You don't have to leave your house to play 'Pokémon Go'

Image: Niantic/The Pokémon Company

In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, Niantic has changed how you can get more out of Pokémon Go without having to leave your home. The game developer has tweaked the game's different mechanics a bit to help keep its players safe. According to a Niantic representative, the studio is focusing on "updates to Pokémon GO features and experiences that can be enjoyed in individual settings."

Some of the changes include increasing habitats so trainers can see more monsters nearby, incense packs are at a 99% discount and last for an hour when in use, and incubators can hatch eggs twice as fast. PokéStops will be dropping gifts more frequently, too. These changes will continue until further notice as the company postpones its real-world events. 

"While we've made these updates based on the current global health situation, we also encourage players to make decisions on where to go and what to do that are in the best interest of their health and the health of their communities," Niantic said.

Source: Polygon