Since the first days of Pokemon GO, cheating has been an issue in the game. Because the mobile AR experience wants players to travel to different physical locations for raids or spawns, many players have tried to exploit the game by using GPS spoofing to appear at different spots on the map without actually traveling to them. This is a major no-no according to Niantic.
One of the most complicated aspects of punishment in Pokemon GO has always been the lack of communication. Players could be shadow banned and never even realize it. Niantic has gotten much better about communicating in general (in terms of new features and events) and it seems that the company is now ready to start opening up about its policy for cheaters, as well.
The new policy is a three strike system that will notify users when they make offenses, in the hopes of scaring them away from breaking the terms and conditions again. If they are busted three times, then the account is permanently banned.
Here are some of the details...
Strike 1: Warning
Disciplinary actions
If this strike is issued, you will see a warning message within the Pokémon GO app informing you that we have detected cheating on your account.
In addition to this warning, your gameplay experience may be degraded in the following ways for the duration of the warning:
You may not be able to encounter rare Pokémon in the wild. These Pokémon may not appear on the map or on the Nearby Pokémon tracker.
You may be excluded from receiving new EX Raid Passes.
Duration:
This strike will last for approximately 7 days. After this period, your gameplay experience will fully be restored.
Strike 2: Suspension
Disciplinary actions
If your account is issued a second strike, you will temporarily lose access to your Pokémon GO account. When attempting to log into the game, you’ll be presented with a message stating that your account is suspended. You will not be able to bypass this message.
Duration:
This strike will last for approximately 30 days. After that period, your account access will be restored.
Strike 3: Termination
Disciplinary actions
If you receive the first and second strikes and continue to cheat, your account will be permanently banned.
Duration:
Permanent
Permanently losing an account could be a major blow, so that second strike should really scare users away from making the same mistake again.
As long as the system doesn't accidentally punish the wrong people, it sounds like a great thing for the game and its community. This will make it a more even playing field and force users to play fair and square.
We'll keep an eye on the system going forward and report back if there are any major changes or issues. Until then, good luck out there, trainers!
Pokemon GO is currently available in select regions for Android and iOS devices.