I reject the premise that many people have quit this game because it was complicated. In my experience it is just the opposite. Most people that I know who have quit is because this game is boringly easy. The same game mechanics (catching, battling, etc) and basic game structure since day one. No real challenge to it. Just play more and you'll have better stuff.
GamePress
Status Moves & Abilities
Pokémon GO is based on making a simple but diverse Pokémon game. Many players quit game for complications and that's why they tried to make the game simple. However, they might need to have another think at it. The game is already difficult (Internet, GPS, Walking) to play. I'm not saying that I don't like this game. I love it but because of this I can't convince others to play it. However, after all this we have a very simple gameplay. The current gameplay is like, "Everyone has everything!!". So strategizing is not an important thing. The only personal 'skill' in this game are curveball and dodge. In the current metagame, status moves and abilities are not very much talked about. If they make their way in Pokémon GO, 1 of these 2 things can happen:
1. The game will get a little balance and more diversity. The game will go beyond data simulations. Players will take the game more seriously. Hardcore Pokémon fans (who don't find Pokémon GO interesting compared to the main games) will join as new players.
2. The game will become too complicated. Many players will quit the game for not understanding. New players will be even harder to find. The players who like Pokémon GO but not Pokémon will lose interest. The players who prefer simple games like Angry Birds, Temple Run to complicated games like Clash Royale will lose interest. The game will go down in ratings.
There will definitely be a mixed impact. But what will the overall effect be like? What do you think about status moves and abilities? What would you do if you were one of the developers of the game?
[For entertainment purpose only]
Report
Answers
You're right. The gameplay is not complicated at all. The game is very easy. Just like I said before, "Everyone has everything!". Here's the fact, playing(opening) the game is difficult, but the gameplay is just way too simple. I think the Pokémon storage should be reduced so that trainers have to choose between Pokémon to keep. That would make it a bit more strategic.
Personally, I would love it if they introduced status effects and abilities into the game. Not only would this give the game some extra depth, but it could also greatly increase the pool of viable mons for different instances. That being said, Niantic would need to be careful about how status effects and abilities function in Go, and would likely have to tailor quite a few of them to function in a "keep tapping" combat system as opposed to a turn-based one.
In my opinion, if added in, I think status effects should only apply to charge moves, as things could get pretty wonky with quick moves applying them. Also, if they're only tacked-on to charge moves, it could really help with balancing certain moves.
