Monetization is becoming a huge issue in Pokémon Go, with every event since the start of 2024 having some way to charge the player for extra benefits or items.

Not only that, but plenty of events lock Pokémon or encounters behind Eggs, which, if you are trying to get a shiny version, might require you to spend dozens of dollars in hopes of RNG gracing you with what you were after. The community has been disgruntled by these constant monetization practices coming from Niantic, so when Dot Esports met Pokémon Go Director Michael Steranka, we were canid to ask him about fans’ concerns about over-monetization and Niantic’s current aggressive strategy.