Pokemon Go players have taken to social media to get Niantic to change course on a plan the developer has to remove the extended range feature from the AR game. This feature was introduced last year to help players keep up with Pokemon Go from the safety of their homes.
In an open letter from the huge Pokemon Go community, r/SilphRoad, players are reaching out directly to Niantic asking them to keep the extended range feature, particularly as the new Delta variant of COVID-19 begins to spread across the world.
“Dear Niantic, Community and Creators alike wish to voice our concern and disappointment over recent changes to the Pokestop interaction radius reduction in Pokemon Go,” the letter begins. “While the Pokestop/POI interaction radius was increased due to an unprecedented global pandemic, the flow on effects of this in-game change have had a far greater positive impact on the community.”
Dear @NianticLabs @PokemonGoApp @johnhanke @Pokemon,
The Pokémon GO Community has been waiting patiently for an answer in the last few days, but sadly, many trainers have walked away. We seek your attention & respond as the Community really needs it now.#HearUsNiantic #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/mpcJtJI9Jo
— BrandonTan91 #HearUsNiantic (@brandontan91) August 5, 2021
Beyond just being able to play from home, the players cite the increased radius’ other benefits such as road safety, and particularly accessibility for disabled players as reasons this change should be reinstated.
On Twitter, prominent players are using the hashtag #HearUsNiantic as a way to get the developer’s attention.
I'm going to set aside my opinion here and share a concern from the community. Although Niantic touts its community as one of its biggest strengths, they haven't done as much as acknowledge us on this matter.
So, @NianticLabs, I ask you to hear us out. #HearUsNiantic pic.twitter.com/ABR11bG7A8
— Leek Duck (@LeekDuck) August 5, 2021
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit last year, Pokemon Go and other AR games, which required players to freely walk about to play, were some of the hardest hit. IGN spoke with many Pokemon Go players at the onset of the pandemic to hear how it impacted one of their favorite games.
So far, Niantic has not responded on any of its public channels, but IGN has reached out for comment.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor.