The True Cost of Playing Pokémon Go per Month

When it comes to playing Pokémon Go, the game is available for free on Android and iOS devices. However, if you want to advance and level up in the game, certain features and upgrades will require you to make in-game purchases. This article explores the actual cost of playing Pokémon Go per month, considering both in-game purchases and real-world expenses.

Understanding the Free-to-Play Model

While Pokémon Go is initially free to play, the game imposes various limits on players. To progress and obtain more Pokémon or items, you need to purchase coins using real-life money. Without these upgrades, you face limitations such as a limited number of Poke Balls and the inability to encounter rarer Pokémon.

The in-game purchases are designed to enhance your experience, but there are also ways to play for free. However, if you#39;re not living in an urban area, the real-world costs associated with playing the game can quickly add up.

Real World Costs Without Upgrades

Relocation and Transportation: One of the primary real-world costs is the need to travel to various Poké Stops and Gyms. If you live in a rural area, as in the case of the author who doesn#39;t have points of interest nearby, you may need to drive around frequently to collect Poké Balls and gym contributions. This can result in increased fuel costs and wear and tear on your vehicle.

Consider the following calculation: If you need to drive 2 miles to each Poke Stop and back, you may drive approximately 4 miles each trip. If you do this twice a day, that’s around 8 miles per day. Assuming your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you would use approximately 0.32 gallons of gas per day. At an average cost of $3 per gallon, you would spend about $0.96 per day on fuel.

Let’s break down the monthly cost: If you drive 30 days a month, the total would be $28.80 in fuel costs per month. This is just one component of the real-world cost.

Optimizing Your Game Experience

Urban and Suburban Areas: For those living in urban or dense suburban areas, the game experience can be significantly more enjoyable and less costly. In these areas, you can often find Poké Stops and Gym Locations closer to your home, making it easier to catch Pokémon without the need for extensive travel.

It is reported that some gamers can reach their desired locations from their living room or within a short 10-minute walk. This accessibility greatly reduces the need for in-game purchases and real-world expenses associated with travel.

Alternative Approach to Reduce Costs

Instead of constantly traveling, the author made a clever decision: calculating the real-world costs of in-game purchases. By estimating the expenses of driving to various points of interest, the author determined the total monthly cost and decided to pay this amount directly to Niantic in one lump sum. This approach proved to be an effective and cost-saving strategy for rural players.

The formula they used was: Real-world cost of travel Number of trips per day × Distance per trip × Gallons of gas per mile × Cost per gallon × Number of days per month. By doing so, they were able to cover all the in-game expenses and reduce the additional real-world expenses.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider making a similar calculation to see if paying Niantic outright would be more cost-effective than frequent in-game purchases.

Conclusion

The true cost of playing Pokémon Go per month is not just about the in-game purchases. Factors such as accessibility to points of interest, travel costs, and the decision to pay Niantic in advance can significantly impact your overall expenses. By carefully considering these factors, you can make the most of your gaming experience without breaking the bank.

Whichever approach you choose, it’s essential to weigh the real-world and in-game costs to ensure you are making the best decision for your situation.