Japan

TropicalChickens says, "I could write for hours about this trip, but here's the abridged version. This year I'm studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea. Over winter break I decided to go to Japan and embark on my very own Pokémon journey. Over the course of 7 days, I went to all 7 Pokémon Centers scattered throughout Japan. I had only the clothes on my back as well as a duffel bag to store my merchandise: just as a true Pokémon trainer would live daily. It was amazing to say the least, though exhausting (look up the distance from Seoul to Shimonoseki to Sapporo and double it). When I returned home, my girlfriend and I made Pikachu pancakes from a mould I bought and to this very day I marvel at my collection. I hope this post inspires Pokémon fans to save up some money to go on your own adventure. I only have two regrets: spending too much money and not spending enough money. Thanks for reading :)"

Here's a little run-down of what Masuda discusses in the message: Masuda begins by talking about X&Y being the first Pokémon games to release globally at the same time, and how he's excited behind the idea of battling and trading between players at the same time. It is then explained how the games take place in Kalos, which is inspired by France. As such, Masuda decided that the theme of the games is beauty. There's a little mention of how France is known for it's fashion and culinary sophistication. The name "Kalos" comes from the ancient Greek for beauty. Masuda then talks about his visits to France, as mentioned above. When visiting France, Masuda make sure to carry out research on specific areas, such as the Carnac Stones, something he couldn't do at home in Japan. Lumiose City is also based on the centre of France: Paris! After this there's not much information disclosed. Masuda discusses a little about how he was getting recognised in France by members of the localisation team, and a quick reveal of Monorpale, going on to say how he doesn't want to reveal everything before the game's release in October.

Niantic set out to break down the barrier between purely handheld Pokemon gaming, and actually being able to train and battle, and capture Pokemon IRL, with their real world gaming platform Pokemon GO.

If these three images are any indication of what we might be able to expect from Pokemon GO and the platforms unique mobile location tech. / augmented reality gaming effectiveness; well then we are in for a mighty fine treat, indeed. 

Just like the game players can only catch certain wild Pokemon in certain native environments. You're not about to find a Wailord straight chillin' in a sandbox at your nearest park. And much like how the game works, you'll have to get those steps in to hatch any eggs you acquire.

I just can't wait for the battles to start up. Come at me bro. An early user field test hits Japan soon and there's no release date, so realistically it's probably time to cruise over there.

And just in case your juices were't already flowing, here is some footage from the SXSW Gaming Panel to give you a better look at Pokemon GO in action.

These mugs were only sold at the Pokémon Centers in Japan for a very limited time and in very limited quantity, in February, 2013, during the "Poké Tail" campaign.

Amidst all the Pokémon GO madness, it's heartwarming, bittersweet moments like this that can really strike a chord of positivity in an otherwise mad and wild circus.

So, when a Japanese Pokémon GO player tweeted that he found his deceased younger brother's favorite pokémon beside his headstone, it's a nice bit of serendipity.