Pokemon GO is a game that has improved greatly since its initial launch in 2016. Changes such as the addition of quest-like Research tasks and monthly Community Day events focused on specific Pokemon have received praise from the Pokemon GO player base. However, a new set of changes are shaping up to be far less popular with the game's fans.
In 2020, Pokemon GO rolled out a number of changes to allow players to still enjoy the game while complying with quarantine and social distance regulations put in place to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Players received daily Research tasks that rewarded them with PokeBalls, Berries, and other in-game items. Team GO Rocket opponents appeared in balloons flying overhead for those who could not visit PokeStops but wanted to challenge them. Additionally, the distance required to interact with PokeStops and Gyms was increased, allowing players to stay further away from crowded areas during the pandemic.
However, developer Niantic recently announced that, while some changes such as Remote Raids and Rocket Balloons would be remaining in the game, the PokeStop interaction distance would be decreased from 80 meters or 262 feet to 40 meters or 131 feet. On August 4, the change was rolled out in America and New Zealand, with plans to make the change in other regions over the next several weeks. Players and fans of the series took to Twitter using the hashtag #HearUsNiantic, requesting that the developer revert the spin distance to 80 meters and urging a temporary boycott of the game.
Shared alongside the hashtag is a letter to Niantic expressing the player base's concerns and frustrations with these changes to Pokemon GO. The letter points out that the larger interaction distance keeps players safer by allowing them to spin PokeStops without crossing dangerous streets or trespassing on private property. Other points include making Pokemon GO more accessible for disabled players and concerns regarding the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, which can infect vaccinated individuals.
The letter, which has gone viral on Twitter, also cites a blog post made by Niantic in November of 2020. In this post, the developer claims "Some of these changes will remain implemented for the foreseeable future, such as the ability to raid remotely, changes to the GO Battle League, and the increased distance at which you can spin Photo Discs at Gyms and PokeStops."
The letter ends with a call for Niantic to respond by August 9th, 2021. So far, no response from the developer has been forthcoming. Neither Niantic nor the official Pokemon GO Twitter account have said anything regarding the changes, with the Pokemon GO Twitter instead Tweeting regularly about the upcoming introduction of several Pokemon from Pokemon Sword and Shield to the game.
#HearUsNiantic quickly became one of Twitter's highest trending topics internationally - in some areas coming in second only behind singer Taylor Swift. Another hashtag, #PokemonNoDay, which encourages trainers to support a boycott of Pokemon GO, also reached trending status. This second hashtag also protests against Collection Challenge events, which have been unpopular with the game's player base.
Pokemon GO is currently available for Android and iOS devices.