Yes, it is time. The world map of Pokémon GO is being revised. This will affect the visuals and also change the spawns of Pokémon at even more locations. What this means for you can be found here.
What kind of update is this? Pokémon GO is based on maps from the real world, to which it is linked. When you start the game, you will see streets, paths, and special locations that also exist “in real life” exactly at the places where you are located.
With this update, Pokémon GO is supposed to feel even more real and “merge more closely with reality,” explains the Niantic team in the new blog post. The new map is intended to make the real-world environment “recognizable” while playing Pokémon GO.
When is it coming? The update is expected to be implemented “in the coming weeks.” Whether it happens piece by piece or is related to a single large update is still unclear.
Visual changes in the map update
What is happening? With a visual overhaul, Niantic aims to ensure that the map in the game represents your real-world environment even more accurately. Non-existent or new streets are to be displayed correctly in the game. New buildings from the real world will also be added.
The last major map update of this detailed nature was already three years ago.
You will encounter Pokémon in more locations
What does this mean? The distribution and frequency of the Pokémon you find in the wild will be adjusted. Niantic explains that you will soon find the various Pokémon in more places than ever before.
In locations where there are already many spawns, there will not be more. Instead, they will be better distributed. As a result, Pokémon may appear in completely different areas on the map than before.
In rural areas and rapidly growing regions, it is possible that more Pokémon will appear in the wild due to the update.
How do you like the announcement of the map overhaul? Are there streets and paths in your playing area that are not displayed correctly and need an update? Are you looking forward to more spawns, especially in rural areas where the yield has been low so far?
