Fair enough, but as someone who recently got back into Pokemon Go after a two year long hiatus, what are your views on Niantic and Go rn?
Niantic have ruined a good thing
GO Tours are a prime example. In 2021 and 2022 these were full global events where people can play regardless, or spend £10 on a ticket that gives a variety of bonuses including boosted shiny rates. Millions would do this giving Niantic millions in revenue with very little overhead beyond the usual costs.
Then, the COVID concerns "ended" and in 2023 they decided to split it up to a paid live event for ~30,000 people, then a free event with reduced activities globally with no paid ticket. This reduces the money they earn significantly just for the live event to exist
It's got even worse this year with even less to do just for the perception for the live event. Heck it even goes against their "vision" of trying to get people to go out and play as more would if the event was as cohesive as it was in 2021 and 2022
They have ruined the game a lot in the past couple of years in the name of their vision, ignoring player feedback routinely. I admire it in a way, but you can tell it's not working by their heavily reduced revenue. Now, they're rushing and implementing things people have asked for over the years to try and appease the userbase but it's too late.
I sometimes get more activity on Café ReMix content than GO content, and GO used to be one of the big draws.
I love playing GO, I prooposed to my wife during GO Fest in 2021, and seeing the way it is going is sad. I hope they can right the course, but that'd need certain people in Niantic to stop having a hand in it
