Despite sanctions, Crimeans can download Pokemon Go
Crimean residents can download and play the popular mobile game, Pokémon Go, despite western sanctions and despite the fact that game has not been officially released in Russia yet, RIA Novosti reported.
It is not possible to install the game directly onto a mobile phone with an Android operating system as Google Play services are not available in the Crimea as a result of the sanctions.
The ban can, however, be circumvented by installing a VPN, which is a program allowing the establishment of a new Internet connection on a mobile phone. Users could also buy a SIM card from another Russian region where the Google Play sanctions are not applied.
According Krym.Realii, Crimean Pokémon Go fans find each other through social networks. They use these networks to publish instructions for installing the game, to make appointments to meet in reality and to share photos.
Pokémon Go is a reality game for mobile phones. Players are invited to look for Pokémon’s, which are virtual creatures, in the real world. Pokémon Go for Android and iOS was released on the 6th of July 2016 in the US, Australia and New Zealand. It was launched in almost all European countries on the 16th of July. The official release has not yet happened in Russia and Ukraine. The game can still be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play by changing some of the settings on smart phones.