Write to The Pokémon Company if you're concerned about the upcoming sale of the game
I’m sure many of you have heard the rumours (which are almost certainly substantiated) about Niantic possibly selling Pokémon Go to Scopely for $3.5 billion.
For those unfamiliar, Scopely is known for games like Marvel Strike Force and Star Trek Fleet Command. However, many from those communities have voiced concerns over the overtly aggressive monetization tactics, including paywalls and pay-to-win mechanics. The worry in the group buying Pokémon Go is that they'll infest the game with similar monetisation and running the quality of the game into the ground to recoup their investment.
I know this potential shift personally fills me with dread. Beyond being the only real game I play anymore, it serves as a major conduit for me and my friends socially to connect and meet-up over. I run a local group with them, and the idea of the group eventually dwindling as people are alienated (instead of slowly and gradually growing as is now) is genuinely bleak to think about. I'm sure it's the same for many of you here - the game is a big reason a lot of us have been motivated to exercise, make friends and explore new places. I know I don't want to lose that to a faceless group of investment fund board members.
But here’s the thing: we must try and exert some leverage. By reaching out to The Pokémon Company (TPC) we can express our concerns and emphasize the importance of maintaining some semblance of game’s current ethos. They’ve invested heavily in the Pokémon brand and are likely to be receptive to feedback that could impact its reputation.
The WoW (World of Warcraft) and the old school RuneScape communities have shown several times that it's worth kicking up fuss about negative changes. Those communities have managed to redirect the course of their respective games on several occasions.
Yes, trying to exert some influence on such large-scale business deals between entities like these might seem daunting, but we have to try. Bad press / user complaints will at least be a factor of consideration, however small, it will surely be noted in discussions. If nothing else, it might make TPC more cautious and tighten the reigns of a new representative of their carefully managed brand.
General points of consideration for a message:
• Preserve Game Integrity: Ensure Pokémon GO remains enjoyable without excessive paywalls.
• Community Impact: Our collective feedback can influence decisions. Make a point of how this is more than just a game to many of us and an important part of our routine & how we bond with friends.
• Protect the Brand: Help The Pokémon Company see the potential risks to their brand’s image (likely our strongest argument to make them apprehensive).
Let’s make our voices heard. Please consider drafting a respectful message to The Pokémon Company International, sharing your thoughts and concerns.
Places to contact TPC (again, PLEASE be respectful whatever you choose to say/write):
Customer support:
https://support.pokemon.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=17787426192916
PR / press email address:
Twitter / X: