Some Pokémon GO players believe they are owed additional Wild Raid Passes after purchasing the new Into the Wild paid event tickets. This dispute has become the latest in a series of player-versus-Niantic controversies during what has been a challenging year for the popular augmented reality game.
Niantic introduced the Into the Wild event earlier this month, running from November 18 to 22. The event features Toxel’s debut in Pokémon GO, where it can be found in 10 km eggs, along with new Collection Challenges, Field Research tasks, and expanded wild encounters. As part of the event, players could purchase two separate $5 tickets offering various in-game perks. One ticket advertised “two additional Raid Passes per day,” alongside bonuses like 5,000 extra XP from raids and extra Candy for four- and five-star Primal Raids.
However, frustration has grown among players who feel misled about the advertised Raid Passes. A widely shared screenshot shows a Niantic Support response stating that the “up to two free Raid Passes each day” includes the standard daily free pass. This interpretation contradicts the ticket’s description, which promises “two additional Raid Passes,” sparking accusations of false advertising. The post, which gained over 8,700 upvotes, saw players accusing Niantic of “scamming” and questioning the legality of the ticket’s marketing. As of this writing, Niantic has not formally addressed the controversy.
This issue adds to a year of player dissatisfaction with Pokémon GO, with one of the most contentious moments being the avatar update earlier in 2024. That update altered character visuals in ways many found unappealing, such as drastic changes to skin and hair colors. Some players even suspected their accounts had been hacked due to the unexpected alterations.
Despite these controversies, Pokémon GO remains incredibly popular, maintaining a strong player base. In October 2024, the game reportedly had over 87 million active players, underscoring its enduring appeal even amid ongoing disputes.
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