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Pokémon Go makers call for calm as servers crash across Europe and US Pokémon Go makers call for calm as servers crash across Europe and US
(about 3 hours later)
Pokémon Go servers crashed across Europe and the US on Saturday, as global demand for the hit mobile app soared in its first weekend since being launched in the UK.Pokémon Go servers crashed across Europe and the US on Saturday, as global demand for the hit mobile app soared in its first weekend since being launched in the UK.
Players in 26 countries took advantage of mostly good weather to venture outdoors to hunt and capture their first Pokémon creatures, with millions having downloaded the game in its first days since release.Players in 26 countries took advantage of mostly good weather to venture outdoors to hunt and capture their first Pokémon creatures, with millions having downloaded the game in its first days since release.
The app, developed by Niantic and part-owned by Nintendo, calls on users to move around the real world, overlaying their normal landscape with an augmented reality that projects digital creatures on to the streets around them.The app, developed by Niantic and part-owned by Nintendo, calls on users to move around the real world, overlaying their normal landscape with an augmented reality that projects digital creatures on to the streets around them.
Confirming users’ difficulty accessing the game, Niantic said on its website: “Due to the incredible number of Pokémon GO downloads, some Trainers are experiencing server connectivity issues. Don’t worry, our team is on it!”Confirming users’ difficulty accessing the game, Niantic said on its website: “Due to the incredible number of Pokémon GO downloads, some Trainers are experiencing server connectivity issues. Don’t worry, our team is on it!”
Related: Pokémon Go becomes global craze as game overtakes Twitter for US usersRelated: Pokémon Go becomes global craze as game overtakes Twitter for US users
Meanwhile, a hacking group called PoodleCorp claimed responsibility for the servers being down, according to Reddit.Meanwhile, a hacking group called PoodleCorp claimed responsibility for the servers being down, according to Reddit.
The problems in Europe follow the US launch of the game on 6 July, which caused servers to crash due to overwhelming demand. The game launched in the UK on Thursday.The problems in Europe follow the US launch of the game on 6 July, which caused servers to crash due to overwhelming demand. The game launched in the UK on Thursday.
Users posted on social media to complain that the augmented-reality game was regularly freezing.Users posted on social media to complain that the augmented-reality game was regularly freezing.
The server meltdown follows a series of robberies related to Pokémon Go. Three students in Manchester have been robbed at knifepoint of their mobile phones while playing the game.The server meltdown follows a series of robberies related to Pokémon Go. Three students in Manchester have been robbed at knifepoint of their mobile phones while playing the game.
Someone take the 10 year olds phones away so us adults can continue playing Pokemon go without the servers crashing 😒😂Someone take the 10 year olds phones away so us adults can continue playing Pokemon go without the servers crashing 😒😂
Pokémon Go had recovered from its 6 July US launch after many users were unable to sign in or populate their maps. But 10 days later, the phenomenon has been a victim of its own success, as gamers hooked on the addictive game have gone into withdrawal.Pokémon Go had recovered from its 6 July US launch after many users were unable to sign in or populate their maps. But 10 days later, the phenomenon has been a victim of its own success, as gamers hooked on the addictive game have gone into withdrawal.
How am I expected to be the very best when the pokemon servers keep crashingHow am I expected to be the very best when the pokemon servers keep crashing
With an estimated 21 million active users, there is no estimated time when the game will be made available again, according to Nintendo.With an estimated 21 million active users, there is no estimated time when the game will be made available again, according to Nintendo.
Please be aware that most trainers are still unable to log in at this time. Hang in there! #PokemonGOPlease be aware that most trainers are still unable to log in at this time. Hang in there! #PokemonGO
In the UK, the players were targeted in Hulme, Manchester, on Friday night just hours after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) warned of the dangers of using the phone app.In the UK, the players were targeted in Hulme, Manchester, on Friday night just hours after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) warned of the dangers of using the phone app.
The force had said it was concerned that the app could provide another online avenue for criminals to exploit. Its advice to users included paying attention to their surroundings, especially in built-up areas.The force had said it was concerned that the app could provide another online avenue for criminals to exploit. Its advice to users included paying attention to their surroundings, especially in built-up areas.
Related: Pokémon Go: armed robbers use mobile game to lure players into trapRelated: Pokémon Go: armed robbers use mobile game to lure players into trap
GMP City Centre tweeted: “GMP warning on Pokemon Go risks soon confirmed as 3 students robbed of phones in Hulme last night chasing Pokemon.” The robberies took place in Hulme Park at about 8pm, added police.GMP City Centre tweeted: “GMP warning on Pokemon Go risks soon confirmed as 3 students robbed of phones in Hulme last night chasing Pokemon.” The robberies took place in Hulme Park at about 8pm, added police.
Det Supt Joanne Rawlinson said: “We know that criminals move quickly to exploit the latest developments to target victims and Pokemon Go will already be in their sights.Det Supt Joanne Rawlinson said: “We know that criminals move quickly to exploit the latest developments to target victims and Pokemon Go will already be in their sights.
“There have already been incidents in America where young people are thought to have been targeted through the app. I would urge parents to speak to their children about the app and the best ways to make sure they stay safe. Talking to your child is one of the best ways to keep them safe.”“There have already been incidents in America where young people are thought to have been targeted through the app. I would urge parents to speak to their children about the app and the best ways to make sure they stay safe. Talking to your child is one of the best ways to keep them safe.”
On Saturday night, reports emerged from Connecticut, in the United States, of two young men hunting Pokemon who stumbled across a naked woman engaged in vandalism.
The game had led the men to the prayer garden of St Luke’s Church, a Roman Catholic church in Westport, on Wednesday, but instead of a Squirtle, they found a nude woman who was vandalising the property. Police said the woman had pulled lights from the ground, overturned a statue and benches, and was throwing rubbish from her car into a baptismal pond.
The men called the police and the woman, a 40-year-old Bridgeport resident, was taken to a local hospital for observation. She was not arrested. Church officials say the damage to the garden can be repaired.