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Niantic released a new avatar update for Pokemon GO today and players are not happy with it as the game received massive community backlash.
On April 18th, 2024, Niantic implemented a new update to Pokemon Go, promising new avatar customization options for players.
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
However, what was meant to be an update to give players for freedom to express their creativity on their characters quickly turned sour, with plenty of players being very upset with what the update has done to their assisting avatars.
But what happened? What caused the sudden community backlash for the new backlash?
No one asked for this. Revert it. pic.twitter.com/vlWckMonBX
— Aninymouse (@Aninymouse) April 18, 2024
Take a look at one of the pictures in the comments of the post above, and the issue quickly reveals itself.
The character update has brought many controversial features to the avatar customization functions, especially when it is forced upon the players. Now logging into the game, players find their avatar heavily changed by the model updates.
Taking the post above as an example, you may notice the skin colors of the avatars are now suddenly a lot duller when compared to the older models. The face of the model has also changed significantly, with many people not pleased with how they look.
And this is not the only example, many other players have expressed that the skin colors are now a significant downgrade, with some even saying that it feels ashy and doughy.
this is so bad, why is the skintone all ashy now? why do people look so doughy??? I hate this update sm fuck niantic https://t.co/wCWXwTHwdJ pic.twitter.com/5L4Gx9BhXc
— Pink5G (@zysets) April 17, 2024
Furthermore, one notable part that players are expressing is that the new model’s anatomical proportions gave off an uncanny valley vibe as they feel the bodies seem disproportionate and awkward.
Have you seen the new PoGo avatars!? Here’s my little misshapen monstrosity. Before and after photos. Why is the model standing like that? Why are the animations so awkward? 😫 Which options fix the disproportionate hands, feet, arms, legs, torso, and backside? 🤮🚮😭 #PokémonGO pic.twitter.com/MYUCs4c0DC
— SweetPoison13 (@Sweet13Poison) April 19, 2024
Aside from that, many have also noticed that while they added more customization for most parts of the body, the option to change the hips of the character is not included in the list, meaning that it is impossible to let your character have any curves whatsoever.
🤮🤢 #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
Niantic just said “Human proportions and anatomy? Naaaaah, who needs them” https://t.co/DjszReePzm pic.twitter.com/hEidC6Zvl9
— KetrinDarkDragon (@KetrinDreamDump) April 18, 2024
That’s not all, various bugs are also present on the model itself, with many outfits and body proportions straight up glitching out, causing textures to disappear and holes to appear on the bodies of the avatars.
There is even a ‘bug’ where with a certain body type, you can see a less desirable part of the underbody, though it may be best if we don’t show an example here.
Pokemon Go avatar update is funny, as expected pic.twitter.com/BwtbSI7UHX
— Trepe The Modder (@trepeserafin) April 19, 2024
I also just noticed this, with the new update; there’s now a hole in the back of my avatar’s head. 😂
GG Niantic, you fucking morons!! #PokemonGO #Niantic pic.twitter.com/kf8IIFivJf
— XxCL0UDxX1️⃣9️⃣9️⃣0 🎮 (@XxCL0UDxX1990) April 19, 2024
Avatar customization is a huge part of Pokemon Go! as many players would want to have a way of representing themselves in some way or another. While the old avatar customizations were a little limited, many players were able to represent themselves well.
As mentioned before, The new avatar update was meant to allow players to freely customize and represent themselves better than ever before, with additional customizations to body types, skin colors, and many other features added.
However, with the models having so many issues, coupled with the fact that the original models are forcefully being changed with the update. It’s no surprise that long-time players will be upset with this change, as they would have already gotten attached to the old models.
