Pokemon Go is a title that took the mobile gaming industry by storm and was an instant hit among fans of the Japanese media franchise. The gameplay loop, which encouraged people to catch Pokémon by finding them in the real world, was a unique experience and a differentiator for the title.
Now, the title, which came out in 2016, has received a new update, which has become a talking point for game players. The new update has affected the player avatars in the game, and it suffices to say that players are dissatisfied with it.
Pokemon Go Players Believe That the Title’s Player Avatars Look Horrendous With New Update
If one goes to the subreddit for the game, it doesn’t take long to come across a post about the game’s latest update, which is being blamed for completely ruining the quality of player avatars. Many users posted their thoughts using memes, compared the visual state of player avatars side by side, and expressed their opinions by comparing the new Player avatars to the ones in Ark: Survival Evolved.
For example, a user shared this meme on the page, and the community seemed to agree as the post received more than two thousand upvotes:
One of the most hilarious comments on the photo was the one that made the comparison between the mobile game and the action-adventure survival video game Ark: Survival Evolved.
For the ready reference of readers, one can compare the current state of the player avatars in the title before and after the update in the post below, and the difference is easily perceptible:
Some people even stated they weren’t interested in playing the game anymore because of the changes made to the avatars. The point of avatars in a game is to ensure that players can feel a sense of ownership when they play, and altering them is a valid reason for backlash.
Some Gamers Blame Niantic Layoffs for the Current State of Pokemon Go
Niantic, the studio that developed Pokemon Go, announced layoffs in 2023, and the company slashed approximately 25% of its workforce. The interesting fact about it was that the decision was motivated by the company’s agenda to prioritize the title above.
The fact that the company released a major update after the layoffs and was met with backlash from most players does not paint a good picture of the studio. Interestingly, the patch notes mention that the update was supposed to increase the ability to customize one’s player avatar and allow them to customize the avatar’s body structure.
While it is a step in the right direction, which would promote inclusiveness in the game community, it is certainly something to ponder if the entire community is expressing its dislike and displeasure so vocally.
What do you think of the update for Pokemon Go if you play the title? Is it a step in the right direction, or should it be rolled back? We would love to know your thoughts in the comment section below.
