SINGAPORE — After years of feedback, Niantic has announced that the Singapore version of Pokémon GO will no longer feature Pikachu, Charizard or Mewtwo. Instead, players can now hunt for Singapore's rarest creatures: empty MRT seats, available parking lots, and affordable chicken rice.
The update, titled Pokémon GO: Singapore Edition, has already been described by critics as "the hardest game ever created."
According to Niantic, focus groups showed that Singaporean players reacted far more emotionally upon seeing an empty seat during the morning commute than they did upon encountering a legendary Pokémon.
"When participants saw a wild Articuno, they said, 'Quite nice.' When they saw an empty MRT seat approaching City Hall, several burst into tears," explained regional director Kereta bin Dudok.
The company says rarity tiers have also been updated.
Common:
- Tissue packet on hawker table
- Someone saying "Sorry" after bumping into you
Rare
- Empty parking lot
- Grab fare below S$10
- Your manager saying sorry
Legendary
- Empty MRT seat during peak hour
- Chicken rice under S$3
- $1 COE
The game's augmented reality mode has also been enhanced.
Instead of throwing Poké Balls, players must now sprint towards the empty seat before another commuter notices it. If successful, the phone displays:
Congratulations! You caught Empty MRT Seat!
Comfort +50
Standing Damage -100%
Respect From Fellow Commuters -5%
Researchers from the Jurong Institution Association of Organisation (JIAO) believe the update will finally make Pokémon GO relevant again.
"Frankly, we've all seen enough Pikachus," said Professor Liak Boh Kiu. "But an empty MRT seat? People will tell their grandchildren where they were when they saw one."
At press time, Singapore players had already begun ignoring actual Pokémon after reports emerged that a Shiny Empty Circle Line Seat had spawned for approximately three stations before vanishing forever.
#singapore