How Has Coronavirus Changed the Way We Play Pokemon Go?

How Has Coronavirus Changed the Way We Play Pokemon Go?

Pokemon Go, if you aren't already aware, is a game that is built around the idea of making people go out to have some physical exercise and meet other people while trying to catch Pokemon. But going out for a Pokemon raid these days - when people across the world are self-isolating and staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic - is not the best idea. So, where does that leave Pokemon Go fans? Well, the developer Niantic is making some changes to this wildly popular game in order to make it more stay-at-home friendly. And if you think the coronavirus lockdowns and movement restrictions have had any serious impact on the game's money-spinning output, the truth will surprise you.

But let's first discuss how coronavirus is changing Pokemon Go, or more accurately, how Niantic tweaked Pokemon Go elements for players staying at home to curb the spread of coronavirus. In an official blog post, Niantic outlined a few ways in which the game mechanics are being changed so that players can enjoy the game without having to step out and break the strict stay-at-home protocols in many regions across the globe, including India.



First, the devs are improving the Adventure Sync feature to improve its efficiency at counting steps in indoor environments. So, whether you are vacuum cleaning the floor or running on a treadmill, Adventure Sync in Pokemon Go will make sure you are rewarded for your steps. In case you are unfamiliar with this game jargon, the Adventure Sync feature logs your steps even when the app is running in the background or closed, and rewards you accordingly at the end of each week depending on the tier your activity falls in.

Second, and the most important aspect, is social. Niantic says it is improving the virtual in-game social features of Pokemon Go to make sure that players stay in touch with friends without having to actually meet them. Obviously, the latter would be a big no-no given the current situation. To implement this, Niantic will soon let players virtually team up with friends and engage in Raid Battles without leaving their house