Play at your own risk
Videos by ComicBook.com
For some, the fun in Pokemon GO is searchingnear and wide for rare Pokemon, and discovering other like-minded players along the way.
Others see the game as a challenge. Sure, you could walk around your neighbourhood all day looking for that elusive Hitmonlee, but with a little ingenuity and some specific pieces of equipment, long distances can be traversed in nothing but a few minutes.
The trio of Carlo Van Driesten, Simon Pippers, and Haisang Yu posted a video that shows their new GPS hack for the game, which allows the user to go beyond basic software spoofing (via Hackaday). Basically, this technique allows you to get around your phone’s GPS signal, and instead will allow you to use Google Maps as your navigation. With the linked up joystick, you can simply move around the map on your computer, which will relay where you are to your phone.
This allows you to travel long distances without ever having to leave your house. While it’s quite impressive, you’ll need some things that aren’t typically just hanging around in your garage.
Hardware wise, you’ll need a Rohde & Schwarz SMBV 100A Vector Signal Generator, a u-blox M8 GNSS Evaluation Kit, a Rohde & Schwarz CMW-Z10 RF Shield Box + GPS Antenna, and a Stock RF-Splitter. Software wise, you’ll need to install u-center v8.11 incl. Google Earth Plugin, VNC Signal Generator Remote Control, and some Custom Joystick Control Software.
The trio display side by side screens to show the process in action, and it does seem to do the trick. As with all hacks, do at your own risk. While the process is harder to detect than previous GPS spoofs, eventually Niantic will adjust the software, and you could be banned from playing the game if they find out.
It’s an awful lot of work to go through just to catch a few more Pokemon. For avid Pokemon trainers, though, there might not be another way (until trading is implemented) to catch some of the rarer creatures out in the world.
