After many weeks of EX Raid field tests, Niantic has revealed they’re almost ready to officially launch this invite only aspect into the Pokémon Go game. With this announcement, the company also disclosed some alterations they’re making to the process and the reasons behind each.
A major change that will affect the way players strategize getting an invite to an EX Raid is a narrowing of the location possibilities of where one might occur. Originally, any gym was a potential setting. Now, EX Raids will take place in parks and sponsored locations only.
Developers explain that the main reason for this update is so that players can more easily access the place where an EX Raid will occur.
Early in the test phase, Trainers were sent invites based on some pretty tough demands. Not only were they required to have participated in a recent Raid at the TBD event site, but it had to be a successful endeavor where they defeated and caught the Raid Boss.
Now, event attendees will be chosen based on the level of Gym Badge earned at the assigned EX Raid locale and the total number of Raids participated in.
With these new conditions, Niantic hopes to remove some of the randomness from the selection process and more accurately award invites to those most active at the gyms.
Another positive modification is to the time of day an EX Raid will occur. Instead of haphazardly choosing when an event will happen, Niantic will now schedule based on the most popular time Trainers participate in Raid Battles at the selected site.
In the event that an EX Raid is cancelled, Niantic promises in-game notifications will now be received. Players will also obtain Premium Raid Passes and Stardust as consolation prizes.
It’s been a long road for the EX Raid and a somewhat painful wait for those chomping at the bit to capture Mewtwo. Hopefully, this latest news is a good sign that a rollout is very close.
As always, we’ll let you know as we hear more.
(Feature Pic Source: pokemongolive.com)
