Pokémon Go developer taking feedback after avatar update backlash

The developer of Pokémon Go, Niantic, is actively seeking player feedback following a mixed reaction to the recent avatar update.

The new avatar system was introduced last week, overhauling all in-game character designs with a more customizable default option. This update includes sliders for adjusting weight and specific body features, along with expanded choices for skin tones and hairstyles.

Despite these enhancements, the update has faced criticism, particularly regarding the appearance of the new avatars’ faces and the abrupt shift in art style. Over the weekend, numerous players expressed their dissatisfaction on social media platforms, with many voicing their concerns on Reddit. One user, claiming to be part of an internal beta test, mentioned that prior feedback was not adequately considered.

In response to the backlash, Niantic’s community manager, Kestral Riot, has been gathering constructive feedback from social media channels, urging the community to remain civil in their comments. In a recent post on social media, it was confirmed that this feedback would be shared with the Pokémon Go development team.

Alongside the avatar update, Niantic has also launched a more positively-received enhancement to the in-game environments. Pokémon encounters now occur in visually rich backgrounds that accurately reflect the player’s current biome. Additionally, an upgrade to the game’s augmented reality (AR) features has been rolled out, allowing players to pose and photograph multiple Pokémon in AR, a feature that has already gone live in Australia.

As Pokémon Go approaches its tenth anniversary, the game’s developers remain focused on its future, exploring ways to sustain and grow its player base.