Pokémon GO
Next month there will be another large community day in the mobile game Pokémon GO. So that you can prepare for this event, we present you the most important details at this point. In this way you know exactly what to expect and what special features to expect.The starting signal for the next Pokémon GO Community Day will be on July 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. German time - that is already on the first Saturday of the next month. As usual, the event will last a total of six hours, so you can take part until 5:00 p.m. This time the focus is on the Pokémon called Floink, which you will encounter in the wild more often than is normally the case. Incidentally, if you develop such a Pokémon to the last level during the event, it will learn the "Fire Cannonade" charge attack. An exclusive event package is also available for purchase in the in-game shop for 1,280 Poké coins, which includes 50 hyperballs, 5 smoke, 5 star pieces and a top-loading TM. You can also purchase the special research "Roasted Nuts", which is available for a limited time, for one euro. There are also some bonuses that will be active during Community Day. Here is an overview:
triple catch stardust smoke lasts for three hours during the event Lock modules last for three hours during the event This is by the way not the only big event of Pokémon GO next month. The big GO Fest will take place until July 18, 2021.
Source: Niantic
Pokémon Go Changes Spark Community Backlash
The Pokémon Go community is currently expressing anger at developer Niantic, in response to announced plans to roll back changes implemented into the game due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes, which increased the real-world distance across which players could interact with in-game elements to aid with social distancing, were well received by the community and they don’t want to see them removed.
Niantic announced the changes coming to Pokémon Go on June 21, which include the reduction of PokéStop and Gym interaction distances. These will be reset to the distances they were pre-pandemic. Additionally, during the pandemic Incense effectiveness was also increased, which allowed Pokémon to be attracted to your location and thus allow catching from home. The upcoming changes will reset this to the original standard effectiveness, but also provide a bonus for those moving.
The announcement of these changes have upset the Pokémon Go community, as the pandemic-response alterations to the game made it more accessible to its players.
“I’ve known people who have been very grateful for the increased interaction range,” wrote Gabirele Russo, who has started a petition on Change.org. “People with physical disabilities were able to interact with PokéStops and Gyms that they were unable to before. The increase in the spawn rate of Incense also made it ten times better. Now people who had played more because of the special bonuses will no longer bea> able to play/won’t be as inclined to play. Less players = less money for Niantic, meaning that it would be a morally and financially bad decision to take away these bonuses.”
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Russo’s petition is the smallest of three petitions on Change.org aimed at Niantic. Collectively, they have over 72,000 signatures.
One of those petitions was created by a member of the Pokémon Go subreddit community, and currently has the lion's share of signatures at over 53,000. “Sign it to let Niantic know that they are breaking our trust by removing what they once said would be a permanent addition,” said user Amazon_UK.
There are several more reddit threads dedicated to the same topics, with theories as to why Niantic would do this and general complaints about the situation. It’s clear the community is not happy, and wants Niantic to listen to their concerns. If Niantic will respond remains to be seen.
In other Pokémon news, Pokémon Go Fest 2021 dates have been announced, there's a brand new Pikachu-themed jet plane, and the final Eevee evolution has arrived in Pokémon Go.
Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.