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'Pokémon Go' Updates With Avatar Customization, Removal of Footstep Counter, and More

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An update to Pokémon Go rolled out to iOS and Android devices today, bringing new features to the game along with a few slight shifts in the user interface. One of the biggest new additions is the opportunity for players to customize their avatar (which was previously only allowed when starting the game), giving the chance for added personalization in Pokémon Go.

pokemon go update 1
One of the longest-running gripes surrounding Niantic and The Pokémon Company's new mobile game was a glitch that suggested all "nearby" Pokémon were three steps away from the player. The intended game mechanic was meant to vaguely point players in the direction of an elusive character, with the steps shrinking to two, one, and eventually none when the Pokémon was nearby. Niantic doesn't seem to have an exact fix for the three-step glitch as of yet, and has simply removed the footstep counter from the nearby menu altogether.

The developer also took some constructive criticism from gamers and moved the transfer button from the very bottom of a Pokémon's profile, and it now resides in a circular hamburger menu at the bottom right of the screen. When tapped on, players can choose to favorite the character, or transfer it to receive the candy of that Pokémon. Favorited Pokémon are also now protected from being transferred accidentally.

pokemon go update 2
Once inside of the new update for Pokémon Go, users will notice a few other minor tweaks as well. Niantic has changed the font inside some of the game's menus, making character combat power and names slightly easier to read. The company also tweaked a few of the game's medals, adjusted the battle damage of some Pokémon, improved the app's memory issues so it loads quicker, and a handful of other things.

Check out Pokémon Go on the App Store [Direct Link] for the full list of updates in version 1.1.0 of the app.

Previous Coverage: Pokémon Go Set App Store Record for Most Ever Downloads During its First Week of Availability

Top Rated Comments

130 months ago
They also removed the power save in settings.
Yeah that's cause it was junk and was causing the game to crash at least half the time it was used. So many times I turned back upright and had to force restart game cause it was unresponsive.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
130 months ago
Finally I get to use an avatar that looks like me.



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bushido Avatar
130 months ago
Did they remove the cancerous IAP model and improve the gameplay elements it affects? Of course not.
Did they remove the invasive stops/gyms? Doubt it.
Would like a good pay-once Pokémon game for iOS.
Will not be fleeced by intentionally crippled mobile games.
#BoycottIAP

Guild of Dungeoneering ('http://www.guildofdungeoneering.com/') was nice to see, on the other hand. Make a clever game and charge for it directly.. what a crazy notion.
You dont have to pay to play the game at all
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
130 months ago
Did they remove the cancerous IAP model and improve the gameplay elements it affects? Of course not.
Did they remove the invasive stops/gyms? Doubt it.
Would like a good pay-once Pokémon game for iOS.
Will not be fleeced by intentionally crippled mobile games.
#BoycottIAP

Guild of Dungeoneering ('http://www.guildofdungeoneering.com/') was nice to see, on the other hand. Make a clever game and charge for it directly.. what a crazy notion.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
130 months ago
The quality of this software is extremely poor. They've now removed two features, the map that shows where you caught a Pokemon and the footstep counter. I'm not even talking about the server issues, the app is unbearably buggy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mercifull Avatar
130 months ago
Rural Pokemon hunting was painful as it was even WITH sites like PokeVision as often the nearest Pokemon would be longer walking distance away than the time left on his timer.

Now there's no way of knowing what areas Pokemon are in and the tracking function no longer exists at all.

Rural Pokemon go players just got shafted by niantic even more.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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