Mirror has reported that the July 31 app update for Pokemon GO removed two key game features.
The game has been plagued with bugs, and creators Niantic were showered with complaints. The July app update was meant to provide fixes to common problems, but some users were distressed by the removal of two key features, which Niantic failed to mention.
“What they didn’t mention is they would also be taking features OUT of the game.”
Firstly, the tracking system has been compromised. This feature is designed to show how close Pokemon are to your location.
“As you move around, the number of footprints change to show if you’re getting closer or further from your target.”
The July update actually removes these icons. The Mirror reports that users were left “baffled as to how to track down their prey.” The report also notes that it “remains unclear whether the order in which Pokemon are displayed is either accurate or in realtime.”
Just saw this and I’m crying.. ??
Whoever did this – BRAVO #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/bmM9QW9nzK
— SIEFE (@Siefe) July 30, 2016
Secondly, the battery saver feature from the previous version of Pokemon GO has been removed. Downloaders of the new app update will not have access to the battery saver feature — Mirror reflects that Pokemon GO is a very “power draining app” and a “battery guzzling game.” The absence of the battery saver will therefore greatly compromise the user experience.
“Not a great move for a power draining app.”
The creators removed the battery saver after users complained about some problems with it. Apparently, Pokemon GO fans were complaining that “phones would not come out of the dimmed power saving mode” when the player tried to wake the screen. Many players were forced to restart the game, though some discovered that they could continue if they used their phones upside, to wake the screen.
Niantic did not warn users that the features would be removed in the new version.
“Whatever the reason, removing the feature was not listed amongst the changes in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.”
#PokemonGO PSA: Pokémon Promo is a fake website claiming to unlock Legendary Pokémon. The site is a scam to obtain personal information.
— Pokémon GO News (@PokemonGoNews) July 31, 2016
Users were also disappointed recently when a Pokemon Promo website that claimed to be able to unlock legendary Pokemon was exposed as a fake.
GameInformer reports that a number of app improvements have succeeded in improving Pokemon GO gameplay, though the report also laments the loss of third-party tracking or Pokevision.
“An update (version 0.31.0 on Android, 1.1.0 on iOS) for Pokémon Go released last night, bringing a host of improvements, while also adding some new problems. The three-step glitch that many players noted has been fixed by removing footprints entirely. Unfortunately, that now means finding Pokémon is even more based on luck than actual tracking. This, in turn, has shut down the third-party app PokéVision, which helped users track Pokémon on a map in real-time.”
Among the improvements are: new achievement medals, re-customization options on the trainer profile screen, and new prompts, such as a prompt warning users to be aware of their surroundings and to not play the game behind the wheel.
The safety prompt is likely to be Niantic’s response to reports of traffic accidents and other unfortunate news stories , reports GameInformer.
The full Niantic patch notes for the July Pokemon GO update are below
- Avatars can now be re-customized from the Trainer profile screen
- Adjusted battle move damage values for some Pokémon
- Refined certain Gym animations
- Improved memory issues
- Removed footprints of nearby Pokémon
- Modified battle damage calculation
- Various bug fixes during wild Pokémon encounter
- Updated Pokémon details screen
- Updated achievement medal images
- Fixed issues with displaying certain map features
- Minor text fixes
Meanwhile, a key Pokemon GO update account is reporting that Niantic may be breaching the terms outlined in their Google Play text agreement. Niantic are not providing sufficient support contact to fulfill the agreement, it has been claimed.
It has been reported that @NianticLabs lack of support contact is a breach of Google Play’s Terms and Conditions. pic.twitter.com/WWGdNYjkuG
— Pokémon GO News (@PokemonGoNews) July 31, 2016
[Image via Pokemon Go]
