While the Opera House and sex tutorials with videothe Harbour Bridge are just two of the stunning landmarks downtown Sydney, Australia has to offer, most visitors Sunday morning were far more interested in Bulbasaur, Psyduck and Krabby.
Ever since the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go launched in Australia Wednesday, it's been a phenomenon. The game rewards those who explore, and there are more than enough Pokémon and Pokéstops to go around for those who would prefer to search in a group.
SEE ALSO: Teen discovers body in river while playing 'Pokémon Go'Guy 'Yug' Blomberg, content manager at PAX Australia and Oz Comic-Con, decided to create a Facebook event for a Pokémon Go walk with friends in Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden, but was shocked to see RSVPs grow to more than 5,000.
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Blomberg told Mashable Australiahe estimated around 1,000 people attended Sunday. "I did not think it would be that big, so I was very surprised," he said. "It's definitely a thing. It's getting people out of the house."
Although players had their heads down in their smartphones, it was still something of a social experience. Wherever rare Pokémon appeared, people would call out and crowds would gather. The abundance of lures, which attract the creatures, meant there were plenty to choose from.
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The Pokéwalk wasn't all smooth sailing, however. The server troubles that have plagued the game since launch were also an issue. "There were absolutely times when the servers went down," Blomberg said. "Everyone would just stop, look up and look around."
With so many Pokémon to catch Sunday, Blomberg admitted the walk was hardly a speedy one. He also suggested a name change for the game. "It's more like 'Pokémon stop,'" he laughed.
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