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The wait is over for Pokemon Go fans in Japan

46 Comments
By Ken Moritsugu

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46 Comments
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Populace baffled by nonsensical user instructions:

この道を、力強く、前へ。

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

@marcelito, No change in the masses. Remember, a short while ago a H.S. girl was hit by a train...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The beginning of the end! Let the zombies begin!

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Uh oh!!! Game on!! Watch out for that tree!!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

OMG I'm in the middle of Nara right now, no Wi-fi, had to use cell phone internet to download it. My first Bulbasaur appeared on the bushes, almost sprained my ankle running for it, surreal

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Started playing in the office

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I was sitting across from some friends, about an hour ago, having some coffee, and one of them had downloaded the app, installed it, and then busted out laughing, a pokemon was evidently sitting on my knee and bouncing around in rhythm to my movements. Fortunately we didnt have to run into each other.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Just remember... you can play it with the camera covered... it's just not as fun. All the camera does is provide a real world background image.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Folks, remember, if you want to capture Pikachu as your first Pokemon, you must walk away from the first set of 3 Pokemons for a total of 4 times. Only then, will Pikachu appear for you to catch. Good luck, have fun, and stay off the roads.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Despite fence construction in recent years by JR and others, there are still may unfenced train platforms just waiting for people to fall off.

And if you are worried about that pokemon about to be hit by the train just after it hits you, please remember that pokemon is as virtual as the pokeball that you virtually could throw, so it's not actually going to be hurt, or not as hurt as you actually are going to be.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Niantic released an augmented reality game a while back called Ingress, which has a large user base in Japan. The Pokemon Go beta has been out for months. Sure, there'll be people fixated on their smartphones but hasn't this always been the case with other apps like FB, LINE, etc.? I don't see what all the whining is about. The game seems like a great way for people to get off their bums and burn some calories.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Yubaru: ", and then busted out laughing, a pokemon was evidently sitting on my knee and bouncing around in rhythm to my movements"

Sounds pretty amusing, actually, and the source of a lot of potential fun (I mean the game in general, not strictly because it's on your knee), but I sure hope the guy didn't tackle you in an attempt to get it or use it as an excuse to molest you. :)

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Zombie apocalypse has reached Japan.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

expecting more ambulance siren police siren and accident by next week.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

This game reminds me of the Star Trek the Next Generation episode where the crew was being taken over by the introduction of a game that brainwashed them. Sadly, we have no Commander Data or Ensign Wesley Crusher to save us.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Pokemon Go app finally launched in Japan

I predict some accidents at train platforms, as the smartphone zombies (already legion) will become too absorbed in this new game. I hope I'm proved wrong though.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

there was a news flash on TV anouncing this!! I guess it is comical for us older folks

0 ( +4 / -4 )

On your guard everyone..accidents galore waiting to happen with the zombie hordes on the move. Nothing must get in the way of catching the next one.

Heaven help us. This is how the world ends..Not with a bang... Not with a whisper...But with Pokemon.

Folks, remember, if you want to capture Pikachu as your first Pokemon, you must walk away from the first set of 3 Pokemons for a total of 4 times. Only then, will Pikachu appear for you to catch.

Thanks so much for that little bit of information that I know I will never have to use.. Now I can rest easy knowing that I'll be able to catch Poka-whatever first.

And if you are worried about that pokemon about to be hit by the train just after it hits you, please remember that pokemon is as virtual as the pokeball that you virtually could throw, so it's not actually going to be hurt, or not as hurt as you actually are going to be.

Now THAT is useful info. People playing this game do need to be reminded that those holograms are not real.

This game reminds me of the Star Trek the Next Generation episode where the crew was being taken over by the introduction of a game that brainwashed them. Sadly, we have no Commander Data or Ensign Wesley Crusher to save us.

I doubt that even Data or Crusher could save us from this particular apocolypse..

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Stand waaaay behind the yellow line on train platform guys, I don't want one of these pokidiots bump into you and you fall onto the tracks.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I downloaded it this morning because of all the fuss in the office. Seems pretty casual to me. Had the game on and my phone in my pocket it vibrated and said there was a pokemon in the conbini. There it was on top of the bread.

But I can tell that there will be some accidents.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

In Denmark, a pokemon go hunter found a real dead body instead. And a woman who normally never locks her door had some unwanted visitors in her apartment due to a pokemon being in her place. Personally i think this wwhole pokemon go thing is stupid, but i guess there has to be stupid stuff from time to time to keep people occupied.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

can't people just ignore it if it's not their cup of tea? i don't understand why people waste their time bashing it. this is how stupid things (or people) get famous.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I went and installed it purely as a response to this forum's doom-crying.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

My son and I just had a great time searching our neighbourhood. This is great if you have kids and can get out together.

One problem I saw right away. A gym appears at a nearby blind intersection, a really narrow dangerous spot and last place you would ever want a gym.

Daytime searching in summer -terrible for your phone, worst overheating I ever had on my phone, and the glare of the sun. the Pokemon app is hard enough to see indoors, let alone outdoors. A pretty poor GUI for such a game. Battery killer! take a portable battery charger with you.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Katsu, are you sure it is the doom-crying, something tells me that deep in your Subconscious, that you weren’t aware of, there was the anxiety to try it. No matter what, I won’t try and don’t want to even see it.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Congratulations to the creators of Pokemon Go for being able to lead so many human-like lemmings around by the rings in their miniature oxen-like noses!

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Wow! Sounds exciting! But I would not play it whatsoever because I'm not so young. I'm just worried about my sons and grandkids getting hooked on Pokemon Go so much that they'd end up in terrible accidents. :‑(

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Sjeesh, my instagram and twitter feeds are full with pokemons today. Nintendo's stock just went up another couple of billion heh.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

What's gonna happen if Dr. Evil hacks into this?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

“The best part is that I just got the first three (characters), I felt like, ‘Yes!’” university student Shuta Saito said in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, a popular spot for fans of animation and games.

Considering that studying in university here is optional, he will have enough time to catch all Pokémon before entering his company.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

can't people just ignore it if it's not their cup of tea? i don't understand why people waste their time bashing it. this is how stupid things (or people) get famous.

The problem is you can't really ignore it. People block sidewalks/stairs (akin to those who read books or play their handhelds while walking) or are invading private property. If it were something people did at home or just sitting on the train, nobody would care much.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Cue the "But there was a Pikachu up your skirt!" excuses from pervs. Kidding aside, it's a pretty clever idea for a game. People should definitely be careful when playing though.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I went and installed it purely as a response to this forum's doom-crying.

Katsu - why would you continue to patronize a forum that makes you so consistently angry and upset?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

clamenzaJUL. 22, 2016 - 06:38PM JST Katsu - why would you continue to patronize a forum that makes you so consistently angry and upset?

Why do you think this forum makes me consistently angry or upset? I'm enjoying a decent if simple game that I would have never thought to play if not for the folks here showing me the way (not to go).

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I am a delighted Mum, as I've been playing it with my other son in UK for a week! Can't get on now, but Japan needs a chance now!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

You are playing a game designed for 9 year-olds??

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Another good reason not to visit McDonald's.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The servers were taking a hammering earlier on. It is fun to see some suits walking down the street in Tokyo trying to catch some Pokemon. Those bemoaning it's for kids, shut up and stay away from the game and don't click on any Pokemon Go related news.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Really, we don't need Pokemon Go to find zombies in the streets. My question: how much info do the police / authorities get from the players smartphones / iPhones? If you're a wanted criminal and they know you use a particular phone, aren't you basically giving away your location, or am I being a tad paranoid?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Some old farts in here will never know the feeling of running in to complete strangers at 2am only to find out they are on the same team. Then you and your new found comrades sit for hours catching pokémons, throwing out lures and help push the local gym to the limit!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I can think of 2 alteration of this. 1- Zombies or aliens invation, 2-give it to adult industry

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Some old farts in here will never know the feeling of running in to complete strangers at 2am only to find out they are on the same team.

some young farts in here will never know the feeling of running into a woman at 2am....

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The masses are so easily controlled.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

for goodness sake get a life people!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

And a woman who normally never locks her door had some unwanted visitors in her apartment due to a pokemon being in her place.

Sounds like a bogus story. If you can see a Pokemon in the game - even if it appears to be in a building/apartment - you can try to capture it without having to enter the building/apartment. Getting closer doesn't improve your chances of capturing it.

If you're a wanted criminal and they know you use a particular phone, aren't you basically giving away your location, or am I being a tad paranoid?

"Wanted criminals" usually ditch their personal phone in favor of a throw-away. Something tells me they aren't going to be downloading apps of ANY kind if they're hiding from the law.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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