Pokémon Go increases its level cap for the first time in more than four years

If you still play Pokémon Go Over four years after setting mobile gaming records for the first time (and near-record revenue figures in July suggest there are many of you), you’ve probably been stuck at level 40 gaming experience for quite some time. time now. If so, you’ll be happy to hear that the level cap will be increased for the very first time, to level 50, as part of an upcoming brand update. Pokémon goes beyond.

“Upgrading is one of the most important and meaningful aspects of the game,” Philip La, Niantic Product Manager, said in a press briefing. “Reaching the current cap of 40 is a ‘badge of honor’ that other coaches will recognize. Some have hit it multiple times. Now is the time. [to increase that cap]. Many dedicated players have crossed so many milestones and [are] looking for new challenges. “

While Niantic is not discussing the exact time for the level cap update (beyond “soon”), the company has stated that trainers who reach the current level 40 cap by midnight on December 31 will receive a “Legacy 40 Trainer” badge and “exclusive rewards”. This seems to suggest that leveling beyond 40 will be available at the start of 2021, if not as soon as the year transfers. A few lucky level 40 players in Australia will be able to test out the new level cap in the coming weeks.

If you haven’t reached level 40 yet, Niantic will do whatever it can to help you get there. As of November 30, almost all actions in the game will be “rebalanced” to give more XP than before. And from November 18 until the end of the year, catching Pokémon will be worth double the normal XP. During a “12 Days of Friendship” event, also from November 18th, you will be able to open more gifts each day and increase your friendship level faster for each open gift.

If you have already reached level 40, any additional experience you have accumulated since reaching the cap will instantly count towards reaching the new higher levels. But XP alone won’t be enough to get past level 40 – subsequent levels will also require players to complete new, higher-level research tasks, such as making “excellent” throws or evolving all variants of Eevee. , for example.

“Once you’ve hit [Level] 40, the ‘endgame’ experience should feel like a new game, “lead game designer Matt Ein said at a press conference.” You need more than XP. You must be a complete trainer. “

Higher training levels also mean the ability to fuel your top Pokemon to higher levels. But that will require a new “Candy XL” item, which can be acquired by catching Pokémon or by “converting and combining” standard candies. Trainers who have not yet reached level 40 will also see new, higher caps to power their Pokémon.

Sign of the times

Along with a new level cap, the ‘Beyond’ update will also see the deployment of new Pokémon from the Kalos region, first seen in 2013. Pokémon X and Yes. The update will also introduce a new calendar-sensitive “seasons” system, where different Pokémon will become more or less common depending on the actual season in the outside world. This system will also reflect hemisphere differences, so Pokémon that are common in northern winter may be rare during concurrent southern summer.

The change in the “Beyond” update comes as Pokémon Go struggles to stay playable as more people stay at home and avoid group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout 2020, Niantic rolled out a number of updates that “prioritize … Pokémon Go features and experiences that can be enjoyed in individual settings … depending on the current global health situation. . ”

“2020 has been difficult for everyone in different ways,” said Veronica Saron, head of product marketing at Niantic. “Our team had a set of plans for this year that we were very excited about, but when the world changed in 2020 we had to pivot. Over the past year, we’ve come together as a team to meet our fans where they’ve made it so that we can continue to deliver the best experiences to trainers all over the world, despite the times. “

Ad image by Niantic