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They drastically changed some algorithms to (seemingly) make more money. They made the pokemon break free MUCH more often with the update about 10 days ago. Yo

by NDizzle 10y ago

They drastically changed some algorithms to (seemingly) make more money. They made the pokemon break free MUCH more often with the update about 10 days ago. You now have to use way more pokeballs to capture things. So much to the point that it's unfun. I don't live near a pokestop so I can't top up quickly. Another thing they did was make it so the pokemon disappear if a range check puts you far enough away from the point of initial contact. Combine that together and nobody can play the game in the car anymore, even if you're not driving! So they spent a bunch of time changing existing features to be less fun without adding any new features that are fun. Not a good idea. I have been playing with my wife and two of my kids. We all stopped playing because it's simply not fun anymore.

mjevans 10y ago
The update also (at least on my Nexus 6P) made GPS related issues dramatically worse; it's like they don't comprehend that in a place with a lot of tall buildings or trees you're not going to get a 'solid' GPS lock a majority of the time. Combine that with a UI popup (mid capture interaction no less) that steels input focus (it stops your ball toss), telling the user something they LITERALLY have no control over fixing, and quite possibly ruining your chance at capturing a more rare Pokemon and it is insanely frustrating.
- riskable 10y ago
  The GPS issues have nothing to do with getting a GPS fix. It's just a plain ol' bug. My GPS is spot-on when using any app other than Pokémon Go which pretty regularly states that the GPS isn't working when I'm holding my phone in my hands to an open sky with no clouds. It doesn't matter what I'm doing or what device I'm using it always shows that GPS error message every 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  - squeaky-clean 10y ago
    > The GPS issues have nothing to do with getting a GPS fix. It's just a plain ol' bug. GPS on phones aren't that accurate, especially downtown, but most applications will filter the data because of that. Ever use Google Maps for directions and make a turn different from what the app is telling you to do? Your car icon will continue down the "correct" path for 15-30 seconds before re-adjusting to the new route. This actually happens all the time, it's just more likely that your GPS is misreporting you as 20m east instead of you taking a different turn, so the app holds off on updating the display until it is more sure. So it's a combination of the two factors. But most apps handle it muuuuch better than P:GO does. Here's a link I was able to find on running apps specifically. Apps that deal with you being on foot will obviously have a harder time determining exactly where you are, as opposed to apps for driving where you're moving faster, in a straight line, and down a grid of streets. http://radianttap.com/blog/2012/comparing-accuracy-of-the-gps-based-running-apps/ http://radianttap.com/blog/2012/comparing-accuracy-of-the-gp...
    - ex3ndr 10y ago
      May be Niantic&co decided to disable google optimized gps location services to not give them such data?
      - lamontcg 10y ago
        Possibly had more to do with blocking GPS cheaters?
Mister_Snuggles 10y ago
I mainly play while on the bus and this has made it a lot more painful than it used to be. Now I mainly focus on it when the bus is in the downtown core (and basically moving at walking pace).
MichaelMoser123 10y ago
maybe they want to start to sell more pokeballs? In the end most games makes their money off a small percentage of power users (aka heavy addicts) who are ready to shell out money for in game purchases - a game does not need a massive following, they need to hook a small circle of friends (015% according to [1]) who are ready to pay. [1] http://venturebeat.com/2014/02/26/only-0-15-of-mobile-gamers-account-for-50-percent-of-all-in-game-revenue-exclusive/ http://venturebeat.com/2014/02/26/only-0-15-of-mobile-gamers...

by NDizzle 10y ago

mjevans 10y ago

The update also (at least on my Nexus 6P) made GPS related issues dramatically worse; it's like they don't comprehend that in a place with a lot of tall buildings or trees you're not going to get a 'solid' GPS lock a majority of the time. Combine that with a UI popup (mid capture interaction no less) that steels input focus (it stops your ball toss), telling the user something they LITERALLY have no control over fixing, and quite possibly ruining your chance at capturing a more rare Pokemon and it is insanely frustrating.

riskable 10y ago
The GPS issues have nothing to do with getting a GPS fix. It's just a plain ol' bug. My GPS is spot-on when using any app other than Pokémon Go which pretty regularly states that the GPS isn't working when I'm holding my phone in my hands to an open sky with no clouds. It doesn't matter what I'm doing or what device I'm using it always shows that GPS error message every 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- squeaky-clean 10y ago
  > The GPS issues have nothing to do with getting a GPS fix. It's just a plain ol' bug. GPS on phones aren't that accurate, especially downtown, but most applications will filter the data because of that. Ever use Google Maps for directions and make a turn different from what the app is telling you to do? Your car icon will continue down the "correct" path for 15-30 seconds before re-adjusting to the new route. This actually happens all the time, it's just more likely that your GPS is misreporting you as 20m east instead of you taking a different turn, so the app holds off on updating the display until it is more sure. So it's a combination of the two factors. But most apps handle it muuuuch better than P:GO does. Here's a link I was able to find on running apps specifically. Apps that deal with you being on foot will obviously have a harder time determining exactly where you are, as opposed to apps for driving where you're moving faster, in a straight line, and down a grid of streets. http://radianttap.com/blog/2012/comparing-accuracy-of-the-gps-based-running-apps/ http://radianttap.com/blog/2012/comparing-accuracy-of-the-gp...
  - ex3ndr 10y ago
    May be Niantic&co decided to disable google optimized gps location services to not give them such data?
    - lamontcg 10y ago
      Possibly had more to do with blocking GPS cheaters?

Mister_Snuggles 10y ago

I mainly play while on the bus and this has made it a lot more painful than it used to be. Now I mainly focus on it when the bus is in the downtown core (and basically moving at walking pace).

MichaelMoser123 10y ago

maybe they want to start to sell more pokeballs? In the end most games makes their money off a small percentage of power users (aka heavy addicts) who are ready to shell out money for in game purchases - a game does not need a massive following, they need to hook a small circle of friends (015% according to [1]) who are ready to pay. [1] http://venturebeat.com/2014/02/26/only-0-15-of-mobile-gamers-account-for-50-percent-of-all-in-game-revenue-exclusive/ http://venturebeat.com/2014/02/26/only-0-15-of-mobile-gamers...