The prices in the shop of Pokémon GO have increased. Those who want to buy coins now have to reach deeper into their pockets. But who is to blame?
The AR game Pokémon GO offers players the opportunity to purchase items such as Poké Balls, bag upgrades, or Lucky Eggs in the in-game shop. You buy these items with a currency called PokéCoins.
Those who want to buy coins have to pay more money now. Players accuse Niantic of greed. But is Niantic really to blame for these price increases, or is there something else going on?
Prices in the shop have risen
Some users have noticed changes within the Pokémon GO store in recent days. For the largest coin package, you now have to pay €10 more than before. We show you the before-and-after prices in comparison:
- 100 PokéCoins: Previously €0.99 – Now €1.09
- 550 PokéCoins: Previously €4.99 – Now €5.49
- 1200 PokéCoins: Previously €9.99 – Now €10.99
- 2500 PokéCoins: Previously €19.99 – Now €21.99
- 5200 PokéCoins: Previously €39.99 – Now €43.99
- 14500 PokéCoins: Previously €99.99 – Now €109.99
However, you don’t have to spend “real money” to get coins. There is a second option using game mechanics: Those who control gyms will be rewarded with PokéCoins in the game.
It’s the exchange rates to blame
In an email, Apple informed developers that app store prices would increase for Mexico, Denmark, and countries that use the Euro currency. According to MacRumors, price changes are expected to be implemented by the end of this week.
Apple cites changed exchange rates as the reason for the price adjustments. Due to these rates, the price tiers for apps and in-app purchases are adjusted. Subscriptions with automatic renewal are reportedly not affected by the changes and will retain the same price.
Prices may change again
There are now new price tiers that app developers can use. As reported by Macerkopf, developers can also set “alternative tiers” to offer apps in the store at lower prices.
We might see changes from Niantic in the coming days or weeks that adjust the prices again. The “old” prices were likely deliberately set to make them seem “cheaper”: €0.99 instead of €1.00 and also €9.99 instead of €10.00 – these prices are often used because they appear more appealing to customers.
With the new prices such as €1.09 or €10.99, the offers appear less appealing. Additionally, buyers of credit cards now have to organize themselves differently with these prices. Whether Niantic will actually make further changes to the prices remains unclear at this time.
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