Pokemon Go launch delayed in France out of respect for recent tragedy

Pokemon Go is well on its way to becoming a full-blown cultural phenomenon, but its release in France has been postponed in France. Niantic had announced that the game was supposed to go live on Friday in the region, but they elected not to roll it out due to the attack in Nice.

The Pokemon Company confirmed this postponement, indicating that they didn’t want to draw attention away from those affected by attack. This appears to be a savvy and respectful move by these development partners, seeing as Pokemon Go’s rollout in other areas has had a tendency to completely dominate the news. In addition to concerns that that their product might dilute coverage and potential support for victims and the families of victims, the companies have also expressed concerns about the game encouraging “inappropriate gatherings.”

Said gatherings are probably a reference to people potentially attempting to collect Pokemon in the area where the Nice attack took place. These are understandable concerns, as the augmented reality game has proven to be controversial for places like Holocaust museums and cemeteries.

It is not yet known when Pokemon Go will release in France, but we would be surprised if the delay is longer than a week or two. While we wait, let us know what you think of this delay in the comments. An apt demonstration of respect or an unnecessary postponement? Tell us your opinion.