Pokémon GO Community Outraged as Niantic Quietly Raises Pokecoin Prices

Niantic has found itself in hot water with Pokémon GO enthusiasts following an increase in the price of Pokecoins within the in-game store. While the alteration in cost may not be particularly dramatic, the Pokémon GO community is disheartened by the lack of prior communication from Niantic regarding this adjustment.

The immensely popular mobile game, centered around catching pocket monsters, has been captivating players for over seven years. Over this time, Pokémon GO has undergone several transformations, introducing features like Raid Battles, the GO Battle League, and seasonal events such as Halloween and New Year's celebrations. Pokecoins serve a crucial role in the game, notably for obtaining Event Boxes that offer various items to aid players in their Pokémon-catching endeavors. With the price hike irking players, there's a genuine concern that they may reconsider their purchases.

An observant Pokémon GO player, known as Excellent-Pumpkin-15 on Reddit, was quick to spot the Pokecoin price hike. The community reacted strongly, with some players exploring alternative methods to acquire Pokecoins in the app. While the price change amounted to a mere 69 cents for Excellent-Pumpkin-15, it nearly doubled the original cost. This sparked frustration within the community, and some individuals are now reluctant to spend money on the mobile game. Previously, the 99-cent option was the preferred choice among players. Interestingly, some users haven't encountered price adjustments for Pokecoins in their gameplay, leading to suspicions that this increase may be region-specific.

The lack of prior communication from Niantic has left many Pokémon GO enthusiasts feeling disheartened. Prior to the price adjustment, Niantic had not issued any official announcements or statements hinting at such a change. Speculation abounds among fans in the Reddit post, as they ponder whether this was a deliberate move or an oversight on Niantic's part. For a game like Pokémon GO, which thrives on community engagement and social interaction, this price alteration has left many players dissatisfied.

Adding to the player discontent, Niantic also declared that Pokémon GO would no longer be supported on older Android 7 devices. As the game continues to introduce new content and events, this decision has disappointed some players.

In contrast, Epic Games recently implemented a price increase for microtransactions in Fortnite, citing factors like inflation. The notable difference between Epic Games and Niantic lies in communication. Epic took the initiative to inform its player base about the impending change, whereas Niantic's silence on the matter has raised concerns. Only time will reveal whether Niantic plans to address this issue with the Pokémon GO community.