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'Pokémon GO': Server Issues Push Japan Release Date To End of July, Other Asian Countries, India, South American Launch Uncertain

'Pokémon GO': Server Issues Push Japan Release Date To End of July, Other Asian Countries, India, South American Launch Uncertain

Jazz Rosin

The mobile game phenomenon "Pokémon GO" has now invaded the US, Australia, New Zealand, and a handful of European countries. However, Japan, the origin of Pokémon, is getting left behind, with its release date reportedly pushed back to end of July.

Niantic Labs CEO John Hanke cited server issues as the reason why Japanese players will not be experiencing the game sooner.

"At present, the server capacity in Japan is not powerful enough," Hanke told Forbes. "We are working hard with our partners in Japan to enable the servers to keep up with demand once the game goes online there."

Server issues have been hampering "Pokémon GO" since its official launch in July 6, so this is nothing new. It is sorely disappointing for Japanese gamers who are avid fans of the franchise.

It also looks like Japan is not the only Asian country who is having difficulties getting the game to launch.

Because Google's map information in Korea is limited due to security concerns over North Korea, Niantic is struggling to launch the game in South Korea as well.

China is also a major concern. "It is technically possible," Hanke said. "But difficult to introduce due to the many hurdles, or should I say regulations we'd have to clear to get it to users."

Niantic Labs has recently announced that the game is now officially available in Canada.

Prior to this, the game was also launched in twenty-six new countries, 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.

With most of the European countries ticked on Niantic Labs' list, it will only be a matter of time before it starts rolling out in other countries like India and South American countries.

Is "Pokémon GO" now available in your country? Follow the official "Pokémon GO" Twitter account @PokemonGOApp for further announcements.

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