Epic Games had a fierce battle with Apple and Google's mobile stores due to the restrictions they impose, which do not allow users to use them as open platforms like a PC. Apparently, Niantic recently followed suit with a similar move, although without the problems with Apple and Google.
Epic Games declared war on Apple in 2020 by allowing Fortnite players to purchase game content ignoring App Store fees, which made Apple angry and resulted in Fortnite being removed from the store, leading to a long legal battle that we all know about.
What does this have to do with Pokémon GO? Two years later, Niantic is trying to do the same thing essentially with its popular title, but unlike Fortnite, it is making it less attractive for consumers.
This week, Niantic launched the official web store of Pokémon GO, where players can buy PokéCoins directly from Niantic's official store on their PC and avoid paying the approximately 30% fee charged by Apple and Google for each transaction.
The difference is that Epic Games enabled the purchase of V-Bucks or V-Coins directly from the game, offering players discounted game content. In contrast, Niantic does not include it in the game but instead invites interested players to do so on their own via email through the Pokémon GO store. Apparently, this is why Niantic has not had any problems with Google or Apple.
However, the Pokémon GO store is not available worldwide but only in certain regions, one of which is Australia. It offers several packages of PokéCoins, including additional coins at no extra charge.
- Buy 1200 PokéCoins and receive an extra 60
- Buy 2500 PokéCoins and receive an extra 150
- Buy 5200 PokéCoins and receive an extra 350
- Buy 14,000 PokéCoins and receive an extra 1000
It is noteworthy that Niantic's move comes a few days after it increased the price of Remote Raid Passes and imposed a limit on their daily use.
With this move, Niantic wants to prevent players from overspending in the Google Play Store and App Store due to the fees and revenue sharing applied to all developers bringing their games to the platform. However, the problem is that Niantic appears to be benefiting more than the players.
While Epic Games offered discounted content during the brief moments when it evaded Apple and Google's fees, Niantic is falling short in this regard. Even with the extra PokéCoins as a gift, it is still cheaper to buy 100 PokéCoins through the game and the App Store or Google Play Store, as some users have noted.
Reddit users have noted that the prices in the web store are the same as in the game, and the difference is the "bonus" amount of PokéCoins offered by the packages. However, curiously, the best package of 100 PokéCoins is not available in the web store. That said, the 100 PokéCoins package is still the best option in terms of quantity-price (ignoring the time it takes to make several transactions of this type).
Despite this, Niantic promotes its online store as the "best place" to get PokéCoins, but the majority of users on social media and Reddit have criticized the decision.
The company has not publicly spoken about these developments, perhaps because it is not yet available worldwide. The store is expected to open in more regions "soon."
What do you think of Niantic's decision? Tell us in the comments.
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