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Tag: John Hanke

  • Skyesports-The Pokemon Co flag off Pokémon Unite winter esports tournament

    Skyesports-The Pokemon Co flag off Pokémon Unite winter esports tournament

    MUMBAI: Remember the global frenzy when Niantic’s John Hanke unleashed Pokémon GO, sparking a worldwide revolution and rekindling childhood nostalgia?

    That unexpected masterpiece didn’t just exceed expectations—it redefined mobile gaming, amassing nearly eight billion in lifetime revenue across the App Store and Google Play. With its best financial year in 2020, raking in $908.94 million, and a still-impressive $655.24 million in 2022, Pokémon GO became a cultural phenomenon, turning sidewalks into battlefields and parks into Pokémon havens.

    For many of us, it wasn’t just a game—it was a time machine. It whisked us back to those cherished afternoons of munching on lunch while glued to the TV, cheering as Ash and Pikachu braved another adventure. Now, as the Pokémon legacy continues to thrive, a new chapter is here to reignite the excitement.

    In a move to keep the spirit alive and burning, The Pokémon Company, in collaboration with Skyesports, has announced the Pokémon Unite Winter Tournament India 2025. This grassroots esports extravaganza promises not only glory but also a chance for Indian players to compete for national pride on the international stage. Get ready, trainers—the journey isn’t over yet!

    The tournament features a prize pool of $10,000, with the ultimate victor earning a coveted spot in the Pokémon Unite Asia Champions League 2025 finals. Scheduled to take place in Shinjuku, Japan, on 29-30 March, the finals will host elite teams from across Asia.

    Registrations for the tournament are now live on the official website and will close on 29 January 2025. The event begins with a qualifier stage, followed by group stages, and culminates in the playoffs. The top eight teams will battle through a double-elimination bracket, aiming for the prestigious international slot.

    Tournament schedule:

    1    Qualifier Stage: Single-elimination bracket (1-2 February)

    2    Group Stage: Four groups in a single round-robin format (8 February)

    3    Playoffs: Top two teams from each group compete in double elimination (9 February)

    The tournament complements the ongoing Pokémon Unite ACL India League, which engages top-tier organisations such as S8UL, GodLike, Revenant XSpark, and Global Esports. While the ACL India League focuses on professional teams, the winter tournament serves as a platform for aspiring talent.

    An executive from the Pokémon company highlighted the initiative’s dual approach: “While the ACL India League supports the top-tier organisations of the country, the Winter Tournament highlights our commitment to grassroots development. By supporting players at every level—from grassroots to the pro scene—we aim to ensure the sustainable growth of Pokémon Unite esports in India.”

    Skyesports, CEO & founder, Shiva Nandy added, “We are thrilled to introduce the open-for-all Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament. This competition gives every aspiring pro player a chance to shine and represent the country in Japan. The tournament underscores Skyesports’ vision of giving Indian players and teams a chance to compete on the global stage. Best of luck to all participants.”

    Pokémon Unite’s dynamic 10-minute matches have fuelled its rapid rise in India, cultivating a vibrant ecosystem of players and fans. This winter tournament aims to nurture this growth further, ensuring continued momentum for Pokémon Unite  esports in the country.

  • Jio brings ‘Pokeman Go’ to India; ties up with Niantic

    Jio brings ‘Pokeman Go’ to India; ties up with Niantic

    MUMBAI: Reliance Jio Infocomm today delighted Indian gamers by bringing the sought-after, first-of-its-kind, Augmented Reality game ‘Pokémon GO’ to India in a partnership withNiantic, Inc.- publisher and developer of Pokémon GO in association with The Pokémon Company. With this partnership, thousands of Reliance Digital Stores and select partner premises in India will appear as ‘PokéStops’ or ‘Gyms’ in the Pokémon GO game beginning 14 December, 2016.

    This launch is in line with Jio’s mission to empower Indians with opportunities that are fuelled by the power of data and a Digital Life and to delight them on an ongoing basis with entertainment-based apps, such as ‘Pokémon GO,’ the leading app in the gaming category.

    “We are delighted to partner with Jio to launch Pokémon GO in India,” said Niantic founder and CEO John Hanke. “It’s exciting to see Pokémon fans in India step out and explore their neighbourhoods in search of Pokémon and Jio’s disruptive high speed 4G LTE Network will be an excellent way to experience the game.”

    The two companies will work together to bring Indians a richer and more enjoyable mobile entertainment experience for Pokémon GO, including activating Jio retail locations and charging stations as PokéStops and Gyms within the game and allowing Indians to catch, train, and battle at any of Jio’s outlets throughout the country.

    On Jio’s social messaging app, JioChat, Pokémon players have access to an exclusive Pokémon Go Channel. The Pokémon Go Channel will enable Pokémon Go players to collaborate and be part of an exciting community of players with daily tips, contests, clues, and special events. The Pokémon Go Channel on JioChat a fun way to socialize with other players and level-up faster.

    “With over 500 million downloads globally, we are excited to launch Pokémon GO officially in India on the Reliance Jio network,” said Reliance Jio president Mathew Oommen. “Our partnership with Niantic not only brings access to the Pokémon GO app but also opens the door to more opportunities for our customers to enjoy content on Jio’s one-of-a-kind mobile broadband network.”

    The partnership puts Pokémon GO players on a world-class all-IP data strong network, and during the Happy New Year Offer, Jio SIM customers will be able to download and play Pokémon GO without incurring data charges, like any other apps and content, till 31 March 2017.

  • Jio brings ‘Pokeman Go’ to India; ties up with Niantic

    Jio brings ‘Pokeman Go’ to India; ties up with Niantic

    MUMBAI: Reliance Jio Infocomm today delighted Indian gamers by bringing the sought-after, first-of-its-kind, Augmented Reality game ‘Pokémon GO’ to India in a partnership withNiantic, Inc.- publisher and developer of Pokémon GO in association with The Pokémon Company. With this partnership, thousands of Reliance Digital Stores and select partner premises in India will appear as ‘PokéStops’ or ‘Gyms’ in the Pokémon GO game beginning 14 December, 2016.

    This launch is in line with Jio’s mission to empower Indians with opportunities that are fuelled by the power of data and a Digital Life and to delight them on an ongoing basis with entertainment-based apps, such as ‘Pokémon GO,’ the leading app in the gaming category.

    “We are delighted to partner with Jio to launch Pokémon GO in India,” said Niantic founder and CEO John Hanke. “It’s exciting to see Pokémon fans in India step out and explore their neighbourhoods in search of Pokémon and Jio’s disruptive high speed 4G LTE Network will be an excellent way to experience the game.”

    The two companies will work together to bring Indians a richer and more enjoyable mobile entertainment experience for Pokémon GO, including activating Jio retail locations and charging stations as PokéStops and Gyms within the game and allowing Indians to catch, train, and battle at any of Jio’s outlets throughout the country.

    On Jio’s social messaging app, JioChat, Pokémon players have access to an exclusive Pokémon Go Channel. The Pokémon Go Channel will enable Pokémon Go players to collaborate and be part of an exciting community of players with daily tips, contests, clues, and special events. The Pokémon Go Channel on JioChat a fun way to socialize with other players and level-up faster.

    “With over 500 million downloads globally, we are excited to launch Pokémon GO officially in India on the Reliance Jio network,” said Reliance Jio president Mathew Oommen. “Our partnership with Niantic not only brings access to the Pokémon GO app but also opens the door to more opportunities for our customers to enjoy content on Jio’s one-of-a-kind mobile broadband network.”

    The partnership puts Pokémon GO players on a world-class all-IP data strong network, and during the Happy New Year Offer, Jio SIM customers will be able to download and play Pokémon GO without incurring data charges, like any other apps and content, till 31 March 2017.

  • Discovery US, Google Earth in content alliance

    Discovery US, Google Earth in content alliance

    MUMBAI: Discovery US has announced the availability of its video content on Google Earth.

    This is a satellite imagery-based mapping product that combines 3D buildings and terrain with mapping capability and Google search.

    For the first time, Discovery will provide streaming video on Google Earth for locations around the world including popular destinations, historic sites and natural wonders, among others.

    Discovery will offer video content showcasing 10 of America’s most popular national parks, including Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and Dinosaur National Park. By clicking on Discovery’s globe icon shown at destination sites at which Discovery video content is available, Google Earth users will launch an interactive broadband player hosted by Discovery that will enable them to select from several two-to four-minute videos from Discovery’s rich archive at each target destination.

    Discovery senior executive VP for strategy and development Don Baer says, “By combining Discovery’s wealth of knowledge-based content with Google Earth’s innovative platform and technology, consumers have an unparalleled opportunity to explore our world as never before. With the worldwide appeal and utility of Discovery’s programming, the possibilities for exploration are endless.”

    Google Maps/Local/Earth director John Hanke says, “Google Earth users worldwide can now access enriching and educational videos that capture the breadth and detail of popular destinations and national landmarks. Discovery’s video content complements the immersive experience of Google Earth and aligns well with our company mission to deliver the world’s information directly to users.”

    Among Discovery’s core content genres of History, Science, the Natural World, Travel and Adventure and Animals, users will find:

    – Video content for 10 destinations available beginning today: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, The Everglades, Point Reyes National Seashore, Mt. Rushmore, Alaska National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Santa Monica Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns and Dinosaur National Park.

    – Ongoing content updates and additions, including videos for nearly 50 new locations spanning the globe in the coming months.

    – Special features on Discovery’s specials such as the upcoming global series Discovery Atlas, an ambitious HD project, offering both video and companion content for 30 countries included in a multi-year programming franchise beginning with China, Brazil, Italy and Australia later this year.