While it may seem like forever ago now, Niantic’s big 2017 summer bash, Pokemon Go Fest, is often remembered as a disaster for numerous reasons. Connectivity issues, lack of transparency and supplies from Niantic, and heckling being the biggest standouts. Unfortunately for Niantic, it appears that their troubles from Go Fest are still ongoing. Niantic announced during the ill-received event that they would be refunding attendees for the cost of their entry ticket, as well as giving them $100 worth of in-game currency. For many players, however, this wasn’t enough.
After the disastrous event last year, Niantic was sued by numerous attendees, many of whom had flown out from far-off countries, and paid for parking and hotels for the event. This week, a Chicago court ruled that Niantic’s handling of the situation was insufficient, and Niantic agreed to a class action suit to reimburse maligned attendees. A fund of $1,575,000 has been set aside for Niantic to refund costs for the variety of issues that plagued attendees. A website for these refunds is set to be up by May 25th of this year. Those requesting refunds will have to prove they attended the event using the in-game badge, and any refunds over $107 will need receipts for proof. Unclaimed money left on the table after the refunds are finished will go back to Chicago charities, such as the Illinois Bar Foundation and nonprofit event Chicago Run.
With Niantic seemingly in a better place this year, will this summer’s Go Fest be more organized? Will it return to Chicago? Will Niantic even do Go Fest again at all? We’ll have to wait and see. Until then, stay tuned to NinMobileNews.
