Pokémon Go developer Niantic has been making changes to its game in an effort to ensure fans can continue playing while they’re stuck at home. Its latest is a brand-new Remote Raid Pass that lets you raid without leaving the couch.
It’s one of the biggest changes to Pokémon Go that we’ve seen so far. Here’s how it works.
Pokémon Go was one of the first — and by far the most popular — augmented reality games that gets players off their couches and into the real world. If you want to “catch ’em all,” you’ve got to be active.
So active, in fact, that Pokémon Go could help you become fitter and healthier before you’ve even realized it. One player, who spoke to Cult of Mac back in January, credits the game for helping him shed 140 pounds.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, playing Pokémon Go isn’t a good enough reason to leave your house. The game has had to change to accommodate the millions of players stuck inside.
Its latest move is the Remote Raid Pass.
Pokémon Go’s new Remote Raid Pass
Available from the in-game store, the Remote Raid Pass lets you take part in Pokémon Go raids that appear on the app’s map or on its “nearby” page from the comfort of your own home.
Just like normal raids, you’ll be able to team up with other players. However, Niantic says only a “limited number” of the 20 people usually allowed to partake in an outdoor raid can use a Remote Raid Pass at once.
This gives Pokémon Go fans the opportunity to continue hunting down legendary Pokémon — which are typically available only after defeating them in raid battles — while the pandemic continues raging outside.
A single Remote Raid Pass costs 100 Pokécoins ($0.99), but you can save by buying them in bulk. Limited-time bundles featuring multiple passes for just 1 Pokécoin will be available when Remote Raid Passes arrive later this month.
More changes for indoor play
Niantic also plans some other Pokémon Go tweaks for quarantine play, including daily Field Research tasks and the ability for buddy Pokémon to bring you gifts. These would normally require you to visit a Pokéstop in the real world.
