Pokemon Go Gyms Going Down for ‘Biggest Update Ever’

In just a little while Pokemon Go gyms will all be going down in preparation for the huge summer update that Niantic has been teasing for some time. This update will rework the gym experience, delivering a new cooperative gameplay mechanic that has yet to be detailed. We don’t have all the details, but here’s what we know so far.

The new Pokemon Go update will disable gyms some time later today. By the time you read this they’ll likely have already been turned off. All Pokemon that were stored in a gym will be returned to your inventory as if they had been defeated, though they won’t need to be revived or anything. They should just pop back in and be available for use again whenever the new gyms are unveiled.

What will this new co-op experience be? Well Niantic has been particularly quiet about that (See update). There’s no question that the current Pokemon Go gym system needs a refresh. The system is too simple, easy to manipulate, and results in a lot of stagnation in the game. Will this new system fix these problems or introduce some of its own? We should find out when the new gyms are revealed in a few days, or weeks depending on how long this update takes.

UPDATE: And just like that Niantic has issued much more detailed patch notes. Here’s how the new Pokemon Go gyms work.

“You’ll soon be able to spin the Photo Disc at Gyms to acquire items just as you do at PokéStops—but that’s only the beginning. More updates to Gym battles are also just around the corner. Gyms are no longer based on Prestige and training. Instead, they now feature six permanent slots that can be filled by the controlling team’s Pokémon. Each Pokémon assigned to these slots must be unique. For example, only one Blissey can be assigned to a Gym at a time. In addition, opposing teams will battle the Pokémon in the order they were assigned to the Gym.

At the heart of the update is a new motivation system that will significantly change how you interact with Gyms. When a Pokémon is assigned to a Gym, a motivation meter will be displayed. Pokémon assigned to defend a Gym lose motivation over time and as they are defeated in battle. As a Pokémon loses motivation, its CP will temporarily decrease, making it easier for opposing teams to defeat. To help keep the Pokémon motivated and in tip-top shape for their next battle, Trainers can treat their team’s Pokémon to some Berries, which restore their motivation. If a Pokémon loses all motivation, it will leave the Gym and return to its Trainer the next time it loses a battle, so you’ll want to keep your team’s Pokémon motivated by giving them Berries frequently!”