Pokémon Go player made a joke that sparked debate over players with disabilities and how the developer has forgotten them, based on changes made since the start of the year.
In a tweet from Aug. 31, longtime player and Pokémon Go personality FleeceKing ironically shared “the best exploit to hatch eggs” and actually explained how to walk.
The video was made to mock hackers for always finding new ways to circumvent the game’s features to complete its content without effort, but it also sparked debate on players with disabilities.
A player who has mobility-impaired issues blamed the user for a joke that could be seen as mocking players with disabilities as well. “This video was a bit poor taste,” they wrote. “Especially being a parent having a child who is soon to be wheelchair bound. This was a big L on your part mate.”
The author defended himself by saying he didn’t mean to mock anyone besides cheaters who exploit features of the game. In the comments, many fans took sides, and some argued the game was made for everyone and that players with disabilities shouldn’t be forgotten.
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This conversation echoed previous community debates that took place in Spring when the developer revealed favoring in-person play in the near future. In that spirit, it added the Campfire feature, which was welcomed by the community.
On the other side, though, it made using Remote Raid Passes harder by doubling their price and adding a daily use limit to them. It made the game less accessible for players who can’t go to in-person activities easily, such as those in remote areas and with disabilities.
Still, the developer hasn’t reverted the changes and is pursuing that direction with the return of Elite Raids and more, so it looks like this isn’t going to change anytime soon.
Published: Aug 31, 2023 12:44 pm