Pokemon Go players will be able to raid from home, big changes coming to summer events
Pokemon Go players will soon witness some unprecedented changes to its gameplay as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Pokemon Go is one of the biggest social games. By its very nature, it encourages players to get together for Raids and go out exploring, two things you're not supposed to be doing right now.
In response, developer Niantic explained in a blog post how the team plans to handle the current crisis while keeping the game playable. The answer is by making fundamental changes to how Pokemon Go is played.
The developer wants to focus on the indoor experience part of its games. First, it will soon be possible to participate in Raid Battles in Pokemon Go from home, as part of the studio's commitment to "enhancing our in-game virtual social features."
Adventure Sync will be able to track in-door steps, such as when doing housework or working out at home. Niantic is working on making indoor tracking for Adventure Sync more accurate.
Separately, the developer is exploring ways to make it possible for players to "virtually visit and share memories about their favourite real-world places" when they can't leave their homes.
Perhaps the biggest change, however, is coming to the game's live events - such as Pokemen Go Fests. The developer will be "re-imagining" said events to allow players at home to participate. Unfortunately, Niantic had only the briefest details about how any of these will work, though it did promise to reveal more soon.
Not everything is on the horizon, however, as Pokemon Go recently received the Go Battle League feature. Battle Leagues can be played from home, and the developer reduced walking requirements to zero, and made Incense and Poke Balls cheaper.
Catch up on our biggest Pokemon Go guides, including the Egg chart and our ever-popular Eevee Evolution guide.