"The game has become much more boring": Pokemon GO player remarks about latest reported Poke Ball throw changes

Since its launch in 2016, Pokemon GO has attracted many players with its challenges and beloved Pocket Monsters. However, recent reported changes to the game’s mechanics, specifically the physics of Poke Ball throws, have left much of the community disheartened. Many have taken to social media platforms to express their frustrations.

BarneyNerd, a dedicated player aiming to reach level 50, recently shared thier disappointment on Reddit. They highlighted a significant drop in their ability to land excellent throws – a key element for gaining experience points (XP).

"Since the modification that changed the way pokeballs are thrown was introduced, the game has become much more boring. One of my goals was to reach level 50, and the most enjoyable way to do so was by going for a walk and trying to hit as many excellent throws as possible"

Thoughts on the recent changes to the 'physics of pokeball throws' byu/BarneyNerd inpokemongo

"I think I went from hitting about 60-70% of excellent throws to a mere 10-20%. Previously, during a walk, I could farm about 100k exp, but now I think I'm around 20k. If the goal is to farm exp, the most sensible method now seems to rely solely on friend gifts, and I find that this dynamic makes the game boring."

BarneyNerd's sentiments echo a broader community frustration: the mobile title, once engaging and rewarding, now feels tedious and less enjoyable.

BarneyNerd stirred up an interested discussion among other Pokemon GO players (Image via Reddit)

User steak_dilemma, felt validated by the discussion, having noticed similar issues where Poke Balls would bounce off Pocket Monsters without triggering the catch animation, leading to lost throws. This anomaly has made players question their own skills and the game’s mechanics.

therealSteckel recounted their struggle with hitting excellent throws on Furfrou, a Pokemon usually regarded as an easy target to catch.

"Dude, I couldn't even hit excellent on furfrou yesterday. After the change, I tried to work out the new mechanics and was hitting about a 33% success rate over the last few days. Not as good as it used to be, but I was getting there. As of yesterday morning, either my skill is gone or the throw changed again somehow. Every time I failed to catch, I minorly adjusted, but the minor adjustment ended up being way different than the previous throw and I couldn't dial it in for anything. I only hit 3 excellents yesterday, out of about 40 pokemon"

This inconsistency in throw mechanics has left players feeling demoralized and unsure of their abilities.

Pokemon GO players talk about how the recent ball throw changes are affecting their experiences (Image via Reddit)

GalacticGoku expressed how the changes have made the game feel like a waste of time. With their manual throw attempts being less effective than an automatic Bluetooth device, they believe the enjoyment of catching Pokemon during walks has diminished.

Pokemon GO players have voiced various personal difficulties disrupting the gameplay (Image via Reddit)

FlowerFaerie13 shared a personal challenge, citing eyesight problems that make landing excellent throws difficult. This highlights how the reported changes have disproportionately affected players with varying abilities and skill levels.

Dazelord, a veteran with over 300,000 Pokemon caught, described the supposed changes as "game-breaking."

Comment byu/BarneyNerd from discussion inpokemongo

He pointed out that the muscle memory developed over years of play is now almost useless, urging others to file bug reports and join discussions in other Pokemon GO subreddits.

The community’s collective frustration suggests that these rumored changes have fundamentally disrupted the gameplay experience.

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What are the reported Poke Ball throw changes in Pokemon GO?

Recent reported Poke Ball throw changes in Pokemon GO (Image via The Pokemon Company)

The latest reported changes in Pokemon GO's Poke Ball throws have led to various issues. Players are experiencing decreased accuracy in throws, leading to lower catch rates and XP gains, causing frustration among those who depend on these bonuses for progression.

Additionally, varying throw distances result in Poke Balls either overshooting or not achieving the desired curveball effect, complicating the capture of distant or active Pokemon.

A suspected collision detection bug, where Poke Balls disappear before contact due to certain Pokemon animations, further exacerbates these issues, although it has not been officially recognized by Niantic.

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The combined effect of these issues has led to widespread dissatisfaction among Pokemon GO players. The frustrations extend beyond just missing throws; there is a notable drop in catch rates and XP gains. For many trainers, this has disrupted their progression and enjoyment of the game.

As Niantic continues to update and evolve Pokemon GO, it is crucial for them to address these concerns. Ensuring that the game remains fun and rewarding for players of all skill levels is essential for maintaining the community’s enthusiasm and engagement. For now, however, many trainers are left hoping for a resolution that restores the game’s former appeal.

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