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It seems as though nowhere is safe from the craze that is Pokemon Go. Yesterday Moscow City Hall announced they are creating their own version of the app. Instead of capturing a Pikachu or Jigglypuff, users will be able to walk around Moscow capturing historical figures against the backdrop of the city.
Famous faces that the app will place around Moscow include Yuri Gagarin, Alexander Pushkin, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great and Napoleon Bonaparte. Users will be able to catch these figures by taking a selfie next to their 3D representation on their smartphones.
Called the “Discover Moscow. Photo” app, it will be available in late August. Moscow City Hall are evidently hoping that the success of Pokemon Go’s augmented reality can help bring their city alive, whilst also encouraging people to walk around the capital.
Somewhat ironically, Pokemon Go hasn’t yet been released in Russia due to server capacity issues. The app has been criticised by various pro-Kremlin figures like politician Yevgeny Fyodorov, and its release in Russia has been postponed indefinitely.
Pokemon Go’s success is unprecedented – it broke the record for the most downloads from the App store in its first week, and is estimated to have over 75 million total downloads worldwide. It remains to be seen whether Moscow will be able to replicate some of this success with their augmented reality offering.
