The differences in playing Pokémon GO between rural and urban areas can be quite significant. A trainer reports a shocking experience. What exactly happened to him is summarized here on MeinMMO.
Most trainers are now aware that there are ongoing differences in playing Pokémon GO between rural and urban areas. Affected players often find themselves at a disadvantage, especially during raids or special events.
How enormous these differences can actually be can be seen in a Reddit post by a trainer. We at MeinMMO show you what he experienced and how the community reacted to it.
Trainer from the countryside is completely shocked
What differences are there? Like most other rural players, the Reddit user -PM_ME_UR_SECRETS- knows the numerous limitations of playing Pokémon GO in such areas. Often, there is a lack of available PokéStops and gyms, making it hard for these players to participate in special events, like Community Days, raid days, or research days.
In addition, the local community is often very small or even non-existent. Many of them travel to larger cities on special event days to compensate for this disadvantage and secure the desired Pokémon.
-PM_ME_UR_SECRETS- happened to spend his last Community Day in Las Vegas by chance and was simply shocked by the extent of differences, which is why he felt the need to share this with the community.
This is what a rural player experienced: In the Pokémon GO subreddit, he posts a picture showcasing the mentioned event day. In it, you can see countless PokéStops, all equipped with lure modules, as well as a massive number of Fynx spawning around them. Additionally, there are 5 gyms nearby where raids are taking place.
It thus becomes clear that many trainers must be playing there. A sight that is likely the exception in most rural areas. -PM_ME_UR_SECRETS- illustrates this through a comparison image that shows nothing but yawning emptiness.
In the text, he explains (via Reddit.com): “I happened to be in Vegas during Community Day last weekend and couldn’t believe how lively the game was. Now I’m back home, and it’s just depressing to know how the game is meant to be and what I have to deal with.”
Players sympathize with the trainer: “I feel for you”
Trainers have had similar experiences: In the community, like-minded individuals can quickly be found who also confirm in the comments that they were shocked by this sight. They live in rural areas themselves and can understand the huge difference well. Some of them have even had to experience this stark contrast themselves (via Reddit.com):
- PedroPrisma: “I am one of the 10 players that my city has.”
- SvenTurb01: “We have one gym that was vacated about a week ago, completely empty. It has still not been taken over and just sits there, all gray and sad.”
- MC-Kirby: “Yeah, no kidding. I feel for you, buddy, I really do. I was not just in Tokyo during the Slowpoke CD in March, but also at the Pokémon Center in Tokyo. I literally couldn’t even see the map on my screen because dozens and dozens of Slowpoke were stacked all over the screen, and so many golden lure module PokéStops that I couldn’t even spin them all. But since I got back home in April? Dead. Nothing. Not a single PokéStop, not a single gym, and most of the time not even a single damn Hornliu for kilometers. It’s so damn depressing.”
- jjjunooo: “I feel that. I started playing when I lived in a small town, and I had to walk an hour to spin a PokéStop and visit 2 gyms and 4 PokéStops. I wouldn’t say it was completely rural, so it wasn’t as bad as some people’s experiences. Last year, I moved to a big city outside of the city center, and that’s a huge difference!!!”
By the way: In Pokémon GO, mobility can really pay off. Tell us in the following survey how many kilometers you walk per week:
Trainers want to help and give tips
This is what trainers recommend: In the comments, you can find not only trainers with similar experiences but also a range of tips. Users recommend that affected rural players apply for new PokéStops themselves.
For this, they currently only need trainer level 37 or higher to register at Wayfarer, the relevant page of Niantic. Alternatively, they could ask other trainers for help who have already achieved this level. This is what can be read (via Reddit.com):
- technodoki: “You can submit an application for PokéStops near you. I’ve heard they approve rural stops faster than urban ones.”
- Dentunam: “My town was also a ghost town. When I started playing Pokémon GO, we had maybe 1-2 gyms and 7-8 PokéStops. After I reached level 38 (before it was reduced to 37), I suggested everything. Now we have over 10 gyms and over 35 PokéStops. Grind friendship ASAP to level 37 and nominate everything!!”
This is what it can look like when you make the effort and submit a multitude of stops, as we will show you in the following post:
Trainers express criticism of suggestions: Many affected individuals find these tips in the comments rather unhelpful, as some have already tried them. The problem is mainly that there aren’t many approved locations to suggest for a new PokéStop.
Additionally, submitted applications are often rejected by the community over and over again. This makes it even more challenging for rural players to obtain new PokéStops and gyms (via Reddit.com):
- atomhypno: “I’ve been trying this since I hit level 37, but there’s hardly anything nearby that I can propose as a PokéStop.”
- RUN-PMT: “I have the same problem; around me, there’s nothing but forests and swamps. Honestly, I’m considering applying for something like ‘Community Dump’.”
- Qwopmaster01: “Reaching level 37 is not the problem; it’s getting stops approved in rural communities. Rural players are constantly denied legitimate PokéStops with reasons like ‘on a farm’ or ‘private property’. Some people just can’t grasp that a town or village exists unless a massive concrete slab appears on Google Maps. In the last year, over 20 PokéStops were approved in the city where I work, but not a single one in my rural village.”
However, there is another problem: Even if enough PokéStops and gyms are present, without the support of other trainers, they can hardly tackle the tough raids, such as the upcoming Crypto Raids with Mewtwo.
This additionally depresses rural trainers, as KntKoko explains on Reddit: “I have 2 of the 4 [accounts] in my town. I’ve placed my lowest monsters in my town’s gyms, and since then, they have remained untouched. And they expect me to be able to beat Crypto-Mewtwo.”
Whether these differences will change in the future remains to be seen. Should there be any new information about this, you will find it here on MeinMMO.
What are your experiences playing in urban and rural areas? Have you also noticed such extreme differences? Or are you even trying to apply for new PokéStops in your area? Feel free to let us know here on MeinMMO in the comments and exchange ideas with other trainers.
A 4-year-old is allowed to play Pokémon GO briefly, but his father immediately regrets it. We explain why.
