In a frustrating turn of events, a dedicated Pokemon Go player has lost access to their 7-year-old account due to being unable to answer a single security question. The rigid authentication process employed by Niantic has proven to be a hindrance, causing the player to lose all their game progress.

The player, who created their account in 2016 during their 6th-grade year, used their school's email address to register for Pokemon Go. However, unbeknownst to them, this email address became invalid in 2023, rendering their login credentials useless.

After reaching out to Niantic customer support for assistance, the player underwent a series of identity verification questions in order to regain access to their account. Despite successfully answering nine out of ten questions, the player stumbled on the in-app purchase balance inquiry.

Expressing frustration, the player stated, "I knew all of them except for ONE which was my current in-app purchase balance. How am I supposed to know my IAP on an account I've held since 2016?". Despite providing substantial additional information, such as recent trades, account creation date, level, and mobile device history, Niantic refused to reinstate account access until the outstanding security question was answered.

The player is now left to grapple with the reality that their shiny Pokemon and legendary creatures have been lost, and the money spent on in-app purchases has gone to waste. The unhelpful response from Niantic customer support leaves them with few options for recovery at this time.

This incident sheds light on the challenges faced by players when account security systems become overly rigid. While necessary to protect sensitive information, these measures can inadvertently lead to the loss of valuable game progress. It serves as a reminder for players to ensure they understand the specific requirements and limitations associated with their account credentials to avoid similar frustrations in the future.