Pokémon GO Adds Hindi Language Support for Indian Gamers

Pokémon GO, the wildly popular augmented reality-based mobile game developed by Niantic in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, is making significant strides in India by adding support for the Hindi language. This move aims to foster inclusivity and broaden the game’s appeal to a wider Indian audience.

Omar Tellez, Vice President for Emerging Markets at Niantic, expressed optimism about the impact of this development, stating, “The Hindi version of Pokémon GO will promote inclusivity, encourage engagement, and enable more players to embark on their Pokémon GO adventures. We are certain that this step by us with The Pokémon Company will further help us in widening our audience base in the country.”

Hindi becomes the sixth Asian language and the 15th language globally in which Pokémon GO has been localized. This expansion reflects the game’s commitment to reaching diverse audiences and making the Pokémon universe accessible to players from various linguistic backgrounds.

The journey of Pokémon GO in India began in December 2016, following its initial global launch in July 2016. In this location-based mobile game, players embark on real-world adventures to capture, train, and battle virtual creatures known as Pokémon. Over the years, the game’s Pokémon roster has expanded to over 1,000 creatures, a remarkable evolution from the 151 Pokémon that marked its inception.

India has emerged as one of the game’s top markets in terms of app downloads, with over a billion downloads worldwide. To enhance the gameplay experience for Indian users, Niantic has introduced over five lakh Pokéstops across the country, the largest such addition globally. Pokéstops are real-world places of interest where players can collect in-game items, fostering exploration and cultural discovery.

To commemorate the launch of Pokémon GO in Hindi, Niantic is hosting a month-long special in-game event exclusively for Indian players. This event features a unique set of research quests, including Field Research, Timed Research, and Bonuses, all offering special rewards. These quests may involve tasks such as capturing specific Pokémon, walking predetermined distances with Buddy Pokémon, and engaging in battles with other players.

A key aspect of localizing the game for India involves renaming over 800 Pokémon in Hindi, making them more relatable and appealing to Indian fans. The Pokémon Company has undertaken this extensive effort to align with the local culture and preferences of Indian players.

Takato Utsunomiya, Chief Operating Officer of The Pokémon Company, emphasized the significance of India as a key market and the long-term vision for enriching the Pokémon world within the country. Utsunomiya stated, “India is one of our key markets. We believe the localization into Hindi marks the starting point of a long journey to come. We aim to firmly establish ourselves in India with our long-term vision and hope to further enrich the Pokémon world hand-in-hand with the Pokémon fan community.”

The journey of localization involved over nine months of collaboration between Niantic and The Pokémon Company, ensuring that the game’s content accurately represents Hindi language and culture. This meticulous process reflects the commitment to providing an authentic and enjoyable gaming experience for Indian players.

Beyond language localization, Niantic is investing in building a local team to strengthen its presence in India, recognizing the country’s growing importance in the global mobile gaming market. Currently, Niantic has around 13 team members dedicated to marketing and business development in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Pokémon GO’s move to support Hindi language is a significant step towards engaging a wider Indian audience, fostering cultural relevance, and contributing to the continued growth of the Pokémon universe in India.