‘Pokemon Go' Updates: Niantic Increases Snorlax Spawns In Specific Japan Locations For Limited Time
Niantic recently deployed a special "Pokemon Go" event in select areas in Japan. Avid players of the mobile gaming app will be able to find and capture more Snorlax characters for a limited time period.
Since "Pokemon Go" launched in July 2016, developers of the mobile gaming app have deployed various events from a Trick or Treat challenge to increased candy rewards. Niantic has even released holiday or season-themed Pikachu's with festive hats. Recently, the gaming company introduced a special event aimed to increase visits to specific quake-hit locations in Japan.
In a recent social media announcement posted on the game's Japan Twitter account, Niantic unveiled details of its special "Pokemon Go" event where gamers will find more Snorlax characters in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in Kyushu. The said areas were previously hit with two powerful earthquakes in mid-April 2016. Construction and rebuilding efforts are still ongoing in several areas although some locations remained close.
熊本県全域、及び大分県由布市、別府市で、カビゴンが現れやすくなるとの情報が届きました。ポケモンのふえに起こされたのでしょうか？この現象は3/4から3/13まで続くようです！現地は復興作業が続いている地域、場所がございます。危険な場所には立ち入らず、熊本、大分を楽しんでくださいね！ pic.twitter.com/24SbqeLuOI
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) March 2, 2017
Niantic even included a safety reminder in its announcement that implored "Pokemon Go" players to avoid entering unsafe locations or areas with ongoing construction work. Meanwhile, the game's increased Snorlax spawns started on March 4, Saturday and will run until March 13, Monday.
In an interview with Japan Times, a "Pokemon Go" representative commented that they deployed the special Snorlax event in Japan to entice local players to see some of Kyushu's previously quake-hit prefectures. The representative added, "We hope the game event will provide an opportunity for people to ... find out how things are going [in the said areas]."
In other news, Niantic's boss John Hawke recently teased some of the gaming company's plans for "Pokemon Go." The gaming executive told Wired's Germany, as cited by Nintendo Everything, that the deployment of several Legendary Pokemon and other fan-requested creatures were included in the company's planned releases this year.
The Niantic CEO also unveiled potential enhancements for the mobile gaming app's gym battles. Game developers are looking to "overhaul" the said "Pokemon Go" feature to increase chances of players teaming up together, according to Hawke.
