Thousands flock to Hong Kong for 2-day ‘Pokemon Go City Safari’ event

Thousands of Pokemon enthusiasts from around the world have gathered in Hong Kong for a two-day event in which players of the popular mobile game can participate in quests to catch virtual creatures at local landmarks.

Gamers descended on Tsim Sha Tsui on Saturday morning for the inaugural “Pokemon Go City Safari” event, an extension of the augmented reality mobile game.

The event featured six themed areas: Sha Tin, Kowloon City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong Island, Cheung Chau and Ngong Ping.

Players will have an exclusive opportunity to encounter the Pokemon “Skiddo” before its global release.

Pokemon Go created a worldwide buzz when it first launched in 2016, allowing gamers to participate in real-life settings through augmented reality.

The game pits players against one another in battles, each with a set of three Pokemon. Players tap on the screen to attack with different gestures and gain points by knocking out their opponents.

In Hong Kong, the game recently received more attention after 16-year-old student Cheng Yip-kai, who plays under the username Yekai0904, became the first from the city to be crowned Pokemon Go world champion in August.