The line that demarcates this universe and the Pokémon one is about to be redrawn in a festive spirit. Those fantastic blokes at Niantic, responsible for the absolute beast that is Pokémon GO, have released a forced update on all devices. This isn’t mere housekeeping; it is the stage-setting for the gargantuan Lunar New Year event. In the competitive world of live-service gaming, the calendar is king, and missing a holiday event isn’t an option for developers or players.
The AR Stability Fix
The update resolves an important issue before the celebrations start, so take note! Players’ experiences of jitters and crashes when attempting to catch Pokémon in AR+ mode, where the creature appears as if it were standing on the actual sidewalk right in front of you. The latest patch should also fix the integration of the gyroscope and camera feed. It’s what keeps the Pokémon sitting on the park bench when you point your phone at it, instead of letting them clip through the floor. Rooting your fantasy is important for immersion.
Enter the Snake
The content update is a treasure trove for data mining. It’s a pre-load of assets for the ‘Year of the Snake’ event. This includes rotating the “spawn tables” — intricate spreadsheets that determine where which monsters can be found. Pinap Berries are going to bring out the serpentine Pokémon even more than normal. These updates are “forced” because everyone has to be singing from the same song sheet; if your phone doesn’t have the new information, it can hardly be expected to display the new creatures your friend standing next to you is seeing.
Global Challenges
The update also contains code for global cooperative challenges, a feature Niantic uses to bring together fragmented players. The app rewards everyone by tallying collective catches worldwide. It transforms a solitary stroll in the park into a part of a worldwide effort. Update your app, or you will be left standing at the virtual gate as the party gets started without you.
