The global phenomenon of a game – Pokemon Go might have suffered extreme cases of server downtime in the past, but it is now gearing up and expanding rapidly. As announced today, the game is finally making its way to the hearts and smartphones of users in 15 more Asian countries.
The list of Asian countries that are getting the game today are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.
The game developer announced the same in a tweet saying,
Trainers in 15 new countries & regions in Asia and Oceania can download Pokémon GO from the Play Store or App Store! https://t.co/UoFXEuAPYv
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) August 6, 2016
After its major release in Japan and Canada last week, the expansion to Asia was expected to be the next possible step. But, what’s saddening about this release is that India is not a part of the official list of countries it has been made available to.
It is unclear what is stopping Niantic from releasing the game in India, a country which has trumped United States to bag the second spot in the growing number of Internet users and has double-digit per cent smartphone sales. It is still unknown when the game will go live in the country.
While, on the other hand, the reason for the delayed release of the game in China is pretty much self-explanatory. In conversation with Forbes, Niantic CEO John Hanke told that Pokemon Go relies on Google Maps to source the trainers current location on the map, and the government regulations in China obstruct the same. He also stated that the security issues with Google Maps in Korea has also obstructed the official launch of the game in these countries.
Launched in the first week of July, just about a month ago, the game has already managed to be a crowd pleaser. It was first rolled out in United States, with subsequent releases in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and Japan. After receiving much hate and angst, the game has recently also made its way to Brazil in time for the Rio Olympic Games 2016.
With over 100 million app downloads, Pokemon Go now also has numerous records to its name. It has also crossed Twitter in DAUs, Candy Crush Saga in app installs, and Facebook in user engagement time. Pokemon Go has also brought in over $160 million in revenues to the makers of this wonderful and nostalgic game.
