Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Niantic put measures in place to make it easier to play Pokémon GO from homeOpens in a new tab. When we were all mostly staying inside, reaching the popular mobile game’s Gyms and PokéStops was a challenge. And those features both figure hugely into playing and enjoying the game. So Niantic, who publishes Pokémon GOOpens in a new tab, added features to decrease the distance a player can be from the actual real-world Gym and PokéStop locations (among other changes). Players could interact with those features from a safe, social distance. Recently, the company tried to roll that feature back. The move upset fans—to put in mildly. But as of Wednesday morning, Niantic reversed its decision.
Niantic
In news we first saw at The VergeOpens in a new tab, Niantic announced it would make some Pokémon GO pandemic changes permanent. Namely the distance a player can be from Gyms and PokéStops in order to interact with them. After Niantic initially rolled back pandemic changes, fans threatened to boycottOpens in a new tab Pokémon GO. Niantic then formed a task forceOpens in a new tab in response to the uproar. Though the game company won’t release the task force’s full findings until September 1, it shared the news about Gyms and PokéStops early via Twitter.
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. (1/2)
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) August 25, 2021Opens in a new tab
The news makes it official: players need only to be physically within 80 meters of the real-world Gym or PokéStop location. This is double the original distance of 40 meters. And that pandemic change made a huge difference in how players confined to their homes could experience the game. We’re glad Niantic decided to keep this Pokémon GO change in place as it makes the game more accessible for everyone.
You can read the full Pokémon GO changelog hereOpens in a new tab. We’ll see what they else they add on September 1.
Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist and the author of A Kid’s Guide to Fandom, available nowOpens in a new tab. Follow her on TwitterOpens in a new tab and InstagramOpens in a new tab.
