Posted in: Games, Mobile Games, Niantic, Pokémon GO | Tagged: HearUsNiantic, Niantic, Niantic Labs, pokemon, pokemon go

Niantic "Hears Us": Pandemic Bonus Made Permanent In Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO players won't have to wait until September 1st to hear Niantic's verdict on the PokéStop distance. They have now given their official answer to the #HearUsNiantic movement and Pokémon GO boycott that followed their decision to pull back the pandemic bonuses including the increased PokéStop distance. Let's see what the verdict is.

Niantic took to the official Pokémon GO Twitter account to announce the news:

Trainers – we're looking forward to sharing our plans as a result of the task force on September 1, but one thing does not have to wait! From now on, 80 meters will be the base interaction radius for PokéStops and Gyms globally.

Thank you to everyone who made your voices heard. We've heard you and understand that this has been a welcome benefit to many players. We'll share more next week.

In another demonstration of the company listening to feedback, Niantic posted the news as a push notification in Pokémon GO that came to players when the game was opened. I personally was glad to see this, as I think the biggest issue has been the way communication of important information happens in odd places. Not everyone has Twitter, and it's good to see Niantic acknowledge that.

To me, this comes down to leaders like ZöeTwoDots taking charge and speaking for the community at a time when playing the game itself seemed to be a divisive thing to do. There was a lot of toxicity during the #HearUsNiantic campaign aimed not only at Niantic's social media managers but also at content creators associated with the game and even regular players who didn't want to participate in a boycott. It is thanks to positive voices like Zoe's and like The Trainer Club that something like this was able to happen. And, it must be said, it's thanks to Niantic Labs for listening.

Many players assumed very dark intentions of Niantic, claiming that they didn't care about their fanbase. I'm glad to see those proven wrong. Niantic did hear you and the results are positive.

Now, let's play Pokémon GO.

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