The latest update of Pokémon GO sparks controversy, prompting players to request refunds for in-game purchases

This is very sad news for Pokémon GO : the latest graphics update is not at all appreciated by players. Not to mention hated, the graphics upgrade mainly changes the design of player avatars. Sold as “allowing players to have a character that looks like the players”, the feedback is unanimous: we need to go back and return to the old designs.

See Pokémon Scarlet/Purple on Amazon

Social networks have gone wild and do not leave Nianticthe game development studio, time to respond. Many aggressive messages can be read on social networks. Unlike download platforms like Google Play Or Apple Storewhich oddly seem to have almost none.

Nobody asked for this. I don't have the words…

Obviously, such comments are accompanied by a myriad of images comparing the before and after. The differences are particularly notable and we can understand the annoyance of trainers. Especially since it is impossible to go back.

A few people even made a joke, claiming that we could get our old avatar back, only if we purchase the “recovery” feature. A joke that makes you laugh, but a joke that also scares you. It would be a shame if so many unhappy people couldn't change things.

“They RUINED my character”

On the left, the old visual and on the right, the new visual. Changes that give the impression of coming from a completely different game, that's the overall feeling from players. That said, it's not just this graphical update that has trainers upset, but also the fact that they've lost what they spent money on. Indeed, in Pokémon GOthe microtransactions system allows us to buy clothes to dress our avatar as we want. But because of this more “realistic” upgrade, players end up with clothing that no longer has the design of what they bought it for!

The reason for all this would be linked to a collaboration with a rather well-known company in the sector: GaymerX. Its mission is to better represent LGBTQ+ people in video games. It is linked to another very large company: Sweet Baby Inc. This is unfortunately very controversial and several controversies concern it. However, Niantic still decided to do business with them, in order to create this update on the players' avatars. We hope for the trainers that they will be heard, but it may take time.