In an increasing number of problems plaguing the addictive Pokémon hunting smartphone titles, developers Niantic now have a bigger, more pressing issue to deal with. While they wrangle the slight PR nightmare they find themselves in after removing tracking and third-party support entirely from Pokémon Go, Niantic now are hurrying to fix a more fundamental issue. A bug that is forcing Pokémon to escape far more frequently.
What some players thought was simply a result of rebalancing Niantic has confirmed as an issue with the game, with weaker Pokémon taking far more Pokéballs than normal to capture. Worse yet is that the flee rate has also been affected, meaning captures of stronger, more rare Pokémon are now an even more sweat inducing affair than in the past. Niantic are working on it as fast as they can, with an update not too far off hopefully.
Trainers, a new bug affecting throw accuracy increases the odds of escape and omits the XP bonus. We are working on a fix, stay tuned…
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) 4 August 2016
It does however add to the growing list of headaches players are being forced to deal with, which already include a now completely luck-based hunting experience that is worsened by the exponential experience curves that the game throws at you at higher levels. Pokémon GO has an undeniably incredible first month, but the frequency at which Niantic seems to be losing their grip on things is a little troubling. They’ve promised the return of tacking soon while combating bugs like these, but the patience of players is wearing thin.
It’s worse still when you consider that this bug affects non-playing players in particular, given that Pokéballs are tied to in-game transactions. A rare commodity at the best of times, having Pokémon flee more easily just means players are wasting more of this precious resource for no reward – unless they decide to cough up some dough to buy a bunch extra. It’s why so many simply thought Niantic had become a little greedy with balancing, tipping the scales in the paying favour.
And it’s perceptions like these that are dangerous to the future of Pokémon GO, as players start slipping away after being unable to deal with its shortcomings any longer. I’m not personally at that stage yet, but I feel it coming soon.
Last Updated: August 5, 2016
Generic ZA
August 5, 2016 at 11:36
So are they re-branding it as Pokémon GONE?
For the Emperor!
August 5, 2016 at 11:36
Comment of the week!
Pariah
August 5, 2016 at 11:49
Do you think there’s time enough for him to still win it? I hope so, this is genius.
Admiral Chief - Check
August 5, 2016 at 11:40
Haha
For the Emperor!
August 5, 2016 at 11:38
I only use it as an excuse to walk outside during lunch times. Without tracking, I am not going to walk around aimlessly – I would rather go walk/run/cycle/row at the gym where I have a GREAT view http://www.kappit.com/img/pics/201603_0928_diedh_sm.jpg
HairyEwok
August 5, 2016 at 11:40
Thing is the pokemon started getting more wise and noticed the harsh living environment the pokeball gives them, thats why they’re escaping. It wont be long before they have enough R&D and start throwing balls at us.
Ottokie
August 5, 2016 at 11:41
HairyEwok
August 5, 2016 at 12:23
Team valor huehuehuehue! Bunch of psychos.
VampyreSquirrel
August 5, 2016 at 11:42
You’re welcome.
Ottokie
August 5, 2016 at 11:55
Mind blown…
This is gonna keep me awake all night
Skoobaz
August 5, 2016 at 13:27
aww snap
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
August 5, 2016 at 12:14
Pokemon be like
https://media.giphy.com/media/bmmOc9jTRWyQ0/giphy.gif
Matthew Holliday
August 5, 2016 at 13:42
With the grind of trying to keep your stock of pokeballs and potions up, buying items is looking increasingly tempting, but then I remember how quickly I can go through 200 pokeballs and its just not a sustainable option.
R100 for 100 pokeballs basically.
That shop looks like it can get real expensive, real fast.
But at the same time, I dont want to spend 2 hours walking between my local pokestops to stock up…
Between the hackers, the walks starting to get tedious and not knowing where these damned pokemon are, Im reaching the end of my rope now.