In the German community for Pokémon GO, one name is especially well known: Daniel “Spieletrend” Schilling. The Austrian regularly provides his viewers on YouTube with new information and recently spoke in an interview with MeinMMO about the current development of Pokémon GO.
Who is Spieletrend? In the German-speaking area, there is no YouTuber dedicated to Pokémon GO who is anywhere near as big as Spieletrend. Since its release in 2016, the YouTuber has uploaded a video about the AR game almost every day.
Currently, Spieletrend has 359,000 subscribers and has uploaded over 1,600 videos on Pokémon GO. He is considered a voice and expert in the German community and is even a Niantic partner, so he always maintains direct contact with the developers.
We from MeinMMO had a Discord conversation with Daniel Schilling about Pokémon GO. The discussion revolved around the motivation for the game, the current development of Pokémon GO, and his own path on YouTube.
“I have never experienced such a hype before”
MeinMMO: Hello Daniel, first of all, let’s talk about your journey on YouTube. You didn’t originally start with Pokémon GO, but also reported on MMORPGs. Then, in 2016, Pokémon GO was added and at some point, you only showed Pokémon GO on your channel. Why did you make that switch and focus solely on Pokémon GO?
Spieletrend: Exactly, that’s correct. I started YouTube about 10 years ago – completely in the free-to-play world. The concept of MeinMMO was pretty similar to my concept. The free-to-play games, MMOs, and then Pokémon GO came out. It just fit: free-to-play, an app, mobile games were on the rise anyway. I thought I’d give it a try.
In about 6-7 years on YouTube, I grew my subscriber count to 100,000. Then Pokémon GO came, and I have never experienced such hype. You know what happened with Pokémon GO in 2016. And then, on YouTube with the clicks, it was just overwhelming for me.
I didn’t do it for the clicks, but when you compare it: a video on Pokémon GO with 50,000 clicks or a browser game with 2,500 clicks and people think, “Hey, just do Pokémon GO, that’s what we all want to see,” then I’d definitely rather make a video on Pokémon GO.
Additionally, the gaming world changed a bit during that time. There was a period when a new MMO was released every few weeks, and now that’s different. That’s why I stayed with Pokémon GO.
MeinMMO: If you summarize everything now, including the hype in 2016, what does Pokémon GO have for you that other games do not?
Spieletrend: Clearly the AR aspect, that is, going outside. I have been self-employed for as long as I can remember, and you have to sit in front of the computer all day, writing articles, playing games. For Pokémon GO, I had to go outside, there was no way around it. That was such a positive boost for my business. It was killing two birds with one stone: I can work but also be outdoors at the same time.
MeinMMO: You are the largest YouTuber for Pokémon GO in the German-speaking area, so you have already achieved a lot. What is in store for you and your channel in the future?
Spieletrend: Yes, that’s a good question that I’ve asked myself often. I am the largest German-speaking channel because there are hardly any competitors. Many stopped after the hype in 2016, but I stayed on the ball.
My goal is to continue informing the community and not to let them down. I want to maintain my connection to the community and not lose it. However, I never have goals concerning numbers. Currently, I often have 60,000 clicks per video, but I would be more than satisfied with 15,000 clicks.
MeinMMO: Let’s look beyond Pokémon GO for a moment. It might not be around forever. Have you thought about what will happen when Pokémon GO is no longer available?
Spieletrend: Yes, quite often. Especially at the end of the year when I reflect on it. I always ask myself whether it can go this well for another year, but so far it has continued every year.
But I also have to take off the rose-colored glasses. Especially in 2020, Niantic showed that if they make a few wrong turns, things can go downhill quickly. Luckily, in my opinion, they managed to get back on track, but I’m aware that it can go downhill completely within a few weeks.
Because of that, I have already set up a few other legs to stand on and would definitely not end up on the street if Pokémon GO were to decline.
“The past year has been a complete rollercoaster”
MeinMMO: You just mentioned that Niantic made some critical decisions during the pandemic. I can completely agree, I was even bored at times. How did you feel about it?
Spieletrend: I find the pandemic period really interesting. The past year has been a complete rollercoaster for Niantic and Pokémon GO. When Corona was not taken seriously here yet, Niantic, and I must really praise them, reacted extremely quickly. 30 incense for all players for free, increased PokéStop range, and numerous other bonuses. They immediately started programming remote raids.
I was really glad about that because I’m not a virologist and didn’t know how to deal with [the situation]. I have many viewers who see me as a role model. If I continue to go outside now, that’s not necessarily the best thing I can do.
During this time, things became tricky again. Suddenly, the bonuses disappeared, even though we were still in the middle of a pandemic, then there were a few critical events, such as the issue with shiny Kapuno, there were more and more paid passes, for a Pantifrost you had to pay 9 euros, and much more. It was an emotional rollercoaster, and sometimes I had to consider how the journey would continue.
But right now, I think Niantic has gotten back on track again. They have also, extended the lockdown bonuses by half a year. I can understand the criticism, like the mood surrounding the paid events. A few too many events, I have to say, and people don’t really understand them anymore. But at the moment, I’m basically satisfied.
MeinMMO: I still see numerous repetitions happening right now. For example, the Community Days don’t excite me anymore. I just miss useful monsters, instead, I get them from eggs and even on Community Days, there are repetitions. How do you see that?
Spieletrend: I can understand both sides here. Especially recently with Dartiri: The shiny was new, but the attack was useless. Some Pokémon have completely repeated, like Glumanda. Of course, Kapuno or Kaumalat would be candidates for Community Days at some point, but I also have to look at the other side.
I am quite sure that Pokémon GO is intentionally withholding the good things, which is why there are so many repetitions. Because in so many countries, the lockdown is still in place, and you can’t really go outside. A Community Day with Kaumalat will definitely come as soon as the situation calms down and you can enjoy Pokémon GO again to the fullest. I do believe that some people underestimate that who criticize this.
MeinMMO: What motivates you right now to go out and play Pokémon GO daily?
Spieletrend: I have to say that the “GO Beyond” update, which is the level expansion, was a completely new source of motivation for me. Just the fact of XL candies. I know there was also criticism because you only get them from level 40. But the fact that I can push all my Pokémon higher again, but have to put in something new for it motivates me. I was excited about every Pokémon I caught a thousand times in the past. I just wanted to have the XL candies.
MeinMMO: Do you think that the hype surrounding the update will also last for you in the coming months?
Spieletrend: That’s a good point. The hype is slowly dying down when you already have many XL candies. I’ve also already reached level 50, so there’s no newness anymore. But, overall, a new basic motivation remains.
Another factor, where I am rather in the minority: the PvP mode. Every time a new event announcement comes, I think to myself: “Which Pokémon do I need for PvP?” There are also the daily sets that I play. So PvP is an additional motivation I have.
MeinMMO: Let’s stick to the PvP mode. You say that this doesn’t motivate all players. But what is the appeal for you and why should everyone try it?
Spieletrend: When we look at Pokémon in its essence, it’s about that. “I want to be the very best, like no one ever was.” This is measured by earning badges in gyms and fighting against other trainers. It’s about battling.
Of course, in Pokémon GO, you have Team GO Rocket and raids in the gyms for battling. But the aim is to fight and win against all other trainers in the world. That’s exactly what makes the PvP appealing to me, and exactly what players have been waiting for for years.
If you look at Niantic’s approach, it also presents a clear picture. All attacks from the community days are designed for PvP, and many events and updates have the PvP mode in mind. I find it difficult that they are rubbing it in people’s faces a bit, but I do believe that it is Niantic’s ultimate vision to make PvP bigger.
However, I can’t provide anyone who hasn’t played PvP with reasons why they should start. It’s a bit like soccer and basketball. Just because someone likes soccer doesn’t mean they must be a basketball fan. It’s a completely different game within the game. If someone doesn’t like it, then that’s how it is.
There is also a league where you can rise in ranks and compete against increasingly better trainers. However, the league is often controversial as many bugs cause problems in battles.
Niantic’s communication is extremely important
MeinMMO: Lastly, a look at the future of Pokémon GO. What do you wish for from the game, and what do you think could still come?
Spieletrend: That’s an interesting question. I have to admit that I’ve been surprised so often in the past by Pokémon GO that I exclude nothing anymore. For example, I never thought that mega evolutions would come into the game.
If you think about what other large features exist in the Pokémon world that we don’t have in Pokémon GO yet, it’s breeding. That could come and surely provide some long-term motivation. I wouldn’t rule anything out anymore.
There is still so much in the Pokémon world, like thousands of different berries that still don’t exist. Or balls and other items.
If I could wish for one thing: what is extremely important to me is Niantic’s communication. Mistakes happen, even if trainers have spent money on it, but then they must react quickly and communicate: “Hey, the shiny rate was broken in the first hour, and here’s some compensation.”
If Niantic doesn’t communicate and then I’m a bit caught between the community and Niantic, that’s difficult. I prefer it when Niantic communicates clearly when something goes wrong. But they are currently on the right path.
MeinMMO: Communication is definitely a point of contention. Transparency is repeatedly demanded, “How likely is a shiny?” or “What exactly is in the eggs?” Eggs are even compared to loot boxes. Do you wish for something like that as well?
Spieletrend: That’s a topic that has existed since day one in Pokémon GO. Niantic has never stated which Pokémon appear where and with what probability. Various communities have summarized that up to now.
If Niantic would simply upload that somewhere in a wiki, the discovery aspect of Pokémon GO would be lost. On the other hand, items in comparison with loot boxes from other games is a sensitive issue. If they reduce the chances and introduce a shiny while advertising it, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to be a bit more transparent and simply state that it is ultra-rare. So yes, in this regard, there can never be enough transparency.
MeinMMO: Thank you very much for your time and the interview!
Do you want to see more YouTubers on Pokémon GO? Then check out our big list of the most successful YouTubers on Pokémon GO:
