In Pokémon GO the remote raids are now even more expensive. Additionally, there are further adjustments to these raid passes. We show you the changes and how the community reacts.
Why are there changes? On the evening of March 30, 2023, Niantic announced in a new blog post that there will be changes to remote raid passes. This is justified by the intention to “balance the game mechanics” and to ensure that “you will continue to enjoy the game in the future”.
In the community, some players can hardly believe their eyes when they look at the changes and then compare them with the justification. Because remote raids are now getting even more expensive and are limited per day.
Changes to Remote Raids, Raids, and Passes in Pokémon GO
These are the changes: We will show you all the adjustments that Niantic is making to remote raids and raids. They will be active from April 6 at 8:00 PM German time!
Price Increase
- 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 new bundle of three premium battle passes will be available in the shop for 250 PokéCoins (a single one currently costs 100 PokéCoins)
- The remote raids were already made more expensive in May 2022
Participation Limit
- You can participate in a maximum of 5 remote raid battles per day
- During events, this limitation can be changed and increased
Remote Raid Passes
- You can receive remote raid passes as rewards in research breakthroughs (the chances are unknown)
- For remote raid passes from research breakthroughs, the limit of 3 passes per trainer in inventory still applies
- If you already have 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 3-pack, you can still own a maximum of 5 remote raid passes
XL Candy
- You will receive more XL Candy for participating in 5-person raids than before
In February there were already leaks about upcoming changes to remote raids.
Statement from Niantic
What does Niantic say about this? In the blog post, the developers explain that the remote raids did not go as they originally planned. Instead, they now want to create incentives to raid in person with other players. These changes have not been made lightly.
Since their introduction in 2020, remote raid passes have shaped the game mechanics of Pokémon GO in a way that we did not intend. By rewarding with additional XL Candy and other new features, we want to create even more incentives to play Pokémon GO in person with your friends, family members, and the community.
Remote raid passes will continue to be available in Pokémon GO. However, we believe that the change made is necessary for the long-term development of the game, and we do not make this decision lightly. We believe that this is an important step towards our goal of ensuring and improving the unique gameplay experience of Pokémon GO – a game that we hope you will still enjoy for a long time in the future.
Niantic
“The worst changes in the history of the game”
This is what the community says about it: The news about the changes to raids and remote raids quickly spread among players of Pokémon GO. With over 2,400 comments, it is on March 31 at 07:53 AM by far the most discussed thread in the Reddit of TheSilphRoad. To put it mildly, the trainers are really angry. Niantic is accused of having completely lost touch with the community.
Trainer HeroTheyCallMe1 writes “One of the worst changes in the history of the game” and is promptly corrected by another user who says that it is most likely the worst changes.
User CskoGO questions Niantic’s explanation: “Change ‘is necessary for the long-term development of the game.’ Uhh I think that people stopping playing the game is bad for the long-term development of the game.”
Additionally, SparklyEarlAv32 writes: “Worse is the price of 195 [PokéCoins] for a raid pass. That’s 4 days for a pass assuming that you earn the 50 coins per day without any issues. Essentially: If you don’t have an active community that raids locally often, [you’re out of luck]. How is this supposed to be good for the long-term development of the game? I don’t understand it.”
Now it’s your turn: Participate in our survey and tell us if you want to change your behavior when purchasing remote raid passes after the changes:
Many users are complaining about the new prices and stating that they no longer want to buy the passes. “525 for a three-pack? Go away!” it says in the comments.
Others advise a boycott of pass purchases: “And that is the last cent that EVERYONE should have invested in the game. The end. No whale or casual should decide to buy anything until these changes are 100% reverted. What a shame.”
Feel free to share your opinion about these changes here on MeinMMO in the comments and discuss it with other players.
