Gaming

Niantic releases official statement on Pokémon Go global rollout

Published

August 4, 2016

Michael Josh Villanueva

Here’s a breakdown of what we know about Pokémon Go‘s global release so far in order of date:

The game is out now in the Philippines and 14 other countries in Asia and Ocenia. Swing by this page for the full list.
As of today, August 4, Pokémon Go is now available in Central and South America. The news comes just in time for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil. The world’s best athletes training in Pokémon gyms could be a thing now. Yay!
Nintendo announced on July 27th that Pokémon Go Plus, the watch-like companion device that alerts you of nearby monsters, will be available in September, not late-July.

Pokémon Go debuted in France and Hong Kong on July 25. Reports said the game has seen more than 75 million downloads between the iOS and Android app stores.
Pikachu is home. Pokémon Go was released in its native Japan on July 22, two days after servers were originally scheduled to go live.
On July 17, the game was unleashed in Canada.
July 16th marked Pokémon Go’s launch in 26 other countries across Europe, namely Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Pokémon Go went live in Italy, Spain, and Portugal on July 15.

As Pokémon Go finds its way to more users around the world, the question on everyone’s minds is: Where will the coveted augmented-reality game launch next?

As of this writing, the game is only officially released in 37 countries, including Australia, Canada, the U.S., and most of Europe. Yes, we’re counting!

Of course, that hasn’t stopped speculation from mounting. Some websites even went as far as saying that Pokémon Go will be made available in some parts of Southeast Asia by July.

Now, we can say with certainty that won’t be the case. Fortyseven Communications, the PR firm of Pokémon Go developer Niantic Labs, earlier released a statement on behalf of the company, saying the game developer can’t give a release date for Pokémon Go for the rest of the world.

“The team is currently heads down working on the game. We do not have any announced plans for countries beyond New Zealand, Australia, US and Germany at the moment.”

That doesn’t mean the app isn’t on its way to more regions, including Southeast Asia, where it has been reported that servers were temporarily turned on for a few hours. Regardless, it’s best to keep expectations in check until further notice.

And word may be out soon. In a recent interview with Reuters, Niantic Labs chief executive John Hanke said he wants a wider rollout for Pokémon Go, adding he expects 200 more countries and regions to join in on the fun “relatively soon.”

Pokémon Go took the world by storm recently, and has since seen more daily active users than Twitter and Tinder, and people spend more time time on it than on Facebook. It has even overtaken the mighty Candy Crush Saga.

It is estimated the game generates millions within minutes, and it isn’t even available in most parts of the world yet. Perhaps even more impressive, Nintendo has doubled in market value since the game’s release.

For our part, we’ve set up our own Pokémon Go watch, which entails round-the-clock hourly checks of the app and related content on the web. As soon as we have an update, you’ll be the first to hear it.

This story was published on July 15. It has been edited to reflect Pokemon Go’s availability to more regions and details from Retuers’ interview with Niantic head John Hanke.

[irp posts=”7858″ name=”Pokémon Sun and Moon out now”]

Source: IGN Southeast Asia

Related Topics:Niantic Nintendo Pokemon Go

Gaming

Bloodborne is getting an R-rated animated film adaptation

And it’s going to be produced by Sony and Jacksepticeye.

Published

April 14, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

FromSoftware fans are eating well these days. Though gamers are still anticipating the arrival of The Duskbloods on the Switch 2, the studio’s other franchises are getting well-deserved nods for adaptations: Sekiro, Elden Ring, and now, Bloodborne.

Sekiro has already been slated for an anime adaptation for a while now. Meanwhile, Alex Garland recently confirmed that he is adapting Elden Ring for A24. Today, Sony Pictures has confirmed that the studio is working on an R-rated animated film based on Bloodborne.

Via Variety, Sony Pictures president Sanford Panitch says that the upcoming adaptation will keep the game’s essence of horror and gore. With a name like “Bloodborne,” you can’t have an adaptation without a heaping of blood.

Besides Sony, the animated project has another big name attached to its production: YouTuber Jacksepticeye. Throughout his career, the creator has been vocal about considering Bloodborne as his favorite game of all time. He even has a tattoo of the Hunter’s Mark on his forearm. For this project, Jack will be a co-producer.

Though the creator’s skill in filmmaking is still a relative unknown, Jack’s love for the game should give the project a gamer’s voice. If anything, Markiplier’s recent Iron Lung adaptation offers optimism that YouTubers can also create decent films.

Gaming

Honkai: Star Rail 4.2 launching next week

New characters, 3rd anniversary rewards, more

Published

April 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

It hasn’t even been that long since Version 4.1 of Honkai: Star Rail dropped, and now, the space fantasy RPG will launch its Version 4.2 update on April 22.

Called “So Laughed the Masses,” this update continues the Trailblazers’ adventure in Planarcadia. The state of the Phantasmoon Games has grown increasingly complex, following the announcement that the victor will permanently become the Aeon of Elation.

Even more plots and schemes are bound to surface as Research Society of Happy Smiles leader Fulwish invites all Supplicants to a public debate. Trailblazers must successfully navigate every hurdle, obtain more Wishpower, and resolve the hidden crisis.

In Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.2, all-new limited 5-star characters Silver Wolf LV.999 and Evanescia will become playable companions.

Furthermore, limited 5-star characters The Dahlia, Castorice, and Firefly, as well as Tribbie, Sunday, and Feixiao, will all appear respectively in the first and second-phase Warp events.

Trailblazers will also be able to unlock the brand-new Path of Elation.

The Version 4.2 update coincides with the third anniversary of the space fantasy RPG, and the title has prepared a series of special events and generous rewards for players.

Players can get 20 free pulls, Stellar Jade giveaways, and free character redemptions. And for a chance to win a Silver Wolf LV.999-themed car and other surprise gifts, simply participate in the “Aha’s Chosen: Spreading Elation Everywhere” online event.

For more on the update, here’s the latest trailer from HoYoverse:

Gaming

Honor of Kings: World opens sign-ups for PC Alpha Test

Be among the first to explore Primaera

Published

April 14, 2026

GadgetMatch

TiMi Studio Group has announced the first-ever overseas closed PC Alpha Test for Honor of Kings: World.

Players can register now via this link for a chance to experience the Eastern Fantasy multiplayer action RPG.

The anticipated title is rooted in the globally renowned MOBA game, Honor of Kings, which has 260 million monthly active users.

The RPG counterpart expands the series’ vast lore, turning it into an open world filled with adventure, mystery, and legendary heroes for players to explore.

It is set against the backdrop of Eastern Fantasy and infused with futuristic elements. It introduces players to “the Flow,” a powerful and mysterious force shaping the fate of the world.

In Honor of Kings: World, players begin their journey as students at the prestigious Jixia Academy before venturing across the continent of Primaera.

Along the way, they will encounter iconic heroes, forge alliances, and ultimately challenge the “Chain of Fate” to create their own legend.

Alpha Test details

Participants in the Alpha Test will gain early hands-on access to the game whilst development continues.

This early test will provide valuable insight into core gameplay systems and offer players a first look at the world and features of Honor of Kings: World.

Features include:

Free exploration of the Primaera continent
Dynamic combat system with dual hero Flow Styles
Rich blend of PvE adventure and competitive PvP experiences
Skill-based combat with precise parries, perfect dodges, and highly responsive action gameplay
Cooperative multiplayer boss encounters with evolving mechanics
Social features such as shared world hubs and co-op activities
Home building, farming, and crafting systems

The test will be open to select countries in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. The title will be available only in English for now, but more languages are expected to be added.