Niantic News Articles
Monday3rd Oct 2016
News Pokémon GO Creator Niantic Taken To Court Over Beach Mobs
"We had no other choice"
Dutch authorities are taking Pokémon GO creator Niantic to court after the popularity of the game has caused hordes of players to descend on protected beaches at Kijkduin, South Holland in the Netherlands. Dubbed the Pokémon capital of the Netherlands, Kijkduin is home to many rare 'mon and this has predictably led to...
Friday30th Sep 2016
News Google Engineer Reflects on the Technical Side of Pokémon GO's Launch
Suffice to say, they weren't prepared
Though the craze around Pokémon GO has mostly subsided by this point, few will forget the record-smashing launch that it had. Obviously, all those involved with the game's development grossly underestimated how popular it would be, and the game was positively riddled with bugs and instability in the first...
Wednesday28th Sep 2016
News Reports Suggest Pokémon GO's Rare Spawning Nests Have Been Totally Randomised
Don't worry, you'll still get lots of Pidgeys
It would seem that Pokémon GO's "spawn nests" have been entirely randomised for rare 'mon. Reports are appearing online that Niantic has changed things up for hard-to-find monsters, deviating from its previous approach of simply switching one type for another at predetermined spawn locations...
Monday26th Sep 2016
Video Ben Heck Creates The Ultimate Pokémon GO Survival Kit
Not at all cumbersome, honest
Seasoned Pokémon GO players will no doubt have their own techniques and strategies for catching as many monsters as possible in a typical 24 hours, but for the average person, a little help is sometimes needed. That's where Ben Heck's amazing "Pokémon GO Survival Kit" comes in. The famous hacker and his team have...
Weirdness Father Complains After Beach Trip Is Ruined By Lack Of Pokémon
Don't visit Holland-on-Sea if you're a keen Pokémon GO player
We've all done it. When you're out and about on a family trip it's all too tempting to pull out your phone, fire up Pokémon GO and check to see if there are any rare 'mon lurking nearby. However, for one father on a visit to the British seaside town of Holland-on-Sea, getting a catch...
Friday23rd Sep 2016
News New Pokémon GO Update Allows You To Capture Incense-Lures On The GO Plus
Still no fix for tracking, alas
These Pokémon GO updates sure are coming thick and fast. The release of the Pokémon GO Plus accessory has triggered a few new versions of the app and now Niantic is preparing to release another update. It's apparently rolling out to iOS (1.9.0) for Android (0.39.0) and and Android devices as we speak and allows you...
Video Let's Break Down What You Need to Know About Pokémon GO Plus
Alex does his best 'buzz' impression
The Pokémon GO Plus has had a bit of an iffy run to market, getting delayed initially and generally proving to be rather elusive even when it is meant to be on sale. There are also nitty-gritty questions over the fine details of what it does, as the included instructions are 'succinct', to put it politely. The...
Wednesday21st Sep 2016
Weirdness "Lapras Panic" Grips Tokyo After Rare Pokémon GO Sighting
In hot water
Police had to be summoned to deal with a massive crowd of Pokémon GO players following a Lapras sighting in Tokyo's Odaiba district. Reports of the monster's existence caused hordes of players to descend on the location, with many spilling onto the road and causing a safety hazard. Some have even gone as far as to name the event...
Tuesday20th Sep 2016
"We will make games for the NX"
Pokémon Company president Tsunekazu Ishihara has told The Wall Street Journal that Pokémon titles will be forthcoming on the new Nintendo NX, a system which he describes as blurring the lines between home console and handheld. Ishihara refused to confirm if a Pokémon title would launch alongside the NX in March...
Monday19th Sep 2016
News Livestreamed Mugging Highlights The Dangers Of Playing Pokémon GO Late At Night
Warning: distressing footage contained within
Pokémon GO has enraptured millions, generated plenty of cash for the companies involved and encouraged plenty of players to get on their feet in search of monsters. However, it's worth noting that despite the promise of elusive beasts and the obvious health benefits involved, there are risks worth...
Friday16th Sep 2016
News Turns Out You Can Capture New Pokémon With The Pokémon GO Plus
Does anyone really know exactly what this thing does?
The Pokémon GO Plus is released today, and is sure to be a must-have item for seasoned fans of the app. When it was first announced, information regarding its functionality seemed to indicate that it would be an optional accessory rather than something that is instrumental to the core...
Review Pokémon GO Plus - The Original PGO Companion Device
It's all in the wrist
When The Pokémon Company revealed Pokémon GO last year, it also proudly displayed the Pokémon GO Plus device. With a design which playfully mixed the iconic Pokéball with Google's map pin, this Bluetooth-powered lump of plastic was pitched as an optional extra that would make the process of playing the game every day that...
Wednesday14th Sep 2016
News Pokémon GO Plus Does Track Distance Covered, Contrary To Nintendo's Official Line
Early reports spill the beans
Distance plays a huge role in Pokémon GO. It's used not only to hatch eggs, but since the recent update it also allows your buddy Pokémon to earn candy. Therefore, when it was announced that the Pokémon GO Plus device - which launches this week - would not track your distance when in use, many people expressed...
News One-On-One Battles Could Come To Pokémon GO In The Future
"It's probably something that will make its way onto our roadmap"
Pokémon GO developer Niantic has already promised more updates to the core app - including the ability to trade monsters with other players - but studio CEO John Hanke has revealed that one-on-one battles may also be featured in the future. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt
News Pokémon GO "Pretty Likely" To Come To Android Wear As Well As Apple Watch, Says Niantic CEO
"We’ll look into supporting those, too"
Apple made quite a splash the other week when it revealed that its Apple Watch wearable will be getting a special version of Pokémon GO. Many assumed that this new app would be exclusive to Apple devices, but that doesn't seem to be the case. John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, has revealed in an interview with...
Tuesday13th Sep 2016
News Pokémon GO Has Lost 79 Percent of its Paying Population
Still remains most profitable mobile game
It's been a few months since Pokémon GO made its official debut, and although there's some pretty cool new features being added, it was inevitable that the app would struggle to maintain its initial level of success and popularity. After breaking several records for sales and downloads at launch, Pokémon...
Monday12th Sep 2016
Random Walking 10km With Pikachu As Your Buddy Creates A Stronger Bond In Pokémon GO
Just like Ash!
Pokémon GO's latest update introduces the Buddy system, which has to rank as one of the most significant changes since the title launched a few months ago. Using this system, you can assign a 'mon as your buddy and they will walk alongside you, earning candies as they go. This new mechanic also introduces a cool Easter Egg which...
Friday9th Sep 2016
News Pokémon GO Sets Another Record as it Reaches $500 Million in Customer Spend
Yep, it's super effective
Earlier this week it was announced that Pokémon GO had passed 500 million downloads. According to App Annie, that's also a significant number in terms of revenue from customers, with the analytics company declaring that GO is the fastest mobile game to make $500 million worldwide in customer spend. You don't need to be a...
Thursday8th Sep 2016
News Pokémon GO Plus Launches On September 16th
Delayed device finally hitting retail
Nintendo has confirmed that the delayed Pokémon GO Plus will be arriving in stores on September 16th. The device - which connects to your phone via a low-energy Bluetooth link and allows you to plunder Pokéstops and catch monsters in Pokémon GO without having to pull your handset out of your pocket - was...
Wednesday7th Sep 2016
News Pokémon GO Confirmed for Apple Watch
Due out this year, primarily focused on fitness
With Pokémon GO Plus add-on expected soon and the app still performing well, Niantic CEO John Hanke appeared at the Apple Conference today to unveil a version of the game for Apple Watch. This version is an accompaniment rather than being an iteration of the full game, with its focus very much on...
News Niantic Already Working On New Apps As Pokémon GO Passes The $440 Million Mark
"We have some projects that are in the early stages now"
Niantic has gone from being a near-unknown to one of the most famous developers on the planet thanks to the astonishing success of Pokémon GO, the monster-catching smartphone app which the company developed in conjunction with The Pokémon Company. Niantic's previous release, Ingress, laid...
Monday5th Sep 2016
News Pokémon GO's Success Has Convinced Sony To Perform About-Face On Mobile Gaming
"Pokémon GO is a real game-changer"
Sony boss Kaz Hirai has revealed that the incredible success of Pokémon GO has encouraged the company to reassess its stance in the smartphone gaming arena. Sony's ambitious PlayStation Mobile platform was put out to pasture last year after failing to find lasting success, but Hirai has told
Random Car Insurance Firm Pokes Fun At Those Who Pokémon GO Behind The Wheel
"Don't catch and drive"
You should never play Pokémon GO when you're behind the wheel of a car - that much is obvious. Just like sending a text or taking a phone call, it's a distraction which dramatically increases the chances of you getting into an accident. Niantic has even gone as far as to include a warning message in the game which pops up...
Friday2nd Sep 2016
News Buddy Pokémon Confirmed by Niantic for Pokémon GO
You've got a friend in Meowth
Earlier this week data miners sifted through the latest Pokémon GO update and discovered code for Buddy Pokémon. That leak was clearly spotted by Niantic, as it's now confirmed that the feature is on the way; it's "just around the corner", so could arrive any time soon. The details are as expected, ultimately -...
Thursday1st Sep 2016
Rumour Buddy Pokémon Could Be on the Way to Pokémon GO
Have a companion for your travels
Pokémon Yellow Version did something a bit different when it came out by allowing players to have their Pikachu out of its Pokéball, faithfully following the player around the overworld if it was in their party. The feature then disappeared and didn't come back until Pokémon Heartgold and Soulsilver, where it was...
Tuesday30th Aug 2016
News Niantic Is Lifting Some Pokémon GO Account Bans
"Our main priority is to provide a fair, fun, and legitimate experience"
In the past few weeks we've seen Pokémon GO developer Niantic drop the ban hammer on some accounts due to the use of tools which make it easier to locate monsters and gain an advantage over rival players. Some of these bans are the result of players using seemingly innocent...
Sunday28th Aug 2016
Random Disgruntled Young Pokémon GO Fan Makes Satirical Game About Playing in the Suburbs
"I've managed to teach myself Javascript just to make a statement"
Pokémon GO has, in most ways, been a terrific success for Niantic and The Pokémon Company. Yet despite its record breaking success it's also earned its share of critics, with some of the most dedicated players and franchise fans among those disgruntled at various aspects of the...
Tuesday23rd Aug 2016
News Recent Data Highlights Gradual Decline in Pokémon GO Users and Engagement
It's still doing rather well, though
Pokémon GO had a staggering launch, even when its roll-out was rather slow and steady. It set new records in revenues and was even threatening the likes of Google Maps in terms of daily users, a rather extraordinary state of affairs. Those levels were never going to last, naturally, and though gradual updates...
Weirdness Pokémon GO Triggers Massive Trainer Stampedes In Taiwan
Lots of people, all trying to be the very best
While the latest data suggests that Pokémon GO has peaked in terms of popularity, it's still one of the most-played games on the planet right now - as these chaotic scenes from Taiwan attest. Various sightings in the country have triggered massive stampedes as people rush to catch rare monsters. On...
News Niantic Pushes Out a New Pokémon GO Update
Pokémon Appraisal is the big new feature
A while back, Niantic promised Pokémon GO players that trading would be the next big feature they'd be working on implementing. While this still has yet to materialise, Niantic has just pushed out a new update with a feature that seems to be a pretty sizable addition to ease the process of raising Pokémon...
