Pokémon Go players are unhappy with Niantic’s management, accusing the developer of removing popular Routes for no apparent reason despite their high usage.
First introduced in July 2023, Routes offered a new way to play Pokémon Go. This feature allows trainers to create routes based on their walking routes, and then others can follow the path, capturing Pokémon along the way.
In addition to captured Pokémon, Routes also offer faster Buddy Candies, bonus XP, and a Buddy Heart for your active Buddy at the end. Although some Routes were criticized for their questionable layouts, the feature as a whole was praised as a good addition.
However, concerns are now being raised regarding Niantic’s handling of Routes, with some community members wondering why they continue to be removed.
Pokémon Go players furious after removal of Route “used more than 1000 times”
Upset by the removal of one of their Routes, a player shared on Reddit, “Route used over 1000 times, deleted just because,” followed by, “I went back to work last week to see that one route I created when the feature was first implemented has been removed because it is ‘inaccessible’.”
1000+ used Route, deleted just because… byu/Callum1710 inTheSilphRoad
Detailing the Route, they continued, “The route is in London and takes you from Liverpool Street Station south via public streets with pedestrian access and crosses London Bridge where it ends, a common route for most Londoners and even Tourists.”
Others identified with the OP revealing that they had suffered a similar fate, “My first 2 routes that I created were also eventually deleted. Both are well-known walking trails used in parks. Literally, paths designed in parks for people to walk on. But they are now ‘dangerous/inaccessible’ because someone reported them.”
Another trainer of the same opinion responded, “I also had a few Routes removed for the same reason, resubmitted and they were approved and then removed again the next day.”
Theorizing about the reasons for removing the Routes, one post read, “All it takes is one report from an idiot who doesn’t know what he’s doing for them to close the route. It’s completely automated, no humans watch this. Niantic sucks.”
Commenting on Niantic’s removal of these Routes, others responded, “Quality standard work from Niantic. They’re really bad at what they do,” and “Welcome to the Club. I have already informed Niantic about the poor management of the roads…”
According to Niantic, all Route submissions are placed under moderation and must be approved before going live. Additionally, the Pokémon Go developer uses an “exhaustive review process” to determine which Routes are viable.
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