Pokémon GO Reverts The PokéStop Interaction Distance After Fan Outcry

Niantic, the Pokémon GO developer, has decided to revert the PokéStop and Gym interaction distances after fans were in an uproar over the changes.

On the official Pokémon GO Twitter, the changes were announced to fans in a two-part post. Interaction distance for PokéStops and Gyms will be permanently increased to 80 meters across the globe. That's twice the distance of the former 40-meter distance that was added back in July.

When enough of an uproar was heard, Niantic announced a task force for interaction in the game. Niantic said, " We are assembling an internal cross-functional team to develop proposals designed to preserve our mission of inspiring people to explore the world together."

They announced they announce all of their findings on September 1, 2021. In the most recent tweet, Niantic gave an update saying officially, "Trainers - we’re looking forward to sharing our plans as a result of the task force on September 1, but one thing does not have to wait! From now on, 80 meters will be the base interaction radius for PokéStops and Gyms globally."

While the most controversial change has already been reverted with an official announcement, there is more news to come next week when September 1 arrives.

The initial cause of the PokéStop interaction distance in Pokémon GO

All of the controversies over PokéStop and Gym distances began in July when Niantic announced they would be decreasing the interaction distance in Pokémon GO.

The decision came after many countries around the world seemed to be getting a handle of the pandemic to a degree, and people would hypothetically be able to interact more once again. 40 meters was the original interaction distance for PokéStops and Gyms in Pokémon GO before the pandemic.

While the pandemic was starting, and well after, Niantic implemented remote raids and 80-meter interactions to help players continue playing. However, many players found the interaction distances and remote raid bosses to be some of the best changes to the game.

One Pokémon GO streamer, Reversal, had vowed to quit Pokémon GO over the changes. After sitting down with Gfinity, he also pointed out that Pokémon GO had received a massive surge of players, and 80-meter interaction distances were all they knew.

The Pokémon GO community was successful in getting the interaction distance that they wanted for PokéStops and Gyms. Everyone will find out more when the Niantic task force gives their results on September 1.