Young players walk through the city centre of Hanover while holding their smartphones and playing 'Pokemon Go.' (Photo : Getty Images/Alexander Koerner)
Niantic has finally released Pokémon GO for the Philippines on Saturday as players now flock to the Google Play Store page to download the AR game that swept the whole globe.
It has been several weeks after Pokémon GO originally launched for the New Zealand and the United States. Niantic has been rolling out the game country by country and it finally reaches more of Asia.
Unfortunately, India and China will have to wait a little bit longer as Niantic is still figuring out a way to launch Pokémon GO in the countries. The Philippines joins other countries in Asia for the release of Pokémon GO such as Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia and Brunei.
Pokémon GO players in the Philippines are warned by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to be safe in playing the game while out in the public especially while crossing streets, CNN Philippines has learned. The MMDA also said that players who cannot refrain from checking out their smartphones while in the streets should use pedestrian footbridges and be aware of their surroundings for snatchers and other criminal elements.
Local network carrier Smart has already hinted that Pokémon GO Philippines will happen soon several days ago as they announced that they will be giving free data for the players. Smart has not yet announced the official promo mechanics but they did promise the free Pokémon GO data for seven days or a whole week once the game launches.
Pokémon GO Philippines players have already expressed their excitement on Twitter as they post their first captures with Charmander and other Pokémon, Manilla Bulletin reported. However, some are frustrated as they cannot find the game on Google Play Store.
One reasonable explanation is that their phones simply do not support the game. They could try to find Pokémon GO APK files to download but they could contain malware.
With Pokémon GO released in the Philippines and other countries in Asia, the number of users may pick up again after it reached its peak. Players are cautioned to watch their surroundings to prevent injuries and their phones from being snatched.
