Although plenty of gamers in Europe and elsewhere have been enjoying Pokémon GO whether it's actually released in their country or not, Niantic hasn't forgotten that it still needs to roll-out the viral hit in a lot of major territories. There have been delays as the developers have battled against extreme demand on the game's servers.
The app is starting to make its way in Europe at last, though, with the app's official Twitter account confirming that it's now available in Germany:
We've checked here in the UK and it's still absent from the Google Play store in the country, so evidently we are seeing a phased roll-out for the EU, perhaps one country at a time as servers are closely managed.
In any case hopefully this is just the start, as the sooner Niantic can get the app out officially on a global basis the better for them, The Pokémon Company and Nintendo.
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Given that it's already the biggest mobile game in US history*, I expect this thing is going to be truly huge by the time it's rolled out across all territories.
So, great for Nintendo, and I just hope it works out best for us too in the long run. I certainly do not want Nintendo to focus too much on churning out a bunch of clunky and unpolished mobile Apps instead of working on its core consoles and game experiences, which definitely could happen now when you consider how much quicker, easier, and cheaper Apps like this are to make, and that the return is likely much greater too. And, I just hope all this success is used to make its home consoles and games even stronger—which is what Nintendo said this mobile initiative was all about—as opposed to the other way around and just moving even more of its resources over to gimmicky mobile stuff at the expense of its core systems and games.
I'll also be very interested to see how Pokemon Go is holding up in a few months time. I have no idea if it has legs or not, but it's certainly started stunningly well. I've always expected Nintendo's mobile games to achieve pretty big numbers out the gate, because it's Nintendo, but the long term success and the general quality has always been a bit more murky to me.
*http://gonintendo.com/stories/261294-pokemon-go-becomes-biggest-mobile-game-in-u-s-history
I am looking forward to getting the Pokémon GO Plus device.
The UK can't be too far behind... Right?
Das ist Ihrer Meinung.
Very interesting... At fist I did not intend to download the game, but all the hype has got me wanting it now..
Why can't they release it somewhere smaller first? Like Lichtenstein, Monaco, or Andorra?
@Kirk since Nintendo has had nothing to do with the development, you don't need to worry. Niantic is the developer.
Read the headline, immediately grabbed my phone and downloaded it. Apparently none of the names I usually go by were available. Got a Squirtle and apparently the local super market down the street is a PokeStop. But I don't see myself go outside just because of Pokemon Go. Sure, when I need to go to the city for university and such, yes, I'll play it.
Even though game isn't out yet in the UK I can already see a lot of people playing it. I have the feeling that once it is officially released the world might stop functioning entirely...
Do someone know which minimum version of IOS to have for Pokemon Go to work on IPhone ? People in US, please ?
@Tsurii I apologize for forgetting about The Vatican, San Marino, and Transnistria.
Does that answer your question?
@gurtifus According to the App Store the minimum iOS version is 8.0.
I've been trying to download the app for 2 hours now but the (german) App Store is completely overloaded.
Neeeeiiiinnnn!!!
I want this game based on the hype generated for everybody! Please come to Brazil soon!
well, this game is seriously killing it worldwide, it basically overtook EVERYONE on the App store, and that's no lie, I'm enjoying playing Pokémon GO, n.n Australia was one of the first areas rolled out and I am almost LV 5, Team Instinct, and I come to RIDE THE LIGHTNING!!!
Many of the radio stations in my area are talking about Pokemon GO. Social media is full of it. What's funny is that some people don't seem to understand what all the fuss is about. XD
I would love to download it and join everyone, but....stares at beloved Windows Phone sadly
Sehr schön! I already played it before it released but it is nice knowing that it's live now.
@Turrican : Too bad, I have a 4S with IOS 7.2 so I'll not join the party !
@Therad Nintendo has more than enough to do with the development of Pokemon Go. Niantic isn't some random independant company making this game all on its own that has nothing to do with Nintendo. It's a licensed developer that's been brought on to create a Pokemon product specifically for Nintendo (and the other two companies that form The Pokemon Company), and Nintendo has a literal invested interest in Niantic (to the some of some $30 million split between it, Google, and The Pokemon Company). Trust me, Nintendo has its say, and this will have an effect on how Nintendo operates going forward too, hopefully a good effect.
PS. "resources"—as mentioned in my original post—that would be money, like the money Nintendo has already invested in making these mobile Apps happen, as well as any time, people, and whatever else.
...aaand it's already top free and top grossing game in Germany =)
It's already huge here in Holland without an official release. Yesterday it featured heavily in all the papers and on TV. It's the perfect summer craze and I'm seeing a lot of people hunting for Pokemon. I'm glad my prediction that Nintendo would sweep the board with a Pokemon game for smartphones have come true because i really really really want them to survive forever.
My only regret is that I don't have a smartphone and can't join in the fun.
Will it come to Ireland the same time as it comes to the UK?
This is insane. People on the radio where talking about this, as where some people in work. I was hopeful that Go would do well, but I never expected anything like this.It's like Red and Blue all over again.
@Kirk #1 I totally agree. Surprisingly, it is more popular than Candy Crush in US. Apps like Pokemon Go represent the easiest way to make money for Nintendo, and I'm not sure that is what I want for the same reasons you have explained.
I am interested what happens to us who downloaded the apk file then try get a legit copy?
Anyone in Germany confirm?
@eltomo
The apk file is the legit version. You just have to update the game in the Playstore. If you haven't found it out yourself already.^^
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