Pokemon GO got an update. Everybody hates it
Pokemon GO got an update focused on the in-game avatars. It offers lots of new options for making the avatars look like their real-world players. But the update has made some avatars look odd, and users aren’t happy.
The update
Pokemon GO and its parent company, Niantic, are rolling out a “Rediscover” campaign aimed at refreshing the game for current users and bringing back previous ones. The updates are to come out in phases, with the first on April 17, then subsequent updates on April 22 and May 5.
On April 17, Pokemon GO released its “Rediscover Yourself” update. The update came with an overhaul of the in-game avatars. Per Pokemon Go’s website, the update will allow users to “express yourself like never before with a range of new avatar customization options in Pokémon GO!”
The update allows users to change their avatars’ body weights, eye colors, skin tones, facial expression, hair length and more. Before, the options were much more limited in terms of body appearance. Users can go to the Appearance section in the Style Shop to access these changes.
Trainers, your avatar can now look even more like YOU!
We’re excited to announce that new avatar customization options are now live in Pokémon GO!#RediscoverGO #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/LHBNC3jR4q— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) April 17, 2024
Reactions on X
Even with all the new customization options, the update isn’t going over well with users. The changes have made some strange-looking avatars for users, with elongated torsos, large hands, loss of figure and uncanny-valley looking faces.
Reactions on X have ranged from outrage to dismay:
🤮🤢 #PokemonGO @NianticLabs this is awful 😭 the way you killed my beautiful avatar. I hate this so much! You lost a customer today pic.twitter.com/WkKoz6y6aF
— Emma (@MsRicoFierce) April 17, 2024
I honestly didn’t think it would be so bad. She looks sick. Someone send help #NotMyAvatar 🙈🙈🙈 #PokemonGo pic.twitter.com/j7KMVMFbTv
— honeyy (@honeyyy_buns) April 17, 2024
If I post the updated avatar pic first with no context and I say the one on the right is the new avatar, people would believe it’s a great graphics update! Unfortunately it’s the other way around… 😔#PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/hqzkJgNcAg
— AMindJoke (@AMindJokePoGo) April 17, 2024
Fun fact: If you put a mask and/or full face “hat” on your avatar, you don’t have to look at the abomination of an update that @PokemonGoApp/@NianticLabs just pushed 🤗#PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/8CV5t5B0m8
— tridentxan (@tridentxan) April 17, 2024
LMAOOOO WHAT IS THIS? I look like a sunken zombie that hasn’t seen the sun in my whole life. @NianticHelp this is so embarrassing for you, fix this garbage 🙄🙈#PokemonGO #PokemonGo #PokemonGOApp #niantic pic.twitter.com/fsPN2KTdz5
— ImLeyla (@ImLeyla50) April 17, 2024
What the heck is this #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/fUcH3IhIQ5
— Liz (@Bluetooters) April 17, 2024
No facial hair option, all the bodies are awkward shapes and somehow despite 15 skin completions they have one closer to purple than they do my actual skin tone. What the heck kind of rollout is this?#PokemonGO @PokemonGoApp pic.twitter.com/rlXiZ4fAAS
— DanOttawa (YouTube) (@DanOttawaPOGO) April 17, 2024
Everyone after the avatar update#PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/lzPpZd1rmk
— KiwiSteve007 (@Kiwisteve5) April 17, 2024
What is Pokemon GO?
Pokemon GO is an augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic with Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. It was released in July 2016 for iOS and Android devices. In the game, players use their smartphones’ GPS to locate, capture, battle and train Pokemon, which appear as if they are in the real world.
Players can explore their surroundings to find Pokemon, visit PokeStops to collect items, participate in Gym battles and compete and trade with other players. The game was a breakout hit when it came out in 2016 and has been praised for its innovative use of AR technology and its ability to encourage outdoor exploration and social interaction among players.
