Pokémon GO is hosting the Hoenn Tour in Las Vegas this weekend. However, the first day of the event has received a lot of criticism, as players faced issues.
What’s happening in Las Vegas? Yesterday, on February 18, 2023, the first day of the Hoenn Tour took place at “Sunset Park” in Las Vegas. For this event, a ticket had to be purchased and one had to be present on-site to utilize the bonuses.
The event is sold out, and today, on February 19, the second day will begin.
However, the first day apparently did not go as players had hoped: The event started on Saturday at 10:00 AM local time, which is 7:00 PM German time. Already then, the first complaints arose.
Trainers frustrated about Day 1 in Las Vegas – Niantic responds
This is what trainers report: In the subreddits for Pokémon GO and on Twitter, trainers shared their experiences from the event. The main problem: There were apparently severe log-in issues and lags.
Players were repeatedly unable to log in to the game to participate in the event, or the connection was interrupted. Other trainers reported being kicked out of or unable to join raids against Proto-Kyogre and Proto-Groudon.
Throughout the event period, trainers reported severe connection issues – which caused frustration among players. Especially those who had traveled to Las Vegas specifically to participate in the event, booked hotels, and similar arrangements (via reddit).
How does Niantic respond to the issues?
Through the official Pokémon GO account on Twitter, developer Niantic addressed the situation. The Pokémon GO team apologized for the problems and tried to explain how they happened. It seems that some trainers without tickets showed up, which was not expected:
“An additional 17,000 trainers without tickets came to the park, causing connection issues throughout the day,” the statement read: “This led to trainers experiencing interruptions in connection to raids, being unable to log in, and other gameplay issues.”
“We ask trainers without a ticket for Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas not to come to the park tomorrow, to ensure a smooth event for Sunday ticket holders and trainers who have the Sunday extra day add-on.”
Additionally, the Pokémon GO team stated in a blog post (via pokemongolive.com) that the Saturday event would be extended by three more hours and expanded to the rest of the city. It will then run until 10:00 PM local time and bonuses will also be unlocked across the rest of Las Vegas. Furthermore, trainers should receive three free raid passes and three free remote raid passes.
In the initial reactions (via Twitter), trainers have also expressed critical views on these adjustments, stating that this is not sufficient as compensation. Some suggest, for example, a replacement event as compensation.
At least in the past, there have been examples where such replacement events were held. However, so far nothing has been announced in this regard.
It remains to be seen how the second event day in Las Vegas will unfold. This will again start at 10:00 AM local time, which is 7:00 PM German time.
Next weekend, the rest of the world will also have its turn – then the worldwide Hoenn Tour in Pokémon GO will begin.
