In Pokémon GO, trainers can catch monsters and spin PokéStops without constantly looking at their phones using a GO Plus device. Now, hints have been found that the gadget’s functionality might soon be improved. We at MeinMMO show you what users might look forward to in the future.
What is the GO Plus? The GO Plus is a gadget designed to make playing Pokémon GO easier. This small device can be connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing it to pair with the game.
It recognizes when you are near a PokéStop or a Pokémon and vibrates. Using a button on the device, you can trigger a catch attempt or spin the PokéStop without needing to take your smartphone in hand.
The Pokéminers, a group of data miners, have now found clues in the game code that there could be an improvement to the GO Plus in the future. We show you what it’s about.
However, all information from the data miners should be viewed with some skepticism. Even though most findings are indeed implemented in the game, they are not official information. Therefore, Niantic can adjust or even delete the data at any time.
What will be improved about the GO Plus?
As the Pokéminers announced in their release of their current finding on January 28, there are new details in the game code regarding the GO Plus. According to this, the functionality of automatic catching and spinning is being implemented. The source code looks like this (via pokeminers.com):
Autocatch
These features are expected to be available for both the GO Plus and the virtual Plus. The latter was discovered by the data miners in October in connection with a Plus simulator found in the game code. According to their assessments, it could be a paid service that will be established in the game in the future and has similar functionalities as the GO Plus (via pokeminers.com).
Why is the new function so good?
Until now, trainers had to press the button themselves to spin at PokéStops and catch Pokémon, even though they didn’t have to constantly look at their phones. However, attention is still focused on an external device, a point trainers have long criticized, as they wish for an automatic catch and spin mechanism.
That such functionality is fundamentally possible is demonstrated by the competing product, the Gotcha. This gadget, which is intended to bring the same benefit as the GO Plus, is already capable of spinning at PokéStops and catching Pokémon without requiring the trainer’s intervention.
Current options for Autocatch with the GO Plus: Some trainers have found another way to make the Autocatch work with the GO Plus already. They have modified the device accordingly.
Whether the introduction of such a new function will cause issues with these models is also a question raised by reddit user krmtdfrog (via reddit.com). However, an answer cannot be provided at this moment.
However, the implementation of this new function would fulfill a great desire for many trainers. Thus, all users of the GO Plus could finally enjoy not having to constantly pay attention to the vibration of their small companion to manually press the button. This should make catching easier in many situations.
Our MeinMMO editor Patrick Freese has noted during the GO Fest 2021 that catching with the GO Plus is not always helpful. He explains in the following article why he does not like the GO Plus gadgets.
Whether and when there will be an adjustment to the functionality of the GO Plus is not yet known. Should there be official information from Niantic, you will find out about it here at MeinMMO.
Do you use a gadget that helps you catch in Pokémon GO? Or do you only use your smartphone for playing? Do you find an automatic catch and spin function useful for the GO Plus? Feel free to share your opinion here on MeinMMO in the comments and engage with other trainers.
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