“Pokémon Go” is giving players the gift of over 10,500 new PokéStops and gyms in December through a partnership with Sprint.
“We are thrilled to announce that we are working with Sprint to create a special ‘Pokémon GO’ experience at over 10,500 Sprint locations around the United States,” John Hanke, CEO of game developer Niantic, announced Wednesday. “As part of this collaboration, Sprint, Boost Mobile and Sprint at Radioshack stores will become PokéStops and Gyms, giving you even more places to stock up on Poké Balls and Razz Berries and to battle your friends. Sprint locations will also feature in-store charging stations to keep your ‘Pokémon GO’ sessions going even longer.”
He also noted “a few new experiences and in-game events” coming before the New Year, and said that the company will reveal “details about the first addition of more Pokémon” into the game via its social media channels on Dec. 12.
The news of Sprint’s involvement with the popular augmented reality app comes after a leaked internal Starbucks memo that said, starting this Thursday, practically every U.S. location in the coffee franchise is turning into a Pokéstop or gym.
“By locating your store within the game, players will unlock the Pokémon GO Frappuccino Blended Beverage,” the “confidential” memo to baristas read, per a screenshot on Forbes. “We anticipate our participation in the game will encourage more customers to visit your store and increase number of transactions.”
9 Stories That Show The Dark Side of 'Pokemon Go' (Photos)
"Pokemon Go" has brought kids and their parents together, brought a sales boost to many small businesses that suddenly became PokeStop locations and restored Pokemon to the mainstream cultural dominance it enjoyed during its heyday in the late 90s. But for every story of mass gatherings and unexpected new friendships formed, there's also been reports of gamers' Pokemon quests gone horribly wrong. Just remember to use caution when out and about collecting Pokemon.
Niantic
Shortly following the game's release, a 19-year-old in Riverton, Wyoming discovered a dead body while searching for water Pokemon along the Big Wind River. Other gamers have reported finding dead bodies while hunting for Pokemon off the beaten path.
ABC 10 Wyoming
Reports also surfaced of criminals using the game to find popular PokeStops with the aim of mugging unsuspecting gamers who pass by. In O'Fallon, Missouri, police arrested teenage boys who had robbed several "Pokemon Go" users. The suspects were charged with first degree armed robbery.
Missouri State Police
A similar robbery occurred on July 18, when a tourist from New Hampshire was hunting for Pokemon in Central Park and was held at gunpoint by two men. Police later tracked down the suspects using the victim's Find My iPhone app. Central Park has become a popular spot for New York "Pokemon Go" users, with large groups of gamers traveling together to find rare Pokemon.
In Ontario, Canada, a woman was arrested on assault charges after shooting a pellet gun from the roof of her apartment at a group of people playing the game.
Niantic
In Flagler County, Florida, a man fired gunshots at two teenagers who parked in front of his house after midnight when they discovered Pokemon on his street. The teenagers were not injured, though the gunshots left bullet marks on the vehicle and punctured one of the tires.
Niantic
"Pokemon Go" has inspired fans to go out and meet new people to hunt Pokemon with, but sometimes those meetups can take a nasty turn. In British Columbia, a 19-year-old woman met up with a 31-year-old man to play the game, only to end up calling the police after the man made sexual advances towards her.
PokeDates
On July 28, an Australian Pokemon trainer crashed his car into a school building in Melbourne after he lost control of the vehicle while attempting to catch a Pokemon. Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash.
Niantic
A comic book artist in San Jose, California was attacked by a man with a knife while playing the game, sustaining a severe wound that required fifteen stitches. The victim told NBC Bay Area that his attacker thought he was recording him with his phone and didn't believe him when he explained he was just trying to catch Pokemon. He says the attack did not reduce his passion for the game.
NBC Bay Area
A few days after the San Jose attack, a student from San Joaquin Delta College was shot and killed while playing "Pokemon Go" near Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Police are still investigating the incident.
Creative Commons
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Have fun playing ”Pokemon Go,“ but make sure you stay safe while doing so
"Pokemon Go" has brought kids and their parents together, brought a sales boost to many small businesses that suddenly became PokeStop locations and restored Pokemon to the mainstream cultural dominance it enjoyed during its heyday in the late 90s. But for every story of mass gatherings and unexpected new friendships formed, there's also been reports of gamers' Pokemon quests gone horribly wrong. Just remember to use caution when out and about collecting Pokemon.
Niantic
ABC 10 Wyoming
