PokerStars, always looking to improve the poker experience for all its customers, has set in motion a comprehensive plan to enhance the experience and re- emphasize the more fun and social aspects of online poker.

It was announced through a press release on November 1st via the PokerStars Blog: “ Poker is a fun game that we love and our responsibility is to make sure that every player at PokerStars — advanced, recreational or new – can enjoy this game as much as we do.»

It’s been a while now, that the red spade room has put emphasis on attracting new players: “We believe that the combination of a new VIP club program, the release of innovative new games and broad-based consumer marketing campaigns – including new campaigns featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr – will put the poker ecosystem on the right tracks to deliver growth for the years to come.”

The red spade room is also looking to complement the market- side of the plan, with new policies that reinforce the fundamental elements of the human competition by limiting third party softwares that may provide an unfair advantage to some players- check out the article where we shared this news with you!-.

Here’s a summary with the changes coming to PokerStars in 2016:

Introduction of VIP Steps
• Simplified rewards mechanism replaces FPPs, Stellar Rebates, and Milestone Rewards with StarsCoin.
• StarsCoin value will be one cent each for all statuses.

Reducing Rewards for High-Volume and High-Stakes Players
• VIP Club rewards will be capped at 30%, impacting mainly high-volume Supernova and SupernovaElite status players.
• PlatinumStar status will have up to a 10% reduction in their overall rewards.
• In recognition of the players who have already-earned SupernovaElite status or will by the end of the year, the benefits cap for players who earn Supernova Elite in 2015 will be 45% in 2016.
• No VPPs for pot-limit and no-limit games with blinds of $5-$10+, 8-game $10-$20+, and other limit games with blinds of $10-$15+. This change is implemented due to high transaction costs and operation costs of monitoring these games.

Third-Party Software Restrictions

“ The game should be about combining logic and an ability to steel your nerves to make that big call or bluff; it shouldn’t be about clicking a button because harvested stats tell you to.” And with those words, PokerStars set in motion a campaing to get rid of aid software.

“Today, we want to make clear that the line will be drawn to preserve poker as a battle of wits and a test of heart. This will only have a direct effect on a small proportion of players and builds upon our responsibility to provide a level playing field for all players.”

Product Innovation & Marketing Investments

PokerStars will continue to invest in marketing campaigns to reach a wider and new audience and to rekindle the interest in those players who have lapsed. With that in mind, they are launching a new worldwide «all in»campaign. “Our investment includes the most significant research and development initiatives in years, some of which will come to market in early 2016, including a standalone PokerStars branded app that we believe will bring a brand new twist to poker.”

The changes to the PokerStars VIP Club will come into effect from January 1, 2016, and new policies on third-party software will come into effect throughout 2016.

“We are confident that these changes will improve the playing experience for all PokerStars players and will drive increased play and more players to the ecosystem.”

What do you think about this changes?