"Pokemon GO v0.31.0 Update [Megathread] - Bug fixes, new options, and a major mechanic change"

#PokemonGO: Alright travelers, this is a big moment in Pokemon GO history.For those unfamiliar with Niantic's development practices, playing their games can be an awesome journey - but it is a journey. Features and lore are added over time, and the depth of gameplay will evolve. This game has only been out for 3 weeks, and we're already seeing major updates.A new version update for Pokemon GO has begun rolling out, and we expect it will be available everywhere soon. This brings several changes to the app! We'll break it down:The AwesomeAvatars - We are seeing an option to customize trainer appearance (after creation)! This bodes well for future customizeability.Battle - For those who missed it, Damage Per Second (DPS) has been revamped for nearly every move in the game, bringing balance to the force. This makes combat immensely more fun. See the /research section for the updated DPS.Nest Shakeup - A majority of nests around the world are now spawning different species! It's great to see species variety like this, though it appears certain species (Dratini...) have been made significantly more difficult to acquire for now.Transfer Button - This button is no longer at the bottom of the Pokemon details screen! This will make transferring much more efficient. You are also prevented from accidentally transferring a 'favorite' pokemon. (nice! thanks to /u/beardie88 for this: http://ift.tt/2ahLj6s)Bug fixes - Tons of bug fixes in this update, including with maps, Gyms, encounters, and memory leaksThe UnknownDamage Calculation - Apart from modifying the DPS for most moves, there appears to be a change to the damage formula itself. Details are scarce right now - research is ongoing!The ControversialDistance Indicator (Steps) - The 'nearby' pane appears to have removed the 'steps' altogether. The last we've heard about the motivation for this controversial decision is that it was due to safety concerns. While we don't necessarily agree with this decision, we'll have to see how it plays out.Fortunately, it at least appears that there's a silver lining:It appears that Pokemon you've spotted on the map now stay on the map for roughly 300m (an increased distance)So while we no longer can use the steps to triangulate Pokemon distance, it appears they should be much easier to actually encounter once they appear on the nearby scanner.A Word about Niantic and The Silph RoadWe all have a love-hate relationship with Niantic sometimes. They've made many great steps forward here, and have recently shared that only 10% of the games planned features are even out yet! But they also make unilateral decision and operate like a Google internal project (ie, frustratingly nonchalant about their users). We just want to share that our sources have shown us that the reality is, they are very aware of what the game's community wants and feels, though it may not feel like it sometimes. Keep in mind that the IP agreements involving TPC, Gamefreak, Niantic, and Nintendo have put this game in a much more complex legal environment than Ingress.Here on the Road we have cultivated an amazing culture of constructive and civil dialog. Whether or not a change is frustrating or puzzling, we will continue to keep the Road free of drama, whining, ragequit threads, etc. There are other subreddits travelers can use if they need to express their disagreements in those ways. :)For those who've been with us for many months, you know that the Silph Road does not turn into a salt mine - even when all around us it starts raining salt. :) Let's keep the Road a place to go for a good time - not a drama/rant hub.Overall, this change shows great momentum on Niantic's part. They've overcome crippling server issues, continue to launch in new markets, and are adding great features and even small usability tweaks (like the 'transfer button' tweak) based on community feedback. Though we may not love every change, we're still looking forward to what's to come.We'll update this thread as we learn more.Travel safe,- dronpes - via /r/TheSilphRoad http://ift.tt/2ahGmuy