Pokemon GO Fans Think A New Update Has Tanked Wild Spawns

Pokemon GO fans think a recent update to the game has caused a major problem with the game’s Wild Pokemon, seeing dramatically reduced Pokemon spawns since the patch. The massively popular mobile game from Scopely has given fans plenty to do since the start of the new year, already launching multiple major events. Pokemon GO kicked off the first week of the year with the debut of Pinch Perfect, not only adding Gen 9 Pokemon Klawf to the game but also introducing the Shiny variant of Dhelmise. However, a recent update may have brought an unintended problem back to the game.

Pokemon GO officially rolled out a brand-new update to the game ahead of Pinch Perfect’s launch on January 6. The patch notably came with the removal of Pokemon GO‘s McDonald’s-sponsored Gyms within the game, expected to be due to the end of the partnership with the fast food chain. Pokemon GO typically makes minor changes to the game with its pre-event updates, though no specific details were provided with the January 6 patch. Now, fans are finding out that Pokemon GO‘s Wild Pokemon spawns have taken a huge nosedive with the newest update.

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Pokemon GO Has a Major Wild Pokemon Problem

Pokemon GO fans are discovering a marked decrease in the number of Wild Pokemon spawning within the game following the January 6 update. Players have shared that, where they were previously able to find in the range of 8-10 Wild Pokemon when opening Pokemon GO, the update has now led only 1-2 Pokemon to appear. Many fans have cited a particular issue with the spawn rates in rural areas, where Pokemon already appear less frequently in the wild than in urban and city areas. Pokemon GO did not officially confirm it would be making adjustments to the game’s spawn rates, though some fans have suggested that similar changes happen every year.

The sizable reduction in Pokemon GO spawns has led to significant frustration from many fans of the game since the update. Many have suggested that the dramatically reduced spawns have made them consider quitting or uninstalling Pokemon GO, with some claiming to not see any Wild Pokemon at all. Others have even suggested that the change extends to Pokemon GO‘s events following the update, with one claiming that the recent Barboach Spotlight Hour was greatly impacted by the change. Pokemon GO has not made an official statement about the reduced spawns, with little help reportedly coming from official support channels.

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Pokemon GO’s Reduced Spawns Could Affect Future Events

Pokemon GO‘s controversial spawn changes could have a major impact on some of the game’s upcoming events, if not addressed quickly. Pokemon GO is gearing up for its next January Community Day event, with Grookey set to star in the monthly festivities running on January 18. The mobile game will also add another new Shiny variant in late January, introducing Shiny Fidough to the game as part of the Precious Pals event beginning on January 20. Leaks from Pokemon GO have even teased the Community Day Pokemon for February, with Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix said to be the featured Pokemon.

Pokemon fans should have lots to be excited about from the franchise as it begins the celebrations for its 40th anniversary. The Pokemon Company is expected to introduce the first details about the 10th generation of Pokemon video games as part of the festivities, likely being teased during February’s Pokemon Day stream. Pokemon‘s Japanese social media account even suggested that 2026 is going to be the “biggest year yet” for Pokemon, though no official details were given. With Pokemon gearing up for one of its most notable anniversary celebrations yet, Pokemon GO should have plenty in store for fans throughout the year.