Pokemon GO Decreases PokéStop And Gym Interaction Distances In North America And New Zealand, Sparking Outcry

Last year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Niantic decided to increase interaction distances for PokéStops and Gyms in Pokemon GO, so as to promote safety while still allowing players to play the game normally.

Today, Niantic has begun reversing these changes along with other bonuses that they implemented to handle the pandemic. These changes apply only to North America and New Zealand at the moment, and include the following:

Region-Specific Changes to Items, Features, and Bonuses

The below updates are being applied on a rolling basis to individual regions in accordance with recommendations from global health organizations. Currently, these changes are in effect for:

• New Zealand
• The United States

PokéStops and Gyms

• Gifts containing certain items that were previously brought to you by your Buddy Pokémon will be shifted to boosted supplies from spinning PokéStops and Gyms.
• Previously, PokéStop and Gym interaction distances were increased, to enable people to engage from further away. After this change the distance will revert back to the standard distance, although this may be increased during future events and as part of certain features.

Incense

• Previously, Incense effectiveness was universally boosted. After this change, Incense effectiveness is boosted only while moving; if you are stationary, Incense effectiveness is set at the standard level.

Gifts

• Previously, your Buddy Pokémon brought you more Gifts each day, up to five gifts at once and up to three times a day. After the change, the frequency of these gifts from Buddy Pokémon will be reduced.

As you may expect, this decision has been met with widespread opposition from the Pokemon community. This is due in part because the pandemic has yet to be fully resolved, and because many believe that the increased distances were helpful and not negatively impacting the game.

Although Niantic did say in its original announcement the distance may be increased again as part of “future events or certain features”, it remains to be seen whether they will move to address their players’ concerns regarding this issue. We will be sure to report back with more details as they come.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.