On April 6, changes to remote raids and raids will be activated in Pokémon GO. These changes are a reason for many players to uninstall the game.
What are these changes? Remote raids have been possible in Pokémon GO for years. They differ from the “normal” raids in that you do not have to be within a certain radius of the raid arena to participate. You can join raids with a remote raid pass from anywhere in the world.
However, Niantic wants players to participate more in in-person raids and meet other players. Therefore, they are implementing changes to remote raids. They are making them more expensive and limiting participation per day.
Changes from April 6, 2023 for remote raids
When do the changes take effect? The changes will be active from April 6 at 8:00 PM.
What exactly happens?
- Prices:
- The price for three remote raid passes will increase from 300 PokéCoins to 525 PokéCoins
- The price for a single remote raid pass will increase from 100 PokéCoins to 195 PokéCoins
- A bundle of three premium battle passes will be new in the shop for 250 PokéCoins (a single one currently costs 100 PokéCoins)
- Remote raids were made more expensive once in May 2022
- Participation:
- You can participate in a maximum of 5 remote raid battles per day
- This limitation can be changed and increased during events
- Remote raid passes:
- You can receive remote raid passes as a reward in research breakthroughs (chances are unknown)
- The limit of 3 passes per trainer in the inventory still applies for remote raid passes from research breakthroughs
- If you already own 3 remote raid passes and would receive another through a research breakthrough, you will instead get a premium battle pass
- If you already have 2 remote raid passes in your inventory and then buy a bundle of 3, you can still own a maximum of 5 remote raid passes
- XL candies:
- You will receive more XL candies for participating in 5-star raids than before
The reasoning from Niantic for these changes can be seen here.
How are players reacting to the changes?
This is being commented on: There are some trainers who are indifferent to the changes. Since they hardly participate in remote raids, they do not feel affected.
Many other trainers, whether directly affected or not, disagree with the changes. They find it outrageous to make remote raids worse. Because these have made it easier for people who have difficulty participating in in-person raids to play Pokémon GO. This includes people with disabilities or players who, due to their work or children, have no time to participate in raids during the day.
The community is outright angry about the changes.
There are threats to delete the game due to these changes. A petition against these changes already has over 68,000 participants (as of April 5 at 8:27 AM via Change.org).
The latest major development in the community is an open letter under the motto “Listen to us, Niantic.” Players and content creators are coming together to explain to Niantic why they are against the changes. The letter explains, among other things, that they would prefer to improve in-person raids rather than worsen remote raids.
You can see the full content of the open letter to the Pokémon GO team here
