Niantic has once again come through with help for its socially distant Pokemon Go trainers, as players can now log into the app and input a code that will give them a free care package containing Golden Razz, Silver Pinapp, and four Pokeballs. This is a huge help to trainers who are unable to leave their homes as frequently as they once could.
Pokemon Go‘s entire game play method centers around getting its players outside and walking around in order to catch, hatch, or battle Pokemon. It encourages trainers to meet up with others during Community Days and Raids. However, with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic limiting the amount of time people should spend outside or interacting together, Niantic has had to seriously rethink its Pokemon Go strategy to keep its players safe, yet still continually engaged with the game.
The one-time use care package code (which is “EMRK2EZWLVSSZDC5” as reported by Eurogamer) is the latest step Niantic has taken to adapt Pokemon Go to the new normal, which includes increasing amounts of “stay at home” orders. In early March, when the coronavirus outbreak was just beginning, dataminers found multiple changes to Pokemon Go‘s code which predicted Niantic was already preparing for upcoming quarantines, with changes to item drop rates and level caps. Since then, Niantic has also changed Pokemon spawn areas to allow them to appear closer to players’ homes, and trainers will soon be able to get items from PokeStops from twice the normal distance. Niantic, thankfully, doesn’t want players to miss out on the necessary items required in order to succeed in the game just because they’re stuck at home.
With no end to these “stay at home” orders in sight, Niantic has already cancelled multiple in-person Pokemon Go events through the summer. However, because meeting up and working with fellow trainers is such a huge part of Pokemon Go, changes are coming which will promote social distancing while still allowing players to interact with their friends. Niantic has said that Raid Battles will soon be completely digital, and the upcoming round of the Battle League will be easier for trainers to participate in.
Due to the very nature of Pokemon Go, trainers assumed they wouldn’t be able to use the app to its full potential once stricter quarantine orders were put into place, but Niantic certainly proved them wrong. The company has worked hard to make necessary changes to the game in order to make it safe to play during this hectic time. It wanted to give its players something to engage with and focus on, while also encouraging the proper social distancing methods. Although Pokemon Go cannot be played the same way as it once was, its central purpose of bringing trainers together through their love of Pokemon still rings true, and is even more important during this unpredictable world event.
