Pokemon Go backtracks on Pokestop changes after fan backlash

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The COVID-19 measures will stay in place past September 1

Pokemon Go Mega Pidgeot Raid Counters
(Image credit: Niantic)

Pokemon Go has reversed planned changes to restore the game's pre-COVID-19 distance requirements for PokeStops and Gyms.

Just yesterday, the official Pokemon Go Twitter account published the two tweets you can see below, to announce that they would no longer be reverting to the required distances for PokeStops and Gyms from before the pandemic. The tweets thanked players for speaking up over the past few weeks, ever since developer Niantic first announced the forthcoming changes.

If you're unfamiliar with what's going on here, Niantic previously made some pretty significant changes to Pokemon Go. Whereas previously, players had to be within 40 meters of a PokeStop or Gym to interact with it, Niantic's pandemic measures adjusted this range to 80 meters. The idea was to keep players apart, and prevent huddling around one location within a short radius.

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That's not all though, as players were also rewarded with two free Raid Passes for spinning Gym signs, and players were also guaranteed gifts whenever they spun PokeStop signs (provided they had the space, of course). These changes were all due to go away starting September 1, as per the original announcement back in June from Niantic.

As you might imagine, the news that Niantic would be reverting these changes was not met with enthusiasm from players. At the time, the developer wrote that "as some parts of the world are moving toward recovery" they would be removing the increased ranges so players could focus on outdoor exploration once again. While this decision was an error on the part of Niantic, it's good to see that the developer is listening to player feedback and responding accordingly.

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Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.