Late last night, Niantic published the long-awaited article detailing the overdue feature changes. As we predicted, the changes has to do with Raids, (and that includes both the EX and regular varieties).
EX RAIDS: Niantic's developer notes have said that they have heard the feedback of the community. They are changing Pass distribution to make it more fair, and making the algorithm based of factual values and not a random system (which Niantic admits that they used). Gym Badge level will play a part of recipients, and EX Raids will take place near "accessible" locations.
GYM BADGES: Leveling up your Gym Badges finally means something! Doing low-level Raids finally means something! Recipients of EX Passes will now be chosen based on the level of your Gym Badge and the amount of Raids you've done. This will finally make more active Trainers be rewarded for their participation.
TIME & PLACE: Location was always a concern in the early days of the field test. Time became a concern when the EX Raids began happening in the middle of the day. Niantic seems to have found a reasonable solution.
EX Raids will take place primarily at sponsored and park Gyms, as to make them easily accessible and not too interruptive. The Raids will also be scheduled for times when the interaction with a Gym is usually at its peak. Niantic has said that they are willing to review the new policy down the line, and expand it to more Gyms if they're accessible and non-interruptive.
CANCELLATION: Obviously, some EX Raids may need to be cancelled. An in-game notification will be sent to you if your EX Raid gets cancelled. As compensation, you'll receive Stardust and Premium Raid Passes.
FIELD-TEST CONCLUSION: Well, after months of testing, Niantic's changes mark the end of the field test. You may not have remembered that all these months of EX Raids have been a rather-long field test. With it coming to an end, it opens the door for new EX Bosses being added to the system (Please, Niantic).
REGULAR RAIDS: Changes to the rewards of Raids are also in effect. More Golden Razz Berries will be given out, and less Potions and Revives (although higher-tier Potions will be given out). And, Raids that are leveled 3, 4, and 5 now have a higher chance of giving out a TM.
Most importantly, Stardust is also a Raid reward. Whether you win or lose, you'll receive a couple hundred Stardust. Nintic said that they want Raids to feel rewarding, even if you don't capture the Raid Boss. They're also adding the Stardust reward to improve your chances of completing the next Raid you take on. Also, Magikarp is returning to Level 1 Raids.
Thanks for reading, Trainers. Our coverage of the new Pokémon GO update and its datamine is coming later on today. A review of the new Raid system is coming tomorrow. Stay tuned!
EX RAIDS: Niantic's developer notes have said that they have heard the feedback of the community. They are changing Pass distribution to make it more fair, and making the algorithm based of factual values and not a random system (which Niantic admits that they used). Gym Badge level will play a part of recipients, and EX Raids will take place near "accessible" locations.
GYM BADGES: Leveling up your Gym Badges finally means something! Doing low-level Raids finally means something! Recipients of EX Passes will now be chosen based on the level of your Gym Badge and the amount of Raids you've done. This will finally make more active Trainers be rewarded for their participation.
TIME & PLACE: Location was always a concern in the early days of the field test. Time became a concern when the EX Raids began happening in the middle of the day. Niantic seems to have found a reasonable solution.
EX Raids will take place primarily at sponsored and park Gyms, as to make them easily accessible and not too interruptive. The Raids will also be scheduled for times when the interaction with a Gym is usually at its peak. Niantic has said that they are willing to review the new policy down the line, and expand it to more Gyms if they're accessible and non-interruptive.
CANCELLATION: Obviously, some EX Raids may need to be cancelled. An in-game notification will be sent to you if your EX Raid gets cancelled. As compensation, you'll receive Stardust and Premium Raid Passes.
FIELD-TEST CONCLUSION: Well, after months of testing, Niantic's changes mark the end of the field test. You may not have remembered that all these months of EX Raids have been a rather-long field test. With it coming to an end, it opens the door for new EX Bosses being added to the system (Please, Niantic).
REGULAR RAIDS: Changes to the rewards of Raids are also in effect. More Golden Razz Berries will be given out, and less Potions and Revives (although higher-tier Potions will be given out). And, Raids that are leveled 3, 4, and 5 now have a higher chance of giving out a TM.
Most importantly, Stardust is also a Raid reward. Whether you win or lose, you'll receive a couple hundred Stardust. Nintic said that they want Raids to feel rewarding, even if you don't capture the Raid Boss. They're also adding the Stardust reward to improve your chances of completing the next Raid you take on. Also, Magikarp is returning to Level 1 Raids.
Thanks for reading, Trainers. Our coverage of the new Pokémon GO update and its datamine is coming later on today. A review of the new Raid system is coming tomorrow. Stay tuned!