Pokemon Go seems to be preparing for a subscription service of some sort. At begining of the week, Pokemon Go released a new update this week, and data analysts have already teased some interesting information from the game’s code. One of the biggest surprises is that Pokemon Go seems to work in a subscription service of some sort. Details about the alleged subscription service are sparse, but the subscription will be purchased from Pokemon Gois in the application and can be set to renew automatically.
If Pokemon Go is preparing to create a subscription service of some kind, it should not be a surprise to some fans. Over the past year, Pokemon Go the number of “paid events” that offer players exclusive research and in-game benefits has greatly increased. In addition to last summer’s Pokemon Go Fest worldwide, Pokemon Go hosts an event Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto in February. Players who purchased a ticket to the Pokemon Go Tour: Kanto will also have access to the Special Research ticketed in January and February for that month’s Community Day. Recently, Pokemon Go also tested a new type of ticket event that required players to purchase a ticket to get a Mr. Mime Galarian in December. This was the first event that required players to pay money to access a specific Pokemon.
While some fans may be upset at the thought of a subscription service, other “free to play” games have used subscription services to a large extent. Fortnite, probably the largest game in the world, uses a Season Pass to offer players a variety of premium items and additional perks. Many other games also use subscription services to increase their revenue and reward players for their loyalty. Keep in mind that most game subscription services are optional and we don’t expect that Pokemon Go move away from its current “free to play” model.
In the meantime, Pokemon Go players can currently participate in a Sinnoh Celebration event this week and a Hoenn Celebration event next week, both offering increases in certain Pokemon. Pokemon Go is also hosting a Machop Community Day this weekend.