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This is what happens if you cheat at Pokemon Go

Published Jul 15th, 2016 6:30PM EDT
Pokemon Go Cheating Ban

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So you want to collect all the Pokemon and the experience, but hate doing the actual job? The good news, for you, is that there are ways to cheat at it if you so desire. The good news, for everyone else, is that cheaters are going to be banned. Softly. But still banned.

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So if you’re thinking about pulling crazy stunts to collect Pokemon without running around like a crazy person, you should think twice about doing it.

If you hire someone to walk your Pokemon Go game for you, that’s still cheating, but nobody will care. If you drive around and playing Pokemon Go, you might get yourself into legal troubles, but nobody will care.

But if you use more advanced tactics that include GPS spoofing or using modified versions of the game, then Niantic and Nintendo will take action against cheating.

Players who were dealt bans for using GPS spoofing hacks could no longer catch Pokemon, collect PokeStops, or battle/claim a gym, Polygon reports.

The players discovered that the Pokemon would just run away when hit with a PokeBall, rather than adding itself to their collection.

The ban, however, is temporary, lasting for a few hours, which means cheaters can get back to cheating once that’s done. However, this proves that Niantic is paying close attention to those people bending the rules, and is working on appropriate consequences for these actions. Unfortunately, nothing is official on the matter, so we have no idea what kind of offenses are punishable, and to what extent.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.