It looks like Niantic is up to no good again, especially for players that depend on items like the Remote Raid passes to enjoy one of the best parts of their favorite mobile collectathon. Springing into the collective mainframe back in 2016, Pokemon GO was a whirlwind when it was first released. Yes, it didn’t have anywhere near as many features as it has now, but being able to venture out into the real world and find your favorite digital companions hanging out at your local park with almost mindblowing back in the day.
However, earlier this year, Niantic started making a few changes to get players back out into the world after the COVID pandemic. With many of the lockdowns being lifted, it seems that they were interested in getting players to be social again, instead of using items like the Remote Raid Passes that let players battle powerful Pokemon from the comfort of their own homes. What they didn’t realize, though, is many players finally had the chance to enjoy the game it was meant to be played because of this particular item.
Why Are Remote Raid Passes Important?
For myself, I can hardly keep my attention on a mobile game. I’ll play them for a while, and eventually forget that they’re even on my cluttered device. Pokemon GO was one of the victims of this mentality, as I stopped playing for the longest time due to living in a rather rural and remote area. Once I married and moved to a slightly bigger town in 2019, I found myself itching to get back into the game, now that there was more than one Pokestop in my local area.
Related: Uh Oh… Looks Like Niantic May Limit Pokemon Go Remote Raids Soon
But, the community around me wasn’t super into the game, so it was still a rather solo-focused effort. That is, until 2020 happened and the world completely shifted course for a good period. The introduction of the Remote Raid Pass finally gave me the chance to connect with players that I’ve met in my travels, friends that lived far away, or even randoms that I had made friends with on sites like Twitter and Reddit. I was obsessed with Pokemon GO again, and Niantic had their claws in me since I was buying Remote Raid Passes like they were water.
Then, at the start of 2023, Niantic decided to raise the price of Remote Raid passes. A bundle of three quickly went from 300 Pokecoins, something that could be amassed rather quickly, up to 525 Pokecoins, which is almost double the original cost. Players were upset, but they still wanted to play their favorite game, but now it looks like Niantic is changing the rules for remote and rural players once again.
Remote Raid Shiny Odds Change For The Worst In Pokemon GO
Browsing through the r/PokemonGO subreddit, I came across a particular post that raised a few Red Flags for me. While already hacking away at an ever-fraying rope by changing the Remote Raid Pass prices, it seems that they’ve snuck in an extra little bit of punishment for players playing from home.
After looking through the comments, something alerted me. This isn’t even a new thing that has happened, rather, has been in place since the Kleavor Raids that happened back in May of this year. But, why wouldn’t Niantic tell players about this change? Is it because they wanted players to continue buying Remote Raid Passes for a chance to get a Shiny Legendary?
Related: How to Get the Master Ball in Pokemon GO
For context, the old rates were around 1/35, so this essentially makes Shiny Hunting for players that are utilizing the Remote Raid Passes almost useless. Costing well over a dollar a pop at this point, it seems the only reason that they would do something like this is to line their pockets even more. Pokemon GO has never been ashamed of its monetization practices, but this may be the final straw for a large handful of the players that are already teetering on the edge of uninstalling this title.
Is Niantic Trying To Kill Off Pokemon GO?
While it may feel like it, it doesn’t seem that the intention to kill off Pokemon GO is the true point here. It seems that Niantic is just doing whatever they can to get players back out in public, but for someone like me who would have to drive nearly 50 miles to get to the closest friend they have on their list, this may be my final ticket. While I’ve personally enjoyed my time with Pokemon GO, I’m finally starting to feel the burn, unless I just don’t want to try and capture any more Legendary Pokemon.
This could be something that they bounce back on in the future, depending on the backlash that they receive from fans and other players, but Niantic really isn’t known for changing their focus once they have set something in stone. Seeing other franchises spring to life under the Niantic label, only to be shut down years, if not months after their initial release is always interesting, but Pokemon fans have done everything they could to support this title for years. But with this new change, it may be enough for those, like me, that have been wondering why they’re still playing to keep pushing on with the title.
Related: Niantic is Ruining Pokemon GO Remote Raid Passes Because No Fun Allowed
Sure, Shiny Pokemon don’t have any combat differences; it’s literally just a different colored version of their favorite little creature. But to change things so drastically without letting players know does feel a bit iffy, and could result in a break of trust once again with players that have spent years of their lives forming it into what it is today.
It’s a shame to watch Niantic slowly dissolve a huge portion of their community, but maybe this is the sign we all need to finally give this game a break. I’ll miss raiding with my friends, coworkers, and other random players from across the globe, and I think it’s just about time I hang up my trainer hat and leave this one behind for good.
