Pokemon Go Tracking Improvements Introduce Sightings and Better Nearby System

The Nearby tracker for Pokemon Go has been one of the biggest sources of the love/hate relationship that fans have for Niantic Labs' mobile game.

Previously, it had been a fairly easy-to-use feature, as it shows which ‘mons are nearest the player depending on the number of steps. Then one issue after another happened, which turned the Nearby into a fairly useless feature that doesn't discriminate distance to basically one that can't be used at all.

Now Niantic Labs has rolled out a new update that aims to deliver improvements to the Pokemon Go Nearby tracker.

The following changes can be seen in the patch notes of the iOS App Store and Google Play Store:

> Added a dialogue to remind Trainers that they should not play while traveling above a certain speed. Trainers must confirm that they are not driving in order to continue playing.

> Made improvements to the accuracy of a curveball throw

> Fixed a bug that prevented "Nice," "Great," and "Excellent" Poke Ball throws from awarding the appropriate experience bonuses

> Fixed achievements showing incorrect Medal icons

> Enabled the ability for Trainers to change their nickname one time, so please choose your new nickname wisely

> Resolved issues with the battery saver mode and re-enabled this feature

> Added visuals of Team leaders – Candela, Blanche, and Spark

> We're currently testing a variation of the "Nearby Pokemon" feature with a subset of users. During this period, you may see some variation in the nearby Pokemon UI

The last point is actual the highlight of the patch, as it does deliver a new mechanic to the Nearby tracker. Now, fans can expect two kinds of tracking features.

The original Nearby tracker now features the image of a PokeStop behind the Pokemon that can be caught there. And according to a NeoGAF user, when clicked, the app will show the overview of the PokeStop. The map will show a pink icon with three footsteps, and in the minimized Nearby icon at the bottom right, there is an encircled Pokemon, which could be the one shown in the map.

The Nearby tracking system now also has a Sightings mechanic. This shows Pokemon that have been seen in the wild, signified by the patch of grass behind the Pokemon.

While the Sightings section may still have some sort of improvements later on, the change to the Nearby tracking is very useful. I have yet to try the Nearby tracking myself, because somehow Pokemon don't seem to want to appear when I'm near a PokeStop—or anywhere at all, really.

But there really is a Sightings addition, though the most I've seen are grayed out Pokemon in the wild.

Pokemon Go is out in most countries, with only China, India, and Korea waiting for the game.

Read:Twitch broadcasters showing off cheating in Pokemon Go beware.

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