Google’s April Fool’s Day Challenge: Be A Pokémon Master Using Google Maps
For April Fool’s Day, Google gives ordinary citizens of the world a chance to become a Pokémon Master by using Google Maps. The catch is simple: you just gotta catch ‘em all!
The Pokémon Challenge allows anyone with iOS or Android devices to participate in the quest. They need to launch the Google Maps app, tap “Search” then “Press Start.” A blue Pokeball icon will then appear to indicate that the game has started.
As a player, you have to find and catch at least 150 Pokémons that are scattered around the world. If you find one, you need to tap the Pokémon and a prompt with a “catch” sign will appear. Tap on “catch,” and the Pokémon will be added to your Pokédex.
So what’s in it for you if you are able to catch all Pokémons?
Aside from having the bragging rights of being called a Pokémon master, you also have the chance to score a job at Google. The job position? It’s Pokémon Master, of course.
Don’t hold your breath for Google to fly you to its Googleplex in California any time soon. Remember, the challenge was announced on April Fool’s Day so it’s highly unlikely that it’s a serious job offer.
A disclaimer at the end of the announcement reads:
“Side effects of the Pokémon Challenge may include extreme excitement and a sense of accomplishment. Do not operate the Pokémon Challenge in Google Maps while driving or operating heavy machinery.
“Our hiring committee must first battle to determine who can best judge the Pokémon Master. The battle date has yet to be set. So the role of Pokémon Master is not yet available.”
But in any case, according to Brian McClendon, VP of Google Maps, the winner will start to work at Google on September 1.
You have to hurry, though. Pokémon Challenge ends on April 2 at 2:00 PDT.
Here are few tips on finding Pokémons: many of them can be found in and near famous landmarks. There are Pokémons finding at the Empire State Building in New York, at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, at Pompeii in Italy, at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, at the Vatican, and at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Pokémons are also scattered around Sydney, more particularly near the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour Bridge.
Also, the most famous Pokémon, Pikachu, is at the Tokyo Tower in Japan.
For the complete list of the Pokémons’ hiding places, head onto the Pokémon April Fools Wiki.