Niantic is answering our very annoyed prayers.
When I first downloaded Pokémon GO and a Pidgey popped up on my bed with me, I was very excited to catch it. I was still pretty stoked on the second and third Pidgeys, but after a while, I felt like I was drowning in them. Many other players have shared my thoughts, and it looks like developer Niantic Labs has been listening. The latest update to Pokémon GO focuses on two major things: weeding out overpopulated Pokémon and adding daily bonuses.
Good bye, Pidgey…
We’re over Pidgeys. And Rattats and Zubats and a few other way-too-common Pokémon. Thankfully, with this update, we’ll see much less of these pesky Pokés. Spawn rates for these guys are going down, and they should be replaced by some Pokémon we’re not as used to seeing. It’s unclear exactly what Pokés will be taking their place. Most likely, it will vary by location.
Professor Willow has discovered that you may encounter other Pokémon where Pidgey, Rattata, and Zubat were previously more commonly found.
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) November 3, 2016
We’ll also see less common Pokémon when hatching eggs! Pidgeys and Rattatas will no longer hatch at all, and Eevees will only hatch from 5km eggs!
And Hello, Daily Bonuses!
It’s no secret that Pokémon GO’s audience has been dwindling as players grow bored of catching, hatching, and battling the same Pokémon. Another part of the update aims to keep players engaged by adding daily bonuses. This means you’ll receive extra XP and items for playing daily. You’ll get even more goodies by playing every day for a week straight. The details of the fun new daily bonuses are listed below, straight from Pokémon GO’s website.
Catching a Pokémon every day will earn the following bonus:
- 500 XP
- 600 Stardust
Catching a Pokémon every day for 7 days straight will earn the following larger bonus:
- 2,000 XP
- 2,400 Stardust
Visiting a PokéStop and spinning the Photo Disc every day will earn the following bonus:
- 500 XP
- A number of additional items
Visiting a PokéStop every day for 7 days straight will earn the following larger bonus:
- 2,000 XP
- A greater number of additional items
If you catch a Pokémon at any time on Tuesday local time, you’ll be eligible for the next daily bonus on Wednesday at 12 AM local time.
I think I’m ready to download this update and see what has replaced Pidgeys and Rattatas around me. What about you? Is this update making you interested in opening up Pokémon GO after some time away? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!
