Listen to Our Hearts

Listen to your heart

When he's calling for you

Listen to your heart

There's nothing else you can do

I don't know where you're going

And I don't know why

But listen to your heart

Before you tell him goodbye...

-- "Listen to Your Heart", Roxette

Last month, I discussed about "the language of money" and how that pertains to Pokémon situations. Part of languages and their use, however - particularly in spoken form - is listening to them as they are used by people. And that may be something that's not happening to a certain capacity. I feel the need to discuss the relevant situations, and to do that, I've also coupled the discussion with the song above, which ought to tie in with them.

The situation last month, of course, dealt with remote raid passes in Pokémon Go and startling developments related to them. They were made without player (Trainer) feedback and even now they still don't accommodate feedback... except maybe for some recently introduced "panic" responses to what followed. At that point in time, the players campaigned with the hashtag #HearUsNiantic in hopes that the relevant party might do just that, but this has mostly been in vain, even with the evident repercussions.

Meanwhile, in Pokémon Unite, a similar situation may be occurring with its developer, Tencent. Pokémon that obviously need adjustments are not being adjusted, features stated to be modified aren't being so, events are becoming rather repetitive and show a lack of creative effort, and some profound changes were made with significant impact to play. Some players have similarly been in uproar, and the repercussions could turn from a minor turning away to full-on abandonment, which could be hard for a young game.

With all that's happened, the message of the song is circumstantially relevant. The song itself speaks to the mind of a lover who may be situated within a deteriorating relationship, and it asks the lover to consider responding (listening) to the outreach of the partner before the relationship may proceed to deteriorate further. In the same way, the two developers above ought to reassess the situation and listen to player concerns, lest the situation becomes a way of "saying goodbye" to them - yet another eerily familiar concern.

As it stands, both popular Pokémon games above are appearing to be suffering from similar symptoms - changes made that don't accommodate player feedback and have flawed execution. Like what the song suggests, the most effective solution may be to go into the hearts of everyone and listen to what they suggest. Beyond language in any form, what is in there may serve as the understanding that is truly needed.

One year ago: More Online Statuses for Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Three Bears

Three years ago: Missed Pokémon Merchandise in Snacks

Four years ago: Watching in Style, with Friends

Five years ago: To Know the Unknown

Six years ago: You Are Blessed