Tag: Pikmin Bloom

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Mobile Syrup

Niantic to disable access to Pokémon Go and more in Russia

Niantic, the American developer behind popular titles like Pokémon Go, Ingress, and Pikmin Bloom is now taking action against Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The three above-mentioned games are no longer available for download in Russia and Belarus, and those who already have the games will soon be unable to access them, according to Niantic’s Tweet dated March 10th.

The move from Niantic comes soon after other video game developers and publishers restricted the Russian market in some capacity. Sony announced that it is suspending the sale of its consoles and software in Russia, along with shutting down its PlayStation Store for those accessing it from the nation. Whereas EA removed all Russian club and International teams from its FIFA and NHL titles along with ceasing all sales in Russia and Belarus, including games, content and even including virtual currency bundles.

Check out this roundup of all big tech/social media sanctions against Russia to read what other game developers/publishers like the Montreuil, France-based Ubisoft and the Warsaw, Poland-based CD Projekt Red are implementing.

Source: @NianticLabs

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Mobile Syrup

Niantic’s Pikmin Bloom was downloaded 2 million times in two weeks

Pikmin Bloom, Niantic’s latest augmented reality game that is very inspired by Pokémon Go, seems to be a moderate success — at least so far.

According to app analytics firm Sensor Tower (via Eurogamer), Pikmin Bloom has been downloaded 2 million times in the past two weeks. Breaking the numbers down further, nearly half of the installs come from users in Japan, with the U.S. holding second place and the U.K. coming in third.

In comparison, Pokémon Go hit 75 million downloads in its first two weeks and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite — which is shutting down in January 2022 — gained 12.4 million new users.

Of course, it’s important to note that Pikmin is a less popular property than Harry Potter, which makes these numbers seem far more positive. Niantic likely has far more modest goals when it comes to Pikmin Bloom.

In Pikmin Bloom, players grow and feed Pikmin creatures while collecting various flowers. The game is free-to-play and is available on iOS and Android. I’ve yet to try the game, but as a fan of the Pikmin series and in particular, Pikmin 3, I’m hoping to check it out over the holiday season.

Image credit: Niantic

Via: Eurogamer 

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Niantic’s Pikmin Bloom begins rolling out on Android and iOS

Nintendo has begun the global rollout of its next mobile game, Pikmin Bloom.

Developed by Pokémon Go maker Niantic, Pikmin Bloom is a similar location-based augmented reality smartphone experience. Unlike Pokémon Go, though, you don’t actually battle against any creatures. Instead, Pikmin Go is intended to be a more laidback experience that encourages walking around to grow your collection of titular critters in a combat-free way.

As you go around, you’ll find seedlings that can grow into the plant-like Pikmin. You’ll find more Pikmin as walk, and they’ll all follow you accordingly. You can also collect items like clothes for the Pikmin to wear and fruit to feed them. Meanwhile, you get to control a Mii avatar.

You can see more from the game in this official trailer, which features commentary from legendary Nintendo developer Shigeru Miyamoto and Niantic CEO John Hanke.

If you don’t yet see the game on Android or iOS, keep in mind that Pikmin Bloom‘s global launch began with Singapore and Australia. Nintendo says it’s rolling out to more regions “shortly.”