Earlier this week, Los Angeles and surrounding cities in California had been struck by a number of wildfires and intense Santa Ana winds that triggered catastrophic harm to Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and different areas. Main Hollywood occasions and professional sports activities video games had been canceled within the wake of the fires. Nevertheless, Niantic has introduced that it nonetheless plans to go ahead with subsequent month’s Pokemon Go Tour: Unova – Los Angeles occasion in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl stadium.
“Our crew has been fastidiously observing the state of affairs in Los Angeles with the well-being of Pasadena, higher Los Angeles, and naturally our Niantic neighborhood,” mentioned Niantic’s director of communications, Mark Van Lommel, in a press release to Dos Esports. “Whereas we’re presently persevering with our preparations, any updates relating to the occasion can be shared as they turn into accessible.”
The Los Angeles fires are nonetheless ongoing and have been massively devastating to the neighborhood and the individuals who stay there. Details about how to help the affected victims can be found here.
Though the wildfires have additionally struck Pasadena, the Rose Bowl is presently undamaged and accessible for the Pokemon Go Tour: Unova – Los Angeles on February 21-23. Previous to the fires, Niantic introduced that the occasion will mark the Pokemon Go debut of Black Kyurem and White Kyurem forward of their international rollout on March 1.
Late final yr, Niantic revealed that it has used the actions of Pokemon Go gamers to create a real-world AI navigation mannequin. Whereas Niantic subsequently mentioned it would not need its AI mannequin used for conflict, the corporate did not rule out promoting the information to governments. In different Pokemon information, the Japanese mob is reportedly utilizing Pokemon playing cards to launder cash. Moreover, Pokemon Buying and selling Card Sport Pocket, one of many franchise’s different cell video games, attracted 30 million downloads in its first week alone. One of many subsequent video games within the sequence, Pokemon Legends Z-A, can be launched later this yr.