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Niantic Offering Pokémon Go Fest Attendees Refunds, $100 Of In-Game Coins
Update: Pokémon Go Fest attendees will also receive the first Legendary Pokémon, Lugia. The rare beast will be added to all accounts that were registered for today's festival.
After a rocky morning at this year's Pokémon Go Fest in Chicago (players were unable to connect to the game and catch new Pokémon at only location in the world they were currently available), Niantic has announced it is offering all attendees an apology, a refund, and $100 of in-game coins.
The event was meant to act as a celebration of Pokémon Go, allowing players to catch Unown (a Pokémon previously unavailable in-game), and later on, the first legendary Pokémon, which had been missing since the game's launch. Now, after a rough morning of disconnects, Niantic took to the event's stage to announce the news that the refunds and in-game currency would be available to all attendees as an apology to fans, and that they will continue to work on the issues. Fellow Game Informer editor Andrew Reiner was on-site to confirm the news.
Our Take
This is a bummer. What was supposed to be the start of better things to come for Pokémon Go now looks like a showcase of its worst problems. Hopefully the event recovers from this and attendees are able to have a good time, even if they do get refunds. If the event ends up being a total dud, anyone who paid for airfare and a hotel to attend the event are probably going to be pretty mad.
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