Picking up Pokeballs on your way to work and catching a Charmander on your lunch break is quickly becoming the norm for Australians after the launch of Nintendo’s first augmented reality mobile game – Pokémon Go.
Social media exploded when the game, based on the popular 1990’s anime series ‘Pokémon’, launched Down Under on Wednesday.
The game, developed by Niantic Labs, while free to download, has in-app purchases which has sent it to the top of the grossing chart, as well as the top free list. This means people aren’t just using the app for fun, they are spending money. Launching in the US yesterday, it also became the top-grossing app on iPhone by 10:30am that day.
Upload VR reported Pokemon Go was downloaded more than 50,000 times in less than 48 hours from the Apple Store. On Google Play store, which is for Android phones, it says the game has been downloaded close to 60,000 times.
It launched in Australia and New Zealand ahead of the US to build interest in the US and European market, AdNews understands.
The game uses your phone’s camera and GPS to capture, battle, train, and trade virtual Pokémon who appear throughout the real world. Then as you move around the app uses vibrations and a flashing light to alert the player of the presence of a nearby Pokémon.
And it's not only Twitter that was excited about Pokémon Go, making a Twitter moment for the launch - Woolworths has jumped on the chance to be involved in the conversation.
It posted on its Facebook page the hot tips on how to catch em' all.
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