Fair Dinkum: After Years, Pokémon Go Players Can Finally Trade Across Bloody Continents!
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Niantic has finally granted Pokémon Go players' biggest wish: remote trading is coming! Enabled by a new 'Forever Friends' tier and a clever wishlist system, trainers can now swap Pokémon across the globe, albeit with sensible restrictions, opening up a world of collection possibilities.
Right, so I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s one of those rare moments where the game devs actually listen! Remember all those whispers, the desperate pleas, the virtual chalk circles drawn on the internet begging for just *one* thing? Well, buckle up, mate, because Niantic – yes, *that* Niantic – has finally pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Pokémon Go is, at long last, getting remote trading.
This rather marvellous bit of news, originally brought to light by Michael McWhertor over at Polygon, confirms what many of us have only dreamed about. For what feels like an eternity, trading Pokémon in Go has been strictly a 'stand next to your mate, awkwardly tap phones' affair. Great for local meetups, less great if your mate with the elusive Hawlucha lives on the other side of the planet. And let's be honest, how many of us have staring at those blank spots in our Pokédex, just *yearning* for that region-exclusive Oricorio (Pa'u Style) that you can only get if you fancy a holiday to Hawaii? My Pokédex has more holes than a wizard's robe after a particularly explosive potion mishap, I tell ya.
But now? We're talking global reach! The 'Forever Friends' update, as Niantic is calling it, is rolling out this week and it's set to blow a hole through those geographical barriers. It's a new tier, even higher than 'Best Friend,' which, if you're like me, already felt like climbing Mount Everest backwards while juggling Wailords. Reaching Forever Friend status with someone sounds like it'll require some serious dedication – sending gifts, battling, trading in person – basically, building a bond stronger than a max-level Snorlax with a full belly. But hey, for the chance to snag a Pokémon I can't physically reach? Count me in!
Once you’ve achieved this sacred 'Forever Friend' status, the remote trading ritual begins. It’s not just a free-for-all, mind you, which is probably for the best. Niantic's cooked up a rather clever system where you 'tag' Pokémon you’re willing to part with. Then, you and your Forever Friend each send a 'wish list' of up to three Pokémon you'd happily receive from their tagged collection. After that, you each pick one from their requests to offer. There's a review step, a chance to confirm or bail out – it's like a digital negotiation, but hopefully without the shouting and table-flipping. Honestly, it's a smart way to manage expectations and ensure everyone's getting something they actually want, rather than accidentally trading your shiny Gengar for a Pidgey.
Now, before you go trying to trade your entire collection of legendary shinies, there are, naturally, a few catches. Niantic's always had a knack for adding restrictions, and remote trades are no different. You won't be able to trade Pokémon caught in the last 30 days (fair enough, mate, no instant flip-flopping), previously traded Pokémon, Shadow Pokémon (again, makes sense for balance), Mythical Pokémon (duh!), Pokémon defending Gyms or Power Spots (can't leave 'em defenceless!), your current buddy, actively Mega-Evolved Pokémon, Fused Pokémon, or the Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta. And don't even *think* about trading anything from the Pokémon Playgrounds. So, no trading your shiny Celebi across continents, which honestly, is probably a good thing for the game's overall health and rarity economics. It's gently skeptical, but I reckon these are sensible guardrails to prevent total chaos.
What's genuinely exciting is that remote trades *don't* count as special trades, regardless of the Pokémon! That's a huge win, meaning you won't burn your daily special trade on a long-distance deal. Plus, if you're Lucky Friends, remote trading will still net you those coveted Lucky Pokémon. That's a massive boost for collectors and power players alike, transforming a long-shot dream into a tangible reality.
Beyond the trading itself, Niantic is also bumping up the maximum number of friends you can have, from 450 to a whopping 650! This incremental increase over the next few weeks is a brilliant move. More friends mean more chances for Forever Friends, which means more trading opportunities. It's all connected, you see – like the intricate spell matrix of a grand magical ritual. It’s all about connection, building those bonds, and ultimately, catching 'em all – even if 'em all are half a world away.
This isn't just a quality-of-life update; it's a potential game-changer for Pokémon Go. It addresses a core frustration that has plagued players for years and, in doing so, breathes new life into the social aspect of the game. It encourages deeper player interactions, not just local ones, and provides genuine motivation to nurture those friendships beyond the 'Best Friend' badge. It's an affirmation that Niantic *can* listen, even if it takes a while to brew the potion. So, start taking inventory of your most coveted tradeable Pokémon, players. You're about to get a lot of requests from your newfound Forever Friends, so trade wisely, and may your Pokédex be ever full!
Tags: Pokémon Go, Mobile Gaming, Live Service, Community, Niantic
Original article: Polygon