When the latest "Pokemon GO" update became live a few days ago, it seems that the world's most popular game suddenly became the world's most hated. Overnight, Niantic Labs incurred the wrath of millions of games worldwide when the developer decided to remove the "Pokemon GO" 3-step tracker.
Finally, Niantic Labs responded to the backlash caused by the latest "Pokemon GO" update. In the official site, the devs explained that the removal of the "Pokemon GO" tracker was done to improve the game's underlying design. While the 3-step tracker is indeed popular, Niantic explains it is confusing and did not meet the goals envisioned for the feature.
For those who are yet to join the craze, the "Pokemon GO" 3-step tracker is a very useful feature in the game. It basically serves as a gauge for players to learn at a glance the proximity of a Pokemon he or she is trying to catch. It is a very simple concept; a three step indicator means the Pokemon is far, a two step indicator meant it is now nearer and a one-step meant that it is very near indeed.
But for weeks preceding the infamous "Pokemon GO" update, the 3-step tracker feature was said to be broken. Players were complaining that the feature is not functioning as it should be and did not accurately estimate the distance of the targeted Pokemon being pursued.
Players were actually looking forward then to the "Pokemon GO" update planned by Niantic thinking that the developer would finally be fixing the broken feature. To their surprise, Niantic did fix the problem but in the most unexpected way; they simply removed the useful "Pokemon GO" 3-step tracker feature.
As one could have guessed, the backlash was immediate. Players all over the world did what they could to make their displeasure felt by Niantic especially in social media and Pokemon GO forums. Japanese players even downvoted the app after the disastrous "Pokemon GO" update resulting to a less than two star ranking in Play Store.
But it seems that Niantic is not totally giving up on the "Pokemon GO" tracker feature. In the same post, Niantic promised that they will be informing players on developments made in improving the useful feature.
The problem for players for now is that with the removal of the 3-step tracker feature in the wake of the recent "Pokemon GO" update, the entire game seems pointless. Commenting to Niantic's post, a player named Jack Cracknell pointed out, "Right now, the entire premise of the game is entirely broken. It's supposed to be 'go out and look for the nearby Pokemon,' but with no tracking system (or site like Pokevision) the game leaves you to aimlessly wander with the mere hope that you run into that Kabutops on your nearby and not the Weedle."
The "Pokemon GO" update likewise limited access to the "Pokemon GO" API. As a result, third party sites which offered Pokemon location services similar to the broken in-game 3-step tracker also ceased to operate.
Now, players clamor that Niantic needs to officially partner with a third party site until they will be able to fix the 3-step tracker feature. However, some players are trying out other sites like SmartPoke 2 that claims to be able to track Pokemons reports GameSpot.
Stay tuned to Game & Guide for the latest "Pokemon GO" updates and news.
