Games Gaming News

Niantic Responds to Pokémon GO Battle Pass Progression Limit Concerns

Pokémon GO players have raised concerns over progression limits in the game’s first-ever event battle pass, introduced ahead of the upcoming GO Tour: Unova event. The Tour Pass, which features 500 levels of rewards, has sparked backlash due to a restriction limiting players to five tier advancements per day.

Niantic has now responded, explaining that the daily cap applies only from Monday to Friday to provide a structured lead-up to the GO Tour Global event. The restrictions will be removed over the weekend, allowing players to progress without limits. However, the lack of in-game communication about this cap has led to frustration, with many criticizing Niantic for making the system unclear.

The Tour Pass is available in both free and paid versions, with the Deluxe Pass offering extra rewards, including an encounter with Victini and a new Lucky Trinket item that grants instant Lucky Friend status with a chosen player. The Deluxe Pass can be purchased alone or with 10 pre-unlocked tiers for an additional cost.

In the Netherlands, the Deluxe Pass is priced at €24, making it one of the most expensive event passes Pokémon GO has ever offered. Many players have expressed frustration, feeling ripped off by what they describe as a half-broken event with zero explanation. The lack of transparency around progression limits has left a massive number of players demanding refunds, as they feel the event was misleading and not properly communicated before purchase.

Beyond the battle pass, Niantic has introduced several monetized features for the event, including a Masterwork quest for Shiny Meloetta and separate paid raid and egg hatching tickets. These additions have fueled ongoing discussions about the game’s increasing reliance on monetization.

For players planning to maximize their rewards, the weekday progression cap means careful planning will be necessary. However, the weekend lift on progression restrictions will provide an opportunity for those willing to grind and catch up on rewards.