Last night, Pokémon Go maker Niantic announced it would introduce new ways to earn Pokécoins, its in-game currency used to buy items such as raid passes, as well as a slight bump to the overall total number of coins which can be earned each day.
On the surface, this rejig sounded positive. The idea of alternative routes to gaining the game’s coveted daily helping of coins (which otherwise need to be bought with real-world money) is a good one. Right now, the system relies on placing Pokémon in gyms, and then being turfed out of gyms every day to receive coins when your Pokémon are defeated.
But a follow-up clarification from Niantic and a quick bit of maths suggests this reorganisation will instead work against most players. And while Niantic has said this new system will go through testing, it is being implemented as it stands for the game’s entire playerbase in Australia.
Under the new scheme, activities will be introduced to earn extra five coins – for completing tasks such as performing an Excellent throw or winning a raid. To “balance” this, Niantic said, gym coins will be nerfed so you earn 1 Pokécoin every 30 minutes, a much slower rate than before. Overall, you can earn a new maximum of 55 coins per day.