How I Played Pokemon Go In Russia

While Russia is still waiting for Pokemon GO official release, many people have already created american Apple accounts and started to play. But turned out Russia is not a perfect place for Pokemon GO players though. It’s not like you gonna catch a bear instead of Pikachu, but surely you’ll face some difficulties. But let’s be consistent.

My relationship with Pokemon

I’ve never been huge Pokemon fan. When all the kids rushed to local girl’s house to watch Pokemon, because she had color TV, my friend and I stayed outside throwing things at each other pretending these are granades.

But now watching how Pokemon GOgains popularity, I’ve decided to fill in this emptiness in my soul, took my longboard and started a pokemon hunt in the neibourghood. That turned out a lot harder than I expected. Maybe I am just an old grump, but as amateur pokemon trainer I’ve faced some serious problems.

Catching pokemon is dangerous

I’ve been riding on the longboard catching pokemons on the go. It’s harder than texting, I should say. While riding near the park I almost got hit by a car that was running towards me (on the sidewalk!). I was lucky the driver wasn’t trying to catch Slowpoke at this moment. If you’re in Russia and prepared to go out for pokemons on your bicycle, scooter or a car — don’t do that.

Few times the game led me into creepy places. Pokemons spawned among local thugs, pokestops were placed at tuberculosis dispensary and local hospital. I mean, seriously?!

Being a pokemon trainer isn’t cool (so far)

I reached pokemon gym under the bridge (oh god why) hoping that company of girls will check out my Pikachu (not sure if he’s really that cool though). Girls wasn’t impressed for some reason. Apparantly they were just taking selfies there and weren’t interested in Pikachu. On the other hand the local police became suspiciously interested in my activity. They thought that I was taking pictures of them. I decided not to explain that I’m just trying to capture the gym.
The lesson is simple: hold your pokemons down until the official release.

Catching pokemon is troublesome

People get irritated by your actions. They immidiatly start thinking that you’re trying to take a photo. Here in Russia it’s causes a silent question “What’s your problem?”. I just shaked my head saying “Nothing”. I didn’t dare to explain to the migrant worker the whole pokemon thing.

Catching pokemon is very troublesome!

I don’t know if this is a coincidence, but most of the pokestops are located at children’s playgrounds. It’s alright if you’re a teenager, but when a grown-up bearded man arrives to the playground pointing the camera at kids, there’s only one thing people can think of.

The weather will spoil it all

Should I explain how russian weather affects the game?

Conclusion

If I was a 15 year old teenager with tons of spare time and had the guts to confess that I’m a Pokemon Go player, I’d certainly got hit by a car or got a tuberculosis. But despite all the problems that’d my favourite game of all time!

All those problems are, of course, far-fetched and people from other countries have to deal with them too. When Pokemon GO finally get to Russia, playing it will become funnier and easier. So if you have a desire to play and lots of time I’m jealous of you.

More info: logomachine.net