Pokemon Go losing steam?

Since the launch of popular location-based game Pokemon Go in July, American software development company Niantic has faced several complaints on where they have chosen to locate Poke-stops and gyms. 

While the revival of the popular 90s video game has come with widespread popularity, it has also seen its fair share of controversies over the past few months.

And according to Android Authority, the latest data from a variety of app and market intelligence firms report that the latest poke-craze is starting to fade, with its usership on the decline.

So, let’s take a look at some of the backlash Niantic has had to deal with:

Niantic, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have faced lawsuits from individuals upset by players trespassing on their property. And others are upset with where some Pokemon hubs are located—one couple are annoyed the game keeps drawing gamers to a park close to their home. The lawsuit asks that a share of Pokemon Go’s revenue be given to residents.

Niantic received major backlash when they placed gyms at tactless locations, namely the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. People were also seen playing the game at the Holocaust Museum and 9/11 Memorial site in the U.S., and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan. These institutions have since requested that its visitors refrain from playing the game at these locations, and the gyms at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum were taken down.

Volkswagen has banned its employees from playing the game out of fear of corporate espionage—they don’t want employees accidentally snapping a photo of important documents. The companies’ approximately 70,000 employees aren’t even allowed to have the app downloaded on their phone.

Iran banned the game altogether, citing security concerns.

In Missouri, four suspects were arrested for allegedly luring Pokemon Go players to a location where they then robbed them.

There are also plans for New York to ban sex offenders from playing the game while they’re on parole.

Who decides where these stops go anyway?

The pokestops and gyms originated from Niantic’s previous geolocation game Ingress. These locations were chosen based on historical and cultural landmarks. Other locations are based on geo-tagged photos on Google, where people uploaded photos of a location, and recommendations from Ingress players. Niantic used to accept requests for new gym and stop locations, but that's long gone. Now, it allows requests for locations to be removed.

Either way, all of these complaints have resulted in a crackdown by Niantic, who have inexplicably taken down several popular stops and gyms, even without the request of property owners. And this hasn’t made fans very happy.

4 Poke-stops were removed from a public library.

Several stops were removed from the South Carolina Statehouse.

Guess you can’t keep everyone happy…

via GIPHY