Pokémon GO: Niantic makes Raid passes more expensive, popular box disappears

Corona is over, from now on it's back to business as usual - this slightly modified Stromberg saying could currently also apply to Pokémon GO, at least if you look at the latest changes to the game. Because Niantic is currently doing a lot to get trainers to play more with other local users.

No more long-distance Raid Pass in 1-PokéCoin boxes.

After the developers had already significantly weakened the effect of smoke recently, it now goes to the remote Raid Passes to the collar. As Niantic announced in an official blog post, from May 23, 2022, there will no longer be any boxes in the store that contain a Remote Raid Pass for the price of one PokéCoin.
Niantic wants players to meet up again more often to raid locally. Source: Niantic Live Game Director Michael Steranka explained this decision to Polygon's editorial team, saying,
"Our goal is to shift the balance back more towards the fun, personal raids
.
Sales and discounts are really powerful ways to show trainers what game loops to focus on at any given time. [...] We want to promote the 1-PokéCoin bundle to do just that in the future and use it to bring other gameplay types to the forefront. That's why we've increased the rewards [for trainers] who come together in person and tackle challenging raid encounters. [...]

This doesn't mean that long-distance raids will disappear as an option altogether. because we recognize the benefits they have for players. Our goal is to bring back the joy that can only be experienced in face-to-face raids, such as catching your first Lugia in an arena with your local friends. This change also doesn't mean that there won't be other ways to get free long-distance raid passes. However, it's our goal to deliver great value for the offers in the store for our events, and there's a chance that remote raid passes will be included in one of those bundles in the future."

Players to complete fewer long-distance raids

In concrete terms, this means that there will probably still be opportunities here and there in the future to get Remote Raid Passes without buying them directly in the store. However, because Niantic wants to focus on real raiding out in the field again, the developers are not only adjusting the free distribution of the Remote Raid Passes, but also their price in the store.

From now on, Remote Raid Passes in a bundle of three no longer cost 250 Pokécoins, but 300. This is in line with Niantic's strategy, as described by Steranka, to push certain content with special offers in the store - and to make others less (or more) attractive by increasing the price.

Pokémon Go: 7 key tips for Kapuno community day in June 2022

Pokémon Go: Spotlight hour today with Shiny Webarak and XP

By the way, Niantic also promises that players in rural regions will not be forgotten. They have previously benefited from long-distance raid passes and the improved smoke, and are now potentially left out in the cold. However, the developers want to counteract this by approving new arenas faster than before. Finally, we want to know from you: What do you think of the changes? Write us your opinion below in the comments!

Source: Niantic, Polygon (via My MMO)