SINGAPORE – Gotta catch ’em all they said, and catch they did as droves of obsessed Pokemon ‘trainers’ flocked to popular PokeStops and Pokemon Go gyms around the island.

The augmented reality game Pokemon Go has turned out to be a real nightmare for residents at certain neighbourhoods around the island, with hundreds of players congregating at these hotspots at odd hours.

It was ‘apokelypse’ for some residents staying near Yishun Park, which has four PokeStops.

According to Shin Min Daily News, nearly a hundred Pokemon players were spotted at the park in the wee hours of Wednesday morning (Aug 10).

PokeStops are landmarks for players to collect items that can aid them in their quest, while Pokemon Go gyms are for players to battle other aspiring Pokemon trainers.

Some were flagrantly flouting traffic rules, parking their vehicles illegally around the park.

Illegal hawkers were also seen peddling their wares around the park, much to the chagrin of irate residents.

Many of the players were students, the Chinese evening daily reported, due to the National Day public holiday coupled with the designated school holiday on Wednesday.

Gotta catch ’em all: Pokemon Go now in Singapore

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The Straits Times, Facebook / RSAF, Facebook/SPF, AsiaOne, Capitaland

Mr He (phonetic translation), a tutor, told Shin Min Daily News that he went to Yishun Park in the wee hours after hearing that “high-level Pokemons” were spotted there.

“Someone also shouted that the police were coming, so those who parked illegally around the park fled the scene” the 32-year-old Pokemon gamer added.

“Some players were also consuming alcohol as they played. They appeared drunk and were creating a din. I was worried that the residents would complain.”

It is illegal to consume alcohol in all public places from 10.30pm to 7am according to the Liquor Control Act, which came into force last year.

Mr Chen (phonetic translation), a resident who stays near Yishun Park, was worried about the “unhealthy atmosphere”.

“It is annoying that there are so many people at the park. The drinking will only make it worse,” said Mr Chen, 42.

“There are youths at the park too. I’m worried that they will be influenced and start consuming alcohol too,” the delivery man said.

Pokemon Go: A beginner’s guide

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The New Paper

Gangs of players at Hougang

It was a similar situation at Blk 404 Hougang Avenue 10. According to Lianhe Wanbao, there are three PokeStops at that neighbourhood.

Photos posted on social media also showed a massive crowd of people glued to their phones at a playground near the block.

Other hotspots in the heartlands include East Coast Park and Punggol Park.

grongloh@sph.com.sg

Pokemon Go fever

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Reuters, AFP

SINGAPORE – In Greek mythology, sirens were beautiful maidens (creatures) on a rocky island who seduced sailors with their enchanting music and voices, only for the unsuspecting seafarers to shipwreck on the coast and die at the hands of these seductresses.

Fast forward to the 21st century and we can see this being played out in real-life with the baits and unwitting players, save for the gory ending.

Savvy businesses around the island are trying to cash in on the latest gaming craze to hit Singapore, Pokemon Go, by unleashing “lures” to attract players and increase foot traffic to their shops.

The “lure module” feature attracts virtual monsters to a particular location for 30 minutes, which in turn draws Pokemon trainers to congregate at the site to capture them.

Even before the craze hit our shores, three companies, local book retailer Times Publishing, and fibre broadband service providers ViewQwest and MyRepublic, told The Straits Times on Aug 3 that they were going to pull out all the stops to lure Pokemon Go fans to their businesses.

AsiaOne has compiled a list of companies that have released these “lure modules”. Bookmark this page as we narrow down these “lure modules” to aid in your quest to be a bona fide Pokemon Go master.

ION Orchard

When: Aug 6 to Aug 21

What: Shopping mall ION Orchard was one of the pioneers to cash in on the game, releasing “lures” almost immediately when Pokemon was released in Singapore on Saturday (Aug 6).

However, it was more bane than boon as some businesses discovered that the Pokemon Go players were there mainly to play and not to shop.

Read also: Top 5 excuses employees can give to play Pokemon Go at work

Gotta catch ’em all: Pokemon Go now in Singapore

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The Straits Times, Facebook / RSAF, Facebook/SPF, AsiaOne, Capitaland

Resorts World Sentosa (RWS)

When: Aug 9 to Aug 14

What: The “lures” will be released at various timings inside Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium, as well as outside the two attractions at popular Pokestops Festive Walk, the Lake of Dreams and Forum at Basement 1.

Those who can present screenshots of five Pokemon found anywhere on RWS within an hour can receive a 10 per cent discount off admission ticket prices to Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium.

Singtel shops

When: Aug 11 to 14

What: Thousands of “lures” will be released at PokeStops near 10 Singtel shops.

Singtel promoters will also be handing out survival kits comprising a disposable poncho, water bottle and a snack to its mobile customers from 11am to 7pm during the duration of the campaign, on a first-come-first-served basis every hour.

Pokemon Go Trainers who post a photo of their Pokemon Go experience on their personal Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page with the hashtags #Singtel and #PokemonGoSG also stand to win a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset each day.

CapitaLand Malls http://capitaland.com/pokemonstar When: Aug 6 to Aug 10

What: Developer CapitaLand announced on Aug 6 that members of its rewards programme can earn points and redeem vouchers by posting screenshots of Pokemons in any of its 16 shopping malls on Instagram.

Members have to hashtag #PokemonSTAR in the photo caption, location-tag the CapitaLand property, and follow the CapitaLand Instagram account to qualify.

Participating malls include Bugis Junction, Clarke Quay, Plaza Singapura and Raffles City.

Read also: Pokemon Go guide: Top destinations to catch ’em all!

Pokemon Go: A beginner’s guide

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The New Paper

grongloh@sph.com.sg