Pokemon Go, the AR game from Niantic that took the world by storm a few years ago, is once again in the news, and not for the right reasons. Niantic makes several codes available from time to time and allows users to redeem them to get in-game rewards and items. This is one of the ways that Niantic makes things interesting and keeps the players hooked.
The game is available on both Android and iOS mobile devices, and Niantic has now announced an unnecessary change that targets players on Android devices and how they redeem codes on their phones, making them wish they had an iOS device.
Pokemon Go Makes Changes to How Players Redeem Codes
Developer Niantic took to its Support handle on X/Twitter and revealed that it is making changes to offer code redemption for players using Android devices, and players will now have to visit the Pokemon GO web store. The change will go into effect starting on February 13, 2024.
Niantic said that it hopes this change will be an “easy transition” for the players, but the players do not seem happy about it. Niantic stated:
We are hoping this will be an easy transition for Trainers and will provide a one-stop shop for everyone! If you have any additional questions about the offer code redemption process, please visit the Niantic Help Center for more information.
This is a huge departure from the easy way, as players have been able to redeem the codes in the game’s app itself. This has already been the case for users on iOS devices, as they needed to go to the web store, and only Android users have been able to redeem the codes in-app.
However, in a couple of days, Android users will also have to visit the game’s web store, so it does not matter if players have an iPhone or a Samsung; they are treated the same.
The Game’s Community Reacts to This Controversial Change From Niantic
Niantic also said that trainers having a Pokémon Trainer Club account will be able to “redeem offers” by linking their game account to “another provider” and then using it to log in to the store. This is not the only disappointing change Niantic has made to the game, as players were also unhappy when it brought restrictions on Remote Raid Passes in early 2023.
Good lord! You guys have any other terrible ideas to share. I'll wait, should only take you 5mins…
— Michael (@Toruk1989) February 9, 2024
The players are not happy with Niantic’s decision about code redemption, and many coined it as an unnecessary change and a trick to make players visit the website and get traffic. A player said that the community was waiting for the news on the PvP bug, and instead of doing something about it, the developer brought this up to make things inconvenient for the players.
Oh yeah, people definitely wanted this. No news about the newest PvP bug, but thank GOD we have an announcement about the fact they made it LESS convenient to redeem codes for GO. Excellent work guys, really solving the real issues here
— Magmarman26 (@Magmarman26) February 9, 2024
Players stated that nobody asked for or wanted this update, and one fan added that Niantic only has “terrible ideas” to share with players. Many took a dig at Niantic and said that it keeps taking good features from the game, and soon nobody will be sticking with the game.
Follow us for more entertainment coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
