Niantic recently tweaked Pokemon GO’s Incense by drastically reducing the rate at which Pokemon spawn, while Incense is active unless players are moving while using Incense. That change has sparked online protests and criticism from the Pokemon GO community. While that’s certainly negative for Pokemon GO itself, the latest battle with Niantic over Pokemon GO also matters because Niantic might release a new game in the near future. A new trademark suggests that something called Campfire is in development at Niantic, but Campfire could struggle to find an audience if Niantic’s reputation is defined by player outrage.

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Niantic’s Controversies and Campfire’s Player Base

Pokemon GO fans opposed to the Incense change raise a lot of compelling points about the change to Incense, since it severely hampers Pokemon GO fans who don’t have the time, location, or ability to walk around every day in search of Pokemon. Incense helps these players participate in the game’s events, but now, it’s hardly more effective than just waiting for random Pokemon spawns.

This is only the latest controversy around Niantic’s handling of Pokemon GO. Players have criticized Niantic for everything from PokeStop changes to Research Breakthrough rewards to longstanding bugs in Pokemon GO. While the game continues to thrive, Niantic has an increasingly embattled relationship with players.

Pokemon GO clearly isn’t going anywhere, but these debacles are a clear obstacle for the newly rumored Campfire. The new trademark is almost certainly the title of a new AR game, since that’s the genre Niantic specializes in, which means Niantic would love to get Pokemon GO fans to try Campfire. However, if AR fans aren’t keen on how Niantic has treated Pokemon GO, then they likely won’t be particularly interested in giving Campfire a chance. If Campfire fails to court Pokemon GO players due to Niantic’s habit of upsetting fans, then Campfire may unfortunately be dead on arrival.

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How Campfire Could Succeed

Campfire could be a notable new project from Niantic because it doesn’t appear to be attached to another IP. Ingress remains Niantic’s only surviving original concept; historically, Niantic has favored licensed games like Pokemon GO, the late Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, and the relatively recent Pikmin Bloom. Campfire’s generic name suggests it’s an original idea, which means it doesn’t have the benefit of a built-in audience like Pokemon GO does. Campfire could escape Niantic’s reputation if it has a secret affiliation with another IP, but for now, it’s impossible to say if Niantic is collaborating with anyone.

With no clear branding available, Niantic might be able to give Campfire a better launch simply by changing its tune when it comes to Pokemon GO. Fans have been asking for more transparency and cooperation from Niantic for years, so if the company starts catering more towards the requests of players in the near future, then Campfire might draw in Pokemon GO players after all. Last year, Niantic did reinstate certain Pokemon GO accessibility changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic after players protested their removal, so hopefully Niantic will repeat that behavior in the coming months and years. If it does so, then Campfire has a better chance to succeed.

Pokemon GO is available now for Android and iOS devices.

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