Pokemon GO is the mobile game that brought everyone together in the Summer of 2016, but in 2020, it seems to be tearing people apart. Some may remember the fight that broke out between friends over Pokemon GO a week ago, but it's happened again, and in the same place, too.
While most Pokemon GO players are worried about beating and catching a Heatran Pokemon for themselves, some players are more concerned with fighting one another in real life. While this isn't the first time that fans have fought in real life over a video game, this is the second time in the last two weeks that Pokemon GO fans have battled over the game just in Hokkaido, Japan.
On August 16th, 2020, a Pokemon GO player was arrested for assault in Hokkaido, Japan, after beating a fellow player. The aggressor kicked their attacker's vehicle while both of them played the popular phone game. The 35-year-old man was upset that the other player had parked so poorly, and he took it out on the vehicle. He then chased the car's owner when they exited the vehicle and punched the victim in the face twice before the police became involved. He was arrested in Sapporo.
Considering Pokemon GO is supposed to be a feel-good game for both adults and kids, it's a little strange that so many players seem to be wanting to battle each other in real life. There was another, similar attack in Hokkaido last year too when a 47-year-old man attacked another player. And there was that time a father and son that got into a Pokemon GO altercation over a gym in 2017 in St. Louis, and many more.
While these fights are pretty isolated incidents, it does seem a little strange that what is supposed to a relaxing pastime, like Pokemon GO, is getting people riled up enough to fight each other. Hopefully this is the last we'll hear of gamers battling one another in real life, and they'll keep it to gym battles from now on.
There is also good news, however, coming from the mobile game. Pokemon GO publisher The Pokemon Company has donated millions to charities following its incredibly successful Pokemon GO online event. The recipients of this $5 million USD donation include the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, Central Única das Favelas, The Trevor Project, and UNICEF, among many others. Much of the funding comes from Pokemon GO players and the in-app purchases they have made.
Pokemon GO is available for most mobile devices.
Sources: Anime News Network, Dexerto