Could Pokemon Go Downloaders be banned for playing it early?
We just reported to you today that there was a way for people outside Australia, New Zealand and Japan to get Pokemon Go early by downloading an APK file. Now, some players who did just that are already deleting the app after a rumour started that Niantic, the company behind the game, could ban them for their workaround.
According to Eurogamer, Twitter user Twintendo said in a post that was retweeted over 1,000 times, “If you have downloaded the APK for Pokemon GO delete it now. They are banning your device and not your account, which is much worse!” Twintendo admitted they didn’t totally buy the rumour, but added “it ain’t worth the risk.” That might be the way many nervous players are feeling.
Other users have joined in. Twitter user Maeka said “If you are on Android and got the Pokemon GO apk from outside of your region, you are risking a ban. Just as a heads up.” Whether the rumour is true or not, the fear is enough to make many stop and think about whether they should keep playing the game or delete it.
And past history with the company is what worries others. Redditor “GiantKiller130” described a bad experience with the company after they were banned from the studio’s previous game Ingress for a similar infraction. They stated “please don’t spoof, or download the apk or register a fake apple ID to get it early for your region… Niantic used to ban people for drift hacking, and it would be a shame to find many new trainers suddenly being banned. The process to get unbanned is long and arduous, and it’s not worth it.”
What do you think? Are you a Pokemon Go player who is worried about a possible ban?