The much-anticipated ability to trade Pokémon from afar has finally arrived in Pokémon Go, fulfilling a long-standing wish of players for nearly a decade. This new feature marks a significant shift for the game, which has traditionally focused on in-person interactions.
When Pokémon Go made its debut in 2016, it emphasized local meetups, with gameplay features like remote raiding being introduced only during the Covid era. Trading, however, remained restricted to a limited radius until now, with the introduction of remote trading.
Unlocking Remote Trading
To initiate remote trades, players must reach the newly introduced Forever Friends interaction tier with their in-game friends. Achieving this tier requires some effort, as it necessitates several months of leveling beyond Best Friends, though this can be expedited by completing Weekly Challenges.
Once players reach the Forever Friends tier, they can engage in a Remote Trade by selecting three Pokémon they are willing to trade while choosing from their friend’s selection. The trade occurs only when both parties agree on the exchange. Subsequent remote trades will require a similar wait, but the wait time offers an opportunity to enhance the Lucky Friends status, making it especially beneficial for friends across the globe who have been waiting for years. Additionally, the friend list capacity has increased significantly from 450 to 650.
Community Reactions
Pokémon Go’s community has voiced varied opinions on this update. An enthusiastic user, Plus-Pomegranate8045, expressed gratitude on TheSilphRoad subreddit, praising the decision-makers at Niantic/Scopely. Another player, Abject-Sector-2167, celebrated the opportunity to finally trade with a long-distance Lucky Friend. In contrast, some players like HappyTimeHollis expressed concern about the potential impact on regional exclusivity.
For months, datamines hinted at the development of Remote Trading, initially suggesting a monetized model. However, the feature’s release as a free component of gameplay has been largely welcomed. There remains speculation that future updates might offer ways to expedite the process.
What the Future Holds
Currently, players in New Zealand, where new features are often tested first, are enjoying the excitement of leveling up to Forever Friends, eagerly anticipating the wider rollout.