Niantic has extended Pokémon GO’s Stay At Home bonuses until July 1st. The developers gave no prior indication that the extension will take place, but in the light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no surprise.
The bonuses include modifications to various Pokémon GO’s game play elements:
- 2x Incense duration
- Increased Incense effectiveness
- Open 1.5x as many Gifts
- Hold 2x as many Gifts in your Item Bag
- No walking requirement for the GO Battle League
- 1/2 Hatch Distance
- Boosted damage for Trainers battling remotely in raids
Niantic activated these bonuses on April 15th, making these some of the longest running bonuses in Pokémon GO ever. For better or for worse, these bonuses have revealed how enjoyable Pokémon GO can be without some artificial limitations.
Incense, for one, is an item that gained a completely new life with the increased effectiveness. The increased number of spawns has completely changed how this item is valued and how much it is enjoyable. For many, it will be a hard change coming back to the old version of Incense, and we tend to agree – the “old” version of Incense was far less enjoyable and fun.
Same could be said about the walking requirement for participating in GO Battle League matches. Health benefits aside, the Stay at Home bonuses have shown that having a chance to play at your own leisure are an excellent way to increase player participation in GBL.
Ultimately, its Niantic’s decision on which (if any) of the Stay at Home bonuses will become permanent. We hope that this change of pace gave them plenty of time to measure, evaluate and figure out what changes players want, and what changes can be safely reverted.
Regardless of their decision, Pokémon GO players can enjoy in these extended bonuses until July 1st.
Source
Trainers, the in-app special bonuses have been extended through the month of June. Please refer to the Today View in-app for the latest info. You may need to close and reopen the app to see the updated timing.
— Niantic Support (@NianticHelp) May 29, 2020
