Summary
- Pokemon GO has removed Raid Passes as a reward from the friend referral system, impacting players' ability to acquire them for free.
- Many fans speculate that the change was made to combat exploitation by "eBay sellers" and players using multiple accounts.
- Despite the removal of this reward, Pokemon GO continues to offer exciting events and updates for players to enjoy in the coming months.
Pokemon GO has removed a helpful reward available through the game's friend referral system, cutting out an often-exploited method for players to acquire free Raid Passes. The massively popular monster-catching mobile game from Niantic features a wide variety of ways for players to acquire different creatures within the game. Alongside finding Pokemon in the wild while walking around, players can battle Team GO Rocket members, trade with friends, and complete Raids to find rare and powerful Pokemon. However, fans of Pokemon GO now have one less way to pick up Raid Passes.
Throughout recent years, Pokemon GO has added multiple incentives for players to partner up with one another and play the game together. Players can team up with other Trainers to complete Raid Battles, trade Pokemon with each other, and send Gifts containing helpful items. Niantic also added "Party Play" last year as a way for players to play together, allowing friends to team up and gain special bonuses for clearing Raids, catching Pokemon, and spinning PokeStops. Now, however, one friend incentive for Pokemon GO is going away.
Pokemon GO: Party Play, Explained
Party Play in Pokemon GO allows players to take advantage of some new features, such as Party Power. Here's how it all works.
Fans of Pokemon GO recently discovered that Niantic has officially removed Raid Passes as a reward for the game's friend referral system. Raid Passes were previously given out as a reward for players winning a Raid after being referred to the game by their Pokemon GO friends. The "Win a raid" mission now rewards players with a Pokemon encounter, though fans have noted that Raid Passes previously rewarded through friend referral were not affected. Niantic has not made an official statement about the change in Pokemon GO's friend referral rewards.
Pokemon GO Removes Refer-A-Friend Reward
The removal of Raid Passes from the friend referral rewards has already seen plenty of speculation from Pokemon GO fans. Many fans suggested that the change is likely due to the use of the rewards by "eBay sellers" and players exploiting the reward using multiple accounts. Niantic has previously dealt with issues regarding players selling their accounts, with fans selling their Pokemon GO accounts in protest of changes made to the game's Remote Raid Passes. Pokemon GO has even banned players for abusing similar exploits in the past.
The surprise rewards change comes as Pokemon GO has given fans plenty to look forward to throughout the coming months. Niantic recently revealed the dates for Pokemon GO's upcoming Community Day events, confirming the Community Days for September, October, and November. Niantic also released a new promo code to coincide with the 2024 Pokemon World Championships, granting an exclusive in-game cosmetic for players using the code. Pokemon GO's new change will look to combat players exploiting the generous rewards offered by the friend referral system.
WHERE TO PLAY
Pokémon GO is an immersive open-world multiplayer RPG that enables you to live your own RPG adventure in augmented reality. Find and evolve all Pokémon and battle with other players in AR online in this multiplayer adventure RPG.
COMPLETE YOUR POKÉDEX AND INCREASE YOUR TRAINER LEVEL!
Catch your favourite Pokémon as you explore the open world in augmented reality, trade them with other Trainers, or get the chance to catch a Pokémon after winning a Raid. You can also collect Pokémon by hatching eggs through walking! Evolve your Pokémon in your Pokédex, gain levels to catch more powerful Pokémon and earn adventure rewards during a Raid in multiplayer or online PvP battle.
EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE IN MULTIPLAYER AND PvP!
Start your own adventure and challenge other Trainers online in PvP during epic Gym battles or in the GO Battle League. You can also enjoy multiplayer by facing off with other players in PvP battles to win rewards, or team up with other Trainers for a chance to catch Pokémon after a Raid Battle.
CREATE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!
Customise your avatar, join one of the three teams and pick your Buddy Pokémon from your Pokédex to journey by your side in this AR adventure RPG.
SWITCH BETWEEN THE REAL WORLD AND THE VIRTUAL WORLD WITH THE AR+ MODE!
Bring the RPG to the real world and search for Pokémon in locations around you. With the AR+ mode, Pokémon appear right in front of you — Catch it with your PokéBall and add it to your Pokédex.
Catch your favourite Pokémon in AR as you explore the world and battle online with other Trainers in PvP and Raid battles.
