Multiple Pokémon GO accounts banned by Nantic by “accident” during Gigantamax launch

As Pokemon GO launches Gigantamax attacks to its player base, several users reported that their accounts were banned for no apparent reason, generating additional backlash to accompany criticism of the new attacks. Presented to Pokemon GO On October 26, Gigantamax Raids will serve as an updated version of the Dynamax Raids implemented on September 10, allowing up to 40 players at once to participate in raids. Unfortunately, though, the feature has proven controversial among the game’s player base.

Exacerbating the problem, several GO players had their accounts banned for no apparent reasonas detailed in this Reddit topic, with many players receiving 7-day bans and some others receiving longer bans of up to 30 days. Notably, the bans are largely for “using modified client software or unauthorized third-party software“, but banned players did not universally report any activity that violated GOof the Terms of Service, and many of the bans have since been reversed.

Seemingly random bans are implemented in Pokémon Go

Niantic lifts bans on “incorrectly” suspended accounts

Fortunately, in response to backlash from banned players, many of whom voiced their concerns on Reddit and X, a statement issued by @NianticHelp on X clarified that the bans were not intentionalstating that “some accounts may have incorrectly received a suspension or ban message”, and that prohibitions have “has been deleted from affected accounts“. Currently, in the previously mentioned Reddit thread, users Euro-pop and CoocooKitten reported that their bans were lifted, although in the latter’s case, the account still had a 1-day warning in effect for the alleged use of a third-party service.

In response to the post on X, several users claimed that their accounts are still banned – permanently in some cases – with Niantic’s official support account responding that banned users should submit a ban appeal or fill out a linked form to help Niantic decide which accounts still need to be unbanned. Some banned players have also complained about the lack of content, as their bans may have coincided with meetings scheduled for Gigantamax raids, and some are requesting some sort of compensation for the issue.

Gigantamax’s launch received strong criticism

Incorrect bans increase Gigantamax attack reaction

In general, the bans only added to the backlash Niantic is already receiving on Pokemon GOControversially implemented Dynamax attacks, which in turn were apparently made worse by the addition of Gigantamax attacks. In particular, one of the main complaints is that the difficulty of Gigantamax raids means that full-sized groups of 40 people are almost mandatory to win, which for many players is excessively difficult to organize – especially for players in less populated areas, who can having to travel elsewhere to find a suitably sized party.

While the bans appear to have been a mistake on Niantic’s part and are in the process of being reversed, the combination of unwarranted bans and poorly received content has dampened many players’ enthusiasm for the game, causing some to quit altogether. While Pokémon GO managed to maintain popularity among its player base, more errors like these could continue to drive more long-time players away from the game.

Source: Maleficient_Sound_919/Reddit, @NianticHelp/X, euro-pop/Reddit, CoocooKitten/Reddit