Pokemon GOis canceling its PokeCoin-rewards test in all countries after analyzing collected data and feedback. Developer Niantic is reversing course after making some experimental changes to the wayPokemon GOtrainers were able to earn PokeCoins.
The majority ofPokemon GOplayers probably haven’t heard of the testing, and for good reason. Initially, the game was testing only in Australia. ThePokemon GOtestwas later rolled out to only a few additional countries, including Germany, New Zealand, and Taiwan, before being canceled altogether. All involved countries will return to the original system next week.
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Niantic first announced its coin-earning experiment back in May. Australia became the experiment’s initial testing ground for the first few months.Pokemon GOexpanded to the other countries in August following positive reception, but has canceled the entire test as of today. The developers wanted to attempt to address trainers playing at home more by giving them more ways to earn coins. This was done in various ways, including using a berry, winning a raid andmaking an excellent throw. Previously, the only way to earn coins was to defend gyms, something made difficult because of ongoing pandemic restrictions.
The test also tinkered with the amount of coins trainers could earn on daily activities. For Australia, the reduced rate for trainers defending a gym was six coins per hour to two. 55 became the daily PokeCoin cap. The gym rate then went back up once the test expanded, this time limiting trainers to 50 coins a day: 30 from gyms, 20 for featured activities. This turned optional activities into a requirement if players wanted to continue earning the maximum daily amount. The August update also introduced Team GO Rocket-related tasks in addition to the daily activities trainers could complete. The participating countries will revert to the existing system on November 5, just beforePokemon GOAnimation Weekbegins.
It looks like it’ll be back to the drawing board for Niantic, given the sudden cancellation after what seemed like successful run. There were definitely promising aspects about the changes, especially given the multi-country expansion over the past few months. Players should likely expect to see new tests, as thePokemon GOteam is stating it will continue to look for ways to improve how players can earn the in-game currency. Something sorely needed after the reveal thattransferring Pokemon fromGOtoPokemon Homewill cost PokeCoins.
The PokeCoin test is hardly the only thing going on right now with the immensely popular app.Pokemon GOis currently in full-swing of itsHalloween 2020 event, with plenty of other events scheduled for the upcoming holiday season. There’s also new Pokemon coming toGO. Trainers can catch Galarian Pokemon as a celebration of the release of thePokemon Sword and ShieldCrown Tundra DLC. Niantic has yet to announce if, when, and where the next test will take place.
Pokemon GOis available now on the App Store and Google Play.
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