TechCrunch is reporting that Pokémon GO will be coming to Japan tomorrow alongside a special sponsorship deal which will see 3000 McDonald's outlets transformed into gyms within the game.
This report flies in the face of the official line from developer Niantic, which has previously stated that the app would not be coming to Japan until late July at the earliest. The company hasn't commented on the report, but in the past Niantic has only confirmed regional launches after they've taken place.
Gyms are a focal point in the game, allowing players to pit their Pokémon against one another and build experience. It is understood that if the campaign is a success, it will be rolled out globally.
[source eurogamer.net, via techcrunch.com]
Comments 28
mmmm... burgers made from pokemon meat.
" It is understood that if the campaign is a success, it will be rolled out globally.".
How appropriate.
They see me rollin'.......out of McDonald's.
I can't beleive we got GO before Japan. They are usually the highest priority in any Nintendo related game. On a side note, I wouldn't make any plans to play it at all tomorrow. Servers will probably be down most of the day.
@Whopper744 The game's not made in Japan or by any of the Japanese companies involved, Nintendo or The Pokemon Company. Niantic are based in California.
Come to Mcdonalds ,use our gym's and eat unhealthy food.
Gym vs. Unhealthy food ....
Hm... sounds interesting.
The Battle between Healthy vs. Unhealthy will be begin.
Hey we have broken product, so lets make it available to more people?
All efforts should be in getting the product working.
My kids and myself's interest is waning, because it is BROKEN,
Yay, more downtime 😀
Hopefully it will arrive in South America a few days after. I'm tired of waiting
TOMORROW!? Let's give our condolences for the servers in advance.
"Ah Japan can wait till we get the servers sorted to avoid a disaster launch!"
"But don't we have a new Pokemon movie to sell? Its up against Finding Dory and a new One Piece movie."
"Don't forget Yokai Watch 3!"
"Well we could..... NO RELEASE IT TOMORROW NOW!!!!"
@freaksloan They've already released a patch to fix a few issues, and most of the "broken" things about it are minor. OoT had glitches galore (some very game breaking) and nobody complains. I even got stuck in a wall in Twilight Princess for crying out loud.
People in other countries should be able to play the game before Niantic works hard on a bug patch, which they're also probably working on along side this. They've done nothing but work hard and they've even gave us news and heads up on things several times in advance. Don't be so entitled.
...Yuck...the other teams can have those gyms. I'm staying away from those McDonalds.
If it's gonna be anything like the Pokemon Bank launch, expect the servers to be down for 3 days.
Barely been able to play it in England through all the endless bugs and server problems and now it's gonna be broken completely all day tomorrow. So close to deleting the freaking app
I'm just happy we got the heads up on this release a day in advance, unlike the release last Saturday that ruined my day in the park (game wise). Ready for the downtime
Kind of makes sense for McDonald to be Gyms. After all they also function as Nintendo Zone. Surprised that not a thing here too, well maybe later.
Well at least we aren't on the exact same time zone as Japan so the servers won't be completely destroyed by them.
Oh lordy.. this is gonna skyrocket their shares!
"Gyms are a focal point in the game, allowing players to pit their Pokémon against one another and build experience."
I wish the Pokemon I use to battle at a Gym would gain CP after winning a battle, instead of just receiving XP for the trainer.
As for the story, I'm glad Japan is finally getting official access to this game. It just feels right that the people who globally want the game most will finally be getting it.
Hurry up and come to North America!! Yes, I'll have a McStreetPass with my Gym Battle.
I just realized that it's Wednesday in Japan right now, so does that mean it's already happening?
Edit: Checked App & Pokemon site (PTC login), yep it's happening
@BlatantlyHeroic Freezing and crashing and not loading are all minor? I can barely play it for 5 minutes before it crashes. As Jim Sterling puts it, it's the best worst Pokemon game out right now.
If it's real; it's going to be HUUUGE!
Have the servers been destroyed yet? If not, how long till the Japanese launch?
Literally seeing nothing anywhere on Japanese sites about a release, and its already midday
Did I just see "McDonald's Gym" in the same sentence. How does that work, a fast food chain promoting physical well being? XD
Anyway, its still delayed. No release today.
https://mynintendonews.com/2016/07/20/nintendo-stock-loses-momentum-due-to-report-of-pokemon-go-delay-for-japan/
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