Given all the fuss about Niantic’s backflip on an incredible Pokémon Go Boost Box deal yesterday, which was removed from the handheld title’s item shop in a matter of hours—much to the dismay of those who missed out—players have been paying close attention to the store in fear of missing out on another good sale.
Rather than stumbling across another compelling one, players spotted a Great Box bundle that wasn’t worth the price at all, in their view, adding to the furor already brewing in the community.
For a price of 750 PokéCoins, the bundle includes 50 Razz Berries, 50 Pinap Berries, and 50 Nanab Berries, all of which are easy to obtain and abundant in most players’ inventories.
Players were outraged at the deal, and even a little offended. “I wouldn’t even collect that if it was literally free. I end up deleting berries weekly. They just stack up faster than I use them,” said one player. “That box is roughly what I trash from my items daily,” added another.
One player took their frustration a step further, claiming there has been a pattern of boxes with mediocre items that all point to the same conclusion: the items in them could be nerfed soon.
“There have been several boxes that contain mediocre items similar to this one, and unfortunately I think I know what is going to happen. I believe Niantic is going to intentionally nerf berries, balls, and healing items and create events where people need to blow through their stored-up resources so people are eventually tempted into buying these boxes,” they said.
Evidence supports this theory, to a degree. Golden Razz Berries were nerfed recently, while some players have reported healing items seem to pop up less often at Pokéstops and when opening gifts. Some players have even conducted experiments and reached the same conclusion.
Regardless of whether that’s true, the situation has already added to the growing list of concerns about Pokémon Go moving forward.
It’ll be interesting to see what Niantic does for the title next.
