Overview
- Niantic has refuted claims about the introduction of intrusive advertisements in Pokémon GO.
- The company clarified that while the most recent game version references various major ad networks, these are not being actively employed in the game.
- Niantic described the inclusion of these ad network references as a standard practice within the industry, stemming from a third-party library rather than a directive to implement ads.
Pokémon GO developer Niantic has addressed recent rumors regarding the potential for intrusive advertising in their popular mobile game, responding to fan concerns stemming from a datamining report.
On March 28, members of The Pokemod Group disclosed findings that the latest build of Niantic’s mobile game integrated support for various prominent ad networks, including Google AdMob, IronSource, and ApplovinMax. Other platforms such as Fyber, Appodeal, DirectMonetization, and Yandex were also mentioned, leading to widespread speculation among fans regarding possible changes to the gameplay experience.
However, Niantic’s Director of Communications, Mark Van Lommel, firmly rejected these apprehensions. In a statement to Screen Rant, he emphasized, “We will not be bringing intrusive ads to Pokémon GO, not now, not ever.”The director pointed out that while The Pokemod Group’s leaks have often been credible, recent interpretations of the data were misguided. According to Van Lommel, the game had simply updated a third-party library that now includes references to common ad networks, and not the frameworks needed to deploy advertisements.
Pokémon GO’s Ad Network References Are ‘Standard Industry Practice’
Van Lommel described the list of ad networks introduced as part of this update as “standard industry practice”, insisting that it does not indicate any plans for altering the way Pokémon GO approaches advertising. He chose not to specify the name of the third-party library that facilitated these changes. The original report from The Pokemod Group sparked concerns related to Scopely’s recent acquisition of Pokémon GO, with fans fearing that this might negatively influence the game’s future.
“We will not be bringing intrusive ads to Pokémon GO, not now, not ever,” emphasized Van Lommel, effectively dispelling rumors of impending ad integration.
In addition, The Pokemod Group has recently identified another intriguing feature currently under development. Their mid-March 2025 investigation revealed Niantic’s work on a “Hyper Training Service”designed to enhance creature stats for a new currency, known as Bottle Caps. This feature would allow players to convert any creature into a “hundo,”boasting perfect individual values (IVs), which has raised concerns regarding a potential “pay-to-win”model.
If the development of the Hyper Training Service continues, it is likely to be implemented within months, given the initial discovery phase is underway. Currently, Niantic has not commented on this specific leak.