Pokemon Go to start to roll back COVID-19 changes

The app will once again focus on exercise and exploration.

Pokemon Go will begin to roll back changes made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, once again making the app about exercise and exploration.

“How we all play changed a lot in the past 15 months,” developer Niantic said in a blog post. “With the onset of the global pandemic, we realized that we had to change the model for all of our games. We could no longer take going outside and meeting people for granted.”

Starting at the end of July, after Pokemon Go Fests in both the USA and New Zealand, Niantic will begin to offer new exploration bonuses alongside the removal of certain pandemic-specific bonuses. The changes will be made in areas that are starting to open back up after successful vaccination campaigns.

As part of the changes, new exploration bonuses will be introduced, including two free Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs alongside increased Incense effectiveness while moving and guaranteed gifts and bonus XP from spinning Pokestops. Current bonuses to be removed include gifts from your Buddy Pokemon, increased PokeStop and Gym interaction distances and stationary Incense effectiveness. Finally, current bonuses that will remain in play include Incense duration, challenging another Trainer remotely via QR Code, increases to Gifts and Gift open rats and bonus Stardust and XP for your first Pokemon catch of the day.

“We’ll make these bonuses available in other countries and regions as it’s safe to do so. We understand that every place is different,” Niantic continued. “Rest assured, we will be monitoring the situation and activating appropriate bonuses when and where available. Because of this, Trainers may experience different bonuses at different times. To see which exploration bonuses are available to you, check out your Today View.”

Pokemon Go is currently available on iOS and Android devices.