It’s been the smash hit in many countries for the past month or so, causing chaos, social problems and even doing some good in its wake.
And it’s finally here. Pokemon Go became available in Singapore as of Saturday (Aug 6) morning and can be downloaded from Apple and Google Play stores.
The augmented-reality game, which has been launched in over 35 countries, was quietly launched with little fanfare except for a post by game maker Niantic on Pokemon Go’s official Facebook page announcing that its arrival in 15 new countries across the region – just in time for the Rio Olympics.
The countries include Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The game uses geo-location and augmented reality features and requires its players to look for go to real-life locations in the hopes of capturing virtual Pokemon such as the well-known Pikachu.
In mid-July, at least one blog claimed that Pokemon Go would hit Asia within 48 hours, but hopes were dashed when the 48 hours lapsed and nothing happened.
Then in late July, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said that the Government will study very carefully whatever is brought into Singapore, stressing that it must not harm lifestyles or the way things have been done here.
Indonesian officials had called the game a security threat, while some in Egypt and Russia have claimed that the game is a plot by spy agencies.
Reuters, AFP
sujint@sph.com.sg
