings me 5 to 10 gifts at a time. This is convenient and less bothersome than scouring the stops. This feature can stay forever to support players with few stops in the area.
Improved incense – many, many spawns
What’s happening? Incense now attracts Pokémon more frequently and lasts twice as long as normal. Trainers use this item to lure additional Pokémon to themselves, in addition to the wild spawns.
Why is this so good? In my village, the Pokémon spawns were poor. If I wasn’t currently at a PokéStop, not much happened in the wild.
With the help of incense, at least a few more spawns came. But now, after the changes, when I light incense, a much higher number of Pokémon are expected to be attracted.
Together with event bonuses, like triple experience points for catching Pokémon during the Community Day with Samurzel or more stardust or candy for catching Pokémon, this incense is now actually quite effective.
Right here in the village, where the spawns, away from stops, are really low, this is a big help.
More gifts to open and more balls to get
What’s happening? Normally, you can open 20 gifts per day. This limit has now been raised to 30. Additionally, the developers at Niantic ensured that more Poké Balls come from these gifts.
Why is this so good? With the many new Pokémon spawns combined with the enhanced incense, I now have a greater focus on catching Pokémon. The depletion of balls to catch Pokémon is therefore noticeable.
Especially when I play with the GO Plus during events, the supply of Poké Balls is quickly used up.
If I then get supplied with Poké Balls from the gifts of my friends – and that’s a lot of balls with 30 gifts – I can comfortably keep playing without having to visit PokéStops to get more.
In my opinion, the changes from the Corona period can gladly be kept. This sentiment is also often echoed by many trainers in the Pokémon community of MeinMMO.
Which changes do you particularly like and would you like to keep them forever? Or do you think Pokémon GO is becoming too convenient because of this?
Now I am already looking forward to the Community Day in June. Because in the voting, Hornliu won and will come into the spotlight during that time. I won’t say no to Shiny-Bibor!
