The wait is over for Pokemon Go fans in Japan.
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Similarly, the Japanese subsidiary of McDonald’s, which announced on July 20 a collaborative project with the Pokemon Go app saw its share soaring to their highest level in the last 15 years.
The app – which had been distributed in Western markets prior to its release in Japan and has surged in popularity – is also likely to be a big hit in the country that gave birth to Pokemon. They are adding a new way to make money through mobile games, by virtue of the Global Positioning System element in the game, and I think this deal is just the first of many to come. Junichi Masuda, general manager of Game Freak, the video game development company responsible for the Pokémon series of role-playing video games, and John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, the American company specialising in augmented reality mobile games, sat side by side as they addressed viewers in both English and Japanese.
“Trainers in Japan, thank you for being patient”. “‘Pokemon Go’ can now be played in Japan”.
Japanese authorities have also released safety guidelines to coincide with the game’s launch.
From the game industry (perspective), the critical point here is that this game is making money from in-app purchases.
Financial details have not been disclosed, but McDonald’s said that about 400 of its 2,900 restaurants in the country are designated as “gyms” where players can battle on their smartphones.
Many players are unable to get online at all, wherever they are.
Because the game uses Global Positioning System, it can drive potential customers to a store in a way that other games cannot. But they come on the same morning, and the game has broken at times of intense demand in the past. Overseas, however, the Pokemon Go craze has caused a host of troubles, including accidents involving people playing the game while walking.
Augmented reality game “Pokemon Go” was released Friday in Japan, with enthusiastic players visiting all locations in search of virtual game creatures while government institutions and police warned about safety hazards. The company owns just 32% of Tokyo-based Pokemon Co., which is entitled to a licensing fee from US -based game operator Niantic.
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It isn’t clear that the issues are definitely related to the launch of Pokemon Go in Japan.
