Last week, Niantic released one of the most substantial updates forPokemon GOto date, making significant changes to gyms and adding co-op raid battles. Niantic at first only allowed the highest level players to participate, however, perhaps as a way to test the feature before giving all players access to raiding. Now the developer has greatly lowered the level requirement for raids, making it possible for players as low as level 5 to join in the festivities.
This is according to the officialPokemon GOTwitter account, which made the announcement yesterday. By rolling back the level requirement for raids to level 5, almost allPokemon GOplayers will now be able to fight raid bosses and attempt to earn legendary items. Of course, these level 5 players will have their work cut out for them, and may need to coordinate with some friends that are higher level and have stronger Pokemon.
Most of the raid battles are fairly difficult and require high level players and Pokemon to be successful. Having said that, level 5 players may get lucky and end up in a raid battle with aweak Pokemon like Magikarp, which is essentially an automatic victory with rewards equal to the tougher battles.
Besides opening more features inPokemon GOto more players, Niantic’s decision to lower the level requirement for raids may also result in the company increasing its revenue from the game. After all, more players will now be able to purchase raid passes, which may encourage some to shell out real world cash in exchange for in-game coins.
As it stands, Niantic has already profited immensely fromPokemon GO. The game consistently garners millions of dollars every month, and recently passed$1.2 billion in total revenuesince its launch last year. Perhaps this tweak to the raid system and other recent changes Niantic has made to the game will help further that cause even more, asPokemon GOswiftly approaches its one year anniversary and questions about future content in 2017 and beyond.
Pokemon GOis available now for iOS and Android mobile devices.
