Pokémon Go is still evolving. Anecdotally, the game’s been dropping players thanks to changes that have made it a little less engaging. Newer changes may make it just as appealing as it was when it launched though, bringing back the thrill of hunting Pokémon in the wild.
For those that don’t like putting in the hard work and favour cheating, Pokémon Go has been rather lenient. For whatever Reason, Niantic’s only handed down temporary soft bans to Pokémon Go cheaters, letting them continue their nefarious ways hours later. That’s changing.
Niantic is going to start swinging the banhammer at those who use bots or location-spoofing to hunt digital critters. The game’s website has an updated terms of service that now includes a ban appeal. That is, if you’ve been banned, you can fill in a form to have that ban overturned – provided you aren’t indeed a dirty cheater.
What might get you banned? According to the site, this:
“This includes, but is not limited to: falsifying your location, using emulators, modified or unofficial software and/or accessing Pokémon Go clients or backends in an unauthorized manner including through the use of third-party software.”
According to Niantic, they want their carrot-and-stick mobile game to be fun and fair.
“Our goal is to provide a fair, fun and legitimate game experience for everyone. We will continue to work with all of you to improve the quality of the gameplay, including ongoing optimization and fine tuning of our anti-cheat system.”
Some of the more prolific Pokémon Go bots are shutting down in light of the move to permanently ban users.
Are you still playing Pokémon Go – or has your interest in the critter-catching game waned?
Last Updated: August 15, 2016
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
August 15, 2016 at 09:16
I have enough things to play, but will pick it up once it releases officially here.
VampyreSquirrel
August 15, 2016 at 09:18
Still playing, but still not going out of my way to go hunting until they fix the tracking.
Wish they’d officially release it here tho.
Audacity (or-das-it-eeee-eee)
August 15, 2016 at 09:19
I’m concerned they ban users in SA
Ottokie
August 15, 2016 at 09:34
Yup, I got softbanned once because the GPS showed me one spot and then suddenly ran miles to my current location and boom. softban for 12 hours
VampyreSquirrel
August 15, 2016 at 09:46
That’s crazy. my GPS Thankfully doesn’t chuck me into another postal code.
Ottokie
August 15, 2016 at 09:46
This was from my work place to my home just 10km away. As I started it up I just saw my char running like crazy towards my home xD
VampyreSquirrel
August 15, 2016 at 09:48
xD!!!!
Furthest mine has chucked me was about 500m away.
Ottokie
August 15, 2016 at 09:49
I do have my phone set to GPS only mode to save data so guess that’s what caused it xD
Matthew Holliday
August 15, 2016 at 14:35
My GPS regularly gets drunks and sends me wandering, but its usually only 100m or so
VampyreSquirrel
August 15, 2016 at 15:06
Same here, it helps with egg hatches though.
Matthew Holliday
August 15, 2016 at 15:27
All out of incubators and theyr way too expensive in the store. 30 more coins and I can buy two though.
but the potential XP from lures/eggs/incense is just far better
VampyreSquirrel
August 15, 2016 at 09:49
Yeah… it’s ok if they ban the e-mail account… I don’t really mind starting again, though it’ll take me a month to get to lvl 19 again.
Ottokie
August 15, 2016 at 09:56
I will flippen install candy crush if they do that xD
VampyreSquirrel
August 15, 2016 at 10:14
I’ll ignore your existence.
Geoffrey Tim
August 15, 2016 at 09:56
It’s taken me since launch to get to level 8…where i still am. 😀
Matthew Holliday
August 15, 2016 at 14:37
If I have to relive the grind that is level 22, I am going to cry.
100k xp =/
GooseZA
August 15, 2016 at 09:20
Can I just say that the image on your homepage for this story is hysterical. Top job.
Admiral Chief - Check
August 15, 2016 at 09:25
😀
Ottokie
August 15, 2016 at 09:35
GOOD!
http://www.relatably.com/m/img/internet-meme-angry-cat/053013_grumpycatmoviefeat-250×250.jpg
Ottokie
August 15, 2016 at 09:38
“modified or unofficial software” ummm isn’t this bad new for all of us in SA? Since we use an API to install
VampyreSquirrel
August 15, 2016 at 09:47
My APK is signed by Niantic… but they may still be bitches about us playing in an “unreleased” area.
Ottokie
August 15, 2016 at 09:51
O well, it’s not like we actually play this game a lot anymore xD
Matthew Holliday
August 15, 2016 at 14:38
hopefully theyll realise that if they punish us for using the APK, theyd end up banning 2/3 of their player base from the areas with delayed releases.
Truth Hurts!
August 15, 2016 at 09:41
I deleted my account (was at Lv 30). I admit, I cheated a with a bot and sniping. There is no real incentive to “play” this “game”. Tracking sucks, no Pokemon and Pokestops in my area and you can’t have one on one battles (there is no real battle system). Just got very boring, very quickly.
Matthew Holliday
August 15, 2016 at 14:44
I made a new trainer account and tested out the “play on PC” thing for an hour or two, but removing the social aspect of the game just all took all the fun out of it.
The best part of the game is using the nostalgia value as an excuse to get out the house, meet up with friends outside of the usual “lets braai” or “wanna come round and play computer games?” social routine.
back to meet ups and going out for coffee runs at random ass times of the day
RinceThis
August 15, 2016 at 12:33
Not interested…
Darren Peach
August 15, 2016 at 13:59
I have a good idea for a better app. Hunt Pokemon Go players…
Matthew Holliday
August 15, 2016 at 14:46
Wouldnt make for much of a hunt.
we’d be to busy looking at our phones to notice that one of our herd was taken out.