7 Ways Pokemon Go Could Be Improved for Rural Players

Pokémon Go has been a hugely successful game since its release in 2016, attracting millions of players around the world. However, Niantic recently made some changes to its game, including a price increase for remote raid passes, which resulted in a record low in revenue for the company.

To both boost revenue and keep players happy, it would be wise for Niantic to consider implementing the following points, which provide incentives for players to continue playing and spend.

Niantic recently raised the prices of Remote Raid Passes, in an attempt to encourage players to return to the pre-pandemic way of playing the game, outdoors. However, this measure alone did nothing to motivate players to step outside. One way to incentivize them could be to lower the cost of egg incubators, or offer 3 egg incubators at a discount, which would encourage players to walk more, and to spend more time outdoors, it could also promote a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Introducing in-game messaging would be a valuable addition to Pokemon Go. This feature would allow players to communicate with friends and participate in local raids, making the gameplay experience more social and engaging. Moreover, in-game messaging feature could also promote safety for players by reducing the need to communicate outside the game, where they may be at risk of being robbed, attacked, or harmed in-person.

Another way to improve the game is by adding field research that rewards players with in-game currency, rather than just low-value items like Nanab Berries. This would not only make the rewards system more meaningful and satisfying, but also help rural players who don’t have nearby access to Pokémon gyms, as there’s nothing more frustrating than taking over a gym, only to be taken over 5 minutes later, with only 1 coin as a reward.

Another method Niantic could make the game more enjoyable is by restructuring the Battle League rewards to include guaranteed legendary Pokémon with 5 wins. This change would make the game more enjoyable for solo players as the majority of 5-star raids are impossible to defeat without a group of players. Winning 5 battles would still present a challenge, but the guaranteed reward would make the effort rewarding and satisfying.

As well as restructure the Battle League rewards. Another way to enhance Pokémon Go would be to introduce more variety in the Battle League. Instead of offering the same Great, Ultra, and Master Leagues every season, Niantic could introduce more variety of leagues. This would not only keep battles fresh and exciting but also prevent players from using the same popular Pokémon, such as Swampert, Giratina, and Dialga, repeatedly. By introducing more diversity in the Battle League, players would be encouraged to experiment with different Pokemon, leading to a more engaging and dynamic gameplay experience.

Another way Niantic could improve the game is to introduce ongoing special research tasks, where players can complete one at a time in exchange for a legendary Pokemon as a reward. This feature would benefit players who don’t participate in raids or struggle in PvP battles. The research quests could be designed to be challenging and require a bit of a grind, but the reward would be worth the effort. By having ongoing research quests available, players would have a new avenue to obtain legendary Pokemon and stay engaged with the game.

While the game currently provides some avatar customisation, adding further options could enhance the player’s sense of ownership over their in-game characters. Customisable faces, height, and weight could be introduced, similar to the games such as Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3, which has seen great success with its wide range of customisation options. This would not only attract players who enjoy personalising their characters, but also make the game more satisfying for existing players who want to differentiate themselves from others.

And there you have it: 7 ways Pokemon go could be improved for rural players. Thanks for reading. Please like, share, and comment with your own ideas on how Pokemon Go could be improved. Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter X @rhysbritton.