This year’s Pokemon Go‘s yearly celebration isn’t going so well, and it’s not even out yet. After Niantic released information regarding the celebration of its eighth anniversary, there’s been an uproar in the community.
The lack of rewards doesn’t seem to be the problem this time around, but it’s the nature of redeeming the awards. The way it’s been set up, long-time players of the game aren’t eligible to scoop them up.
Pokemon Go Misses the Mark With Its Anniversary Event
Ideally, any game would always want to reward their long-time players. They’re the ones sticking through it through the good and bad and possibly are paying customers as well. Niantic had a completely different idea for Pokemon Go, though.
One of the new eighth anniversary events, titled ‘Whispers in the Woods,’ allows people to pick up the Masterwork Research story of the same name, which allows a special encounter with a Shiny Celebi.
The rare Pokemon first appeared in this game during the Distracted by Something Shiny Special Research story, and Niantic has decided to bring it back. The tickets for the story will be available for $5, and available to purchase until Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
To receive the Masterwork Research, you’ll need to open the game between Friday, June 28, at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. and then you can complete it at your own pace.
Here’s where the problem is. According to a tiny disclaimer at the bottom, if you’ve already got the Shiny Celebi from the previous event, you can’t purchase the ticket for this Research story.
The Frustration Against Niantic Is Piling
People are refusing to take the alleged disrespect from Niantic lying down. Is it fair to disqualify Pokemon Go players from spending their money just because they did the event a long time ago?
People are calling for the game to shut down, feeling insulted by the company’s practices and lack of support for its player base.
If people had known a better Shiny Celebi would be released in the future, they possibly would’ve saved their money instead of spending it at the time.
This is partially where some of the anger comes from, but the frustration with Pokemon Go has been brewing for quite a while with some of its recent updates and changes.
At this rate, Niantic is on a steady path to losing its player base if these concerns are not quelled.
If one player is not allowed to hold two Shiny Celebis, perhaps a better compromise could have been reached, like letting players upgrade their Celebi or replacing it. Niantic is yet to comment on the issue, even as players raise complaints.
What do you think about the situation, are players exaggerating or did Niantic mess up here? Let us know in the comments below!
