Excitement filled the air in Hong Kong as Pokémon enthusiasts from all corners of the globe gathered for the city’s first-ever “Pokémon Go City Safari” event. Organized by Niantic, the creators of the popular mobile app, the two-day adventure kicked off on Saturday, promising participants a unique blend of virtual reality gaming and real-world exploration.
International Gathering
Lisa Broadwell, a dedicated player from Sweden who has been immersed in the game since 2019, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the thrill of discovering new cities through the lens of Pokémon Go. She shared, “I like the walk and catch aspect of Pokémon Go, so this event seemed perfect to be able to walk around, see things, and just be walking and catching and seeing the sights as I go along. It fits my style of playing.”
Jim Haughey, who traveled all the way from America, specifically Las Vegas, for the event, humorously mentioned the challenges of adjusting to the time difference. “We’re still a bit jet-lagged. It was a 15-and-a-half-hour flight, so we’re still trying to get our bearings of where we are or what we are doing,” he chuckled.
City Selection
Elaine Hui, the director of APAC regional marketing at Niantic, shed light on why Hong Kong was chosen as the venue for this immersive experience. She explained, “We need to find a city that is really easy to travel, and I think Hong Kong has that quality. On the other hand, we want to have something special for this city, and Hong Kong has that quality, too.”
Highlighting Hong Kong’s unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, modern skyscrapers juxtaposed with historic neighborhoods, Hui emphasized the city’s rich cultural tapestry as a driving force behind the decision. “They have East and West. They have very new, tall buildings, very iconic buildings, but they also have neighborhoods, which are a little bit older, but with a lot of history. That’s why we think Hong Kong is a good place,” she elaborated.
