It is widely known that players have expressed their strong opinions regarding Niantic’s modifications to Remote Raids. Due to the events of 2020, the ways in which players could engage with Pokemon Go were altered, and the changes were implemented to provide a solution for players to continue enjoying the game that holds a special place in their hearts.
However, in their 2023 update, Niantic stated that they would be limiting the number of Remote Raids players could join to just five, increasing the cost of Remote Raid passes, and prioritizing in-person events that encouraged people to go outside and play with others.
Despite various players voicing concerns about the changes, such as disabled and rural players who were previously able to enjoy the game now being at a disadvantage again, it appears that the changes have ultimately achieved their intended impact.
At Pokemon Go Fest Madrid 2024, Michael Steranka, the director of Pokemon Go, had a discussion with Dot Esports about the recent Remote Raid changes. When asked about the impact of these changes, Steranka responded, “We have seen the exact results that we were aiming for since implementing the change.”
Steranka informed Dot Esports that there has been a resurgence of in-person communities, with local groups coming back together after a long hiatus. These communities are experiencing a level of growth and success not seen since before the pandemic.
In a subsequent interview, Steranka elaborated on the difficulty of the changes, stating that they were “incredibly difficult”for him as well. However, he also acknowledged that the decision to move away from Remote Raids was ultimately the correct one. In addition, Steranka shared his thoughts on the current state of paid tickets, which can be found in this article.
The author of the interview, Adam Newell, posted the article on Reddit as well, and it has sparked a lively response. One individual commented on the suggestion that the changes to Remote Raid have rejuvenated in-person communities, stating, “My community has not experienced a revival. We are definitely raiding less frequently.”
One more comment mentioned, “Revived certain communities, leading to a significant increase in deaths…. My real-life community no longer exists. Interacting with people through remote means was my only option.”
Despite some negative comments, there were also those who supported the changes. One person shared their unpopular opinion, stating that the changes were beneficial for the community. They explained how the previous lack of in-person raids had improved, as now it was possible to arrange raids with at least a few people, especially during events.
While fans may not always agree with Niantic’s choices for Pokemon Go, it appears that the company is making an effort to keep the mobile game engaging and encourage players to discover and engage with their local communities to share their adventures.
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