"Niantic, please": Pokemon GO community wants remote trading in-game

Despite being close to seven years old, Pokemon GO is a title that still sees frequent content updates and quality-of-life changes. One of the mobile title's most infuriating features that players feel is in need of a change is the game's trading system. With the game being online, players feel that there should be a choice to trade creatures long-distance.

Trading is a feature that has been a staple in the Pokemon franchise since its initial conception. Since the first titles released in pairs, players had to trade Pokemon with another person who had the opposite title to complete their Pokedex fully. With every new title, the process of exchanging creatures between trainers has been getting more advanced.

Niantic, Please. by u/squeeks9950 in pokemongo

Taking a break from the frequent criticism that the subreddit is known for, players on Reddit have pitched an idea to help bring Pokemon GO's dated trading system into the modern era. This follows the game restricting the use of the trade feature to only being allowed between players who are right next to each other.

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Reddit Reacts to Pokemon GO's dated trading system: Time for an update

As many experienced players will know, there are certain times when players should trade creatures among themselves. Ever since the first game in the franchise, players have had to trade creatures not only to complete their Pokedex, but to evolve certain monsters into their final forms.

Pokemon like Gengar, Alakazam, Machamp, and Golem are monsters that can still evolve without needing to trade with others in Pokemon GO but are significantly less expensive if they do so. The game also incentivizes trades by rewarding players the more they do it by introducing friendship levels and Lucky Friends.

Comment by u/phillybob232 from discussion Niantic, Please. in pokemongo

As players experience Pokemon GO, they will eventually meet friends and other trainers they will exchange codes with. With so many additions to one's friends list, there will eventually be an instance where players want to trade with someone without being right next to them. Considering that the ability to long-distance trade has been a part of the franchise since 2006, it is a bit odd that Niantic has yet to add it to their mobile game.

An idea user Phillybob232 had on the original post details the inclusion of long-distance trading without completely removing the incentive to trade in person. Making long-distance trading cost slightly more resources while granting a discount to those trading in-person would be a great middle-ground for introducing the feature.

Comment by u/InvestigatorUnfair from discussion Niantic, Please. in pokemongo

Overall, this post made to the Pokemon GO subreddit shows that Niantic has some serious quality-of-life updates to make. With a slight tweak to some of the game's social mechanics, players will be much more incentivized to go out and play the game with their friends; something Niantic is clearly trying to do judging by the recent Raid Pass changes.

A great place to start with these quality features would be to allow players to finally trade creatures with their new long-distance Lucky Friends.