Go, go, go and catch ‘em all! Pokemon Go, the mobile game craze that has swept the world, is now officially available in the UK.
Having broken download records and already bigger than WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat, the augmented reality game tasks players with catching virtual creatures overlaid on real-life locations via their smartphone screens.
The app, which was first launched in Australia and New Zealand before overtaking Tinder in the US in popularity, has now appeared on the iOS App Store and Google Play.
Despite the game not being available in Britain until now, thousands of players here have already downloaded the app using workarounds.
Developer Niantic said earlier this week the game's official release in the UK would be delayed until it was "comfortable" servers could handle demand.
But a statement from the Pokemon Go app Twitter account this morning announced the wait was over.
UK Trainers, the wait is over. #PokemonGO is now officially available to be installed from Google Play or iTunes.
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) July 14, 2016
What’s it all about?
Pokemon Go players are tasked with physically exploring neighbourhoods and towns to find all the collectible critters such as Bulbasaur, Charmeleon and Pikachu.
An on-screen map shows roughly where they are situated, but they can also show up randomly as people move around.
Players get an alert when a Pokemon is near and then use their phone camera to hunt and capture it. Augmented reality software is used to overlay the creatures on to the real-world surroundings.
There are also Pokéstops found at meeting places, tourist attractions or landmarks where items can be picked up for using in the game and there are gyms too where Pokémon can be trained up to fight.
What are all these headlines?
Pokémon Go was released in the USA on July 7 and quickly garnered some adverse publicity.
There have been reports of armed robbers using the game to lure players into isolated locations, as well as a warning that paedophiles could potentially summon children to quiet places.
And there have been stories of people absent-mindedly wandering into traffic while fixated on their phone screens, while a teenager in America found a dead body as she played.
At the same time, Pokemon Go has won praise already for encouraging people to go outside and get exercise. Adults and children alike have all been joining in.
How do I play it?
So there are pros and cons so far, but one thing’s for certain – Pokémon Go is already incredibly popular.
Players in the UK can now join in without the need for any awkward solutions, with the game available to download either in the Google Play store or in Apple's App Store.
Though the app is free to download, there are in-app purchases such as 'lures' which attract Pokémon to you.
Have you started playing Pokémon Go yet? Which creatures have you caught where, and have you found any interesting Pokéstops?
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