In just a few days, Pokemon GO developer Niantic will be celebrating the mobile title’s first birthday with an extravagant event being held in Chicago’s Grant Park, but before then, it has just one more update to roll out before the weekend break. Version 0.69.0 and 1.39.0 for Android and iOS devices respectively is due to arrive within the next few days, bringing with it a handful of welcome changes to Pokemon GO‘s recently overhauled Gym system.
The biggest and most important of these tweaks is to how ‘Mons away from home defending Gyms can now be fed Berries by their Trainers, regardless of distance. Previously, players could only gorge their prized fighter on food if they were in close proximity to the Gym itself, but that limitation no longer remains. Niantic does note, however, that Motivation regained through the new method will be “less effective” than if you were present to feed it in person.
Further adjustments include allowing players to spin the Photo Disc at Gyms after completing a Raid Battle, something that, for one reason or another, wasn’t possible before. Whether this is simply a bug fix or a relaxing of the number of items Trainers can accrue through the method, we don’t know, but it’s nonetheless a step in the right direction.
Finally, upon the patch’s arrival, a series of new icons will be introduced to the Pokemon information screen that indicates the method in which any particular Pocket Monster was obtained. Egg hatching, Raid Battles and wild catches will all presumably be included, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it expanded in the future to include those critters that were obtained through trading. Niantic has yet to put a firm date on the feature, but has confirmed on numerous occasions in the past that it’s coming.
We’ll keep you updated on any news concerning that as and when it comes, but in the meantime, for those attending Pokemon GO Fest later this week, there’s a very real chance that you’ll be witnessing the arrival of the mobile game’s first ever legendary Pokemon. Keep those fingers crossed!