One of "Pokemon Go"'s biggest issues is developer Niantic Labs' removal of the in-game Pokemon tracking system, due to a glitchy implementation--but they've apparently been working on a fix. While the "Nearby" function isn't as worthy a replacement as the original tracking system, Niantic has been testing a new tracking feature.
The only problem is that right now, the new "Pokemon Go" tracking system Niantic is working on is still in a beta phase, available only to players around the San Francisco Bay area, according to Polygon. It's geo-locked, and it's not exactly clear how players in the area got it, whether it was through an exclusive update, or the new update turns it on if you happen to be around the Bay.
While that's the good news, the bad news is that Niantic still isn't ready to unleash this new feature on the rest of the "Pokemon Go"-playing world, or what's left of it. "At this moment, there is no estimated timeline to potentially rolling it out wider," a representative told Polygon. Players venting out their frustrations in the "Pokemon Go" Reddit are afraid that if Niantic doesn't come out with the tracker in time for the winter season, just about no one is going to play the game by going around so much in the snow.
"Pokemon Go" players are trying to come up with their own solutions to the tracking problem, but Niantic's strict implementation and handling of their location data--and their general stubbornness when it comes to the game--is making sure that these third-party services get shut down. Angry players are starting to believe that the lack of efficient and effective tracking is the main reason why the game is quickly losing its popularity, not to say anything about the distinct difference between the mobile game and the main franchise.