Avid Pokemon Go players sharing what Pokemon they caught.
“HANG ON, give me a second, a Dratini just popped up!” said avid Pokemon Go player Ho Wen Chun excitedly, his friends quickly surrounding him as he attempted to catch the rare Pokemon.
Ho and his group of friends were one of scores of people who turned up at the Kuching Waterfront today (Aug 13) for the first ever Pokemon Go Kuching Meetup, aimed at bringing together players of the phenomenally popular mobile game to the venue which has become a hotspot of activity due to its numerous Pokestops – real world locations where one can obtain valuable in-game items.
Youths attending the meetup playing Pokemon Go.
Hundreds of players, all clutching their smartphones, could be seen excitedly discussing the game and what Pokemon – the virtual reality creatures one catches in the game – were nearby at the meetup organised by arts and entrepreneurship movement Momentum KCH and hosted by local radio personalities from hitz FM Sarawak.
Since its launch in the country on Aug 6, the location-based augmented reality mobile game has dominated the top of the Apple and Android smartphone app charts, becoming the talking point of many Malaysians who either love it or find it a nuisance.
Ho and friends though, are of the former.
(From left) Secondary school students Pui Shiu Nyee, Lim Aik Sen, Lim Chun Yin, Isaac Khiung and Ho Wen Chun proudly display their Pokemon.
“Ah, it got away,” he sighed, looking dejected. But another Pokemon soon pops up, and his face lights up once again.
The group of five 15- and 16-year-olds took a bus down from 10th Mile just to attend the meetup, which they learned was going on from Facebook and WeChat.
“Most of our friends in school play the game, and it’s really fun,” said Lim Chun Yin, one of the five. “We’ve been playing since the Game Boy versions, and now that it’s on our smartphones, playing together is even more enjoyable.”
For the uninformed, the Pokemon franchise has been around for 20 years, with the first games launching on the Nintendo Game Boy handheld gaming platform in 1996, and has since seen great success with an animated series, trading card games and sequels that continue to this day.
“Part of the fun is walking around and catching Pokemon – we’ve been all over town since the game launched, and going in a group of my close friends like this makes it feel like I’m playing the Game Boy games in real life,” he added, proudly showing off his rarest catches – an Alakazam and a Scyther.
Briton Mostyn Field shows one of his favorite Pokemon.
British tourist Mostyn Field was one of the many who found himself swept up in the tide of people visiting the waterfront for the event.
“I started playing Pokemon Go when it launched in Tokyo, Japan, where I teach English,” he told Borneo Post Online. “It’s immensely popular over there.”
Field, who only started getting into the franchise after playing Pokemon Go, is now an accomplished trainer in the game, having accumulated 62 unique Pokemon, despite only being familiar with fan favorite and series mascot Pikachu when he started.
“I was visiting the Waterfront here when I saw this big group of people, all playing Pokemon Go, so I joined them. It’s so interesting to see so many here in Kuching who are into the game – it really does bring people together, doesn’t it?” he laughed.
Four-year-old Aliya Maisarah, arguably the youngest Pokemon Go player there, and her mother Aysya Marlina were visibly excited to be part of the experience.
Aliya Maisarah and her mother Aysya Marlina playing the game together at the meetup.
“I think Pokemon Go is a good thing, if played moderately. Look at how excited my daughter is! She’s only four and she knows more about the game than I do,” Aysya said.
Clutching her mother’s smartphone, Aliya was in the midst of catching a Pokemon. Deftly swiping the Pokeball on screen in its direction, she was soon the proud owner of a Magikarp.
“We play whenever we’re on the move, going for one place to the next. She plays while I drive, that way she gets to use every Pokestop along the way,” Aysya explained.
“I know there are some criticisms about the game, but as I said, everything in moderation. Socially, I think it’s great that we’re out and about and meeting new people. Players that I’ve met have all been very polite and kind – it’s something we can share with others. I know it uses augmented reality, but it gets us out in the real world, and I really enjoy the fact that it’s so simple I can play it with my daughter,” she added.
Agnes Lee (left) and Denise Lim were one of the many Pokemon Go players attending the meetup.
“Yeah, play it safely and always be aware of your surroundings, and you should be fine,” chimed in Denise Lim and Agnes Lee, both 24.
“In my opinion it encourages interaction with other people, just don’t get too engrossed with the game,” Lim said.
“Take this meetup, for example. Getting outdoors to meet others is both healthy and a great way to socialise.”
Developed by Niantic Inc and published by The Pokemon Company, Pokemon Go has exceeded 100 million downloads worldwide since its launch on July 6 and is estimated to have hit US$268 million in revenue from in-game purchases alone.
Pokemon Go players hold up their smartphones with the app as they pose for a group photo during the meetup.
A sharp-suited Pokemon Go player undeterred by the sweltering heat.