While some fans of video games can get pretty heated about them, most don't end up assaulting their friends over them. But like the teen arrested for threatening to blow up Konami, there is always that person that takes it way too far. Now, a man in Hokkaido has been arrested for assault and property damage against a friend over the mobile game Pokemon GO.
Pokemon GO is a mobile game where players catch Pokemon and battle against NPCs and other players to take over gym locations and get prizes. Gyms are special locations, like sponsored small business gyms that can draw in Pokemon GO players. Taking over Pokemon GO gyms lets players earn coins based on the amount of time that they defend them with their Pokemon. This can motivate fans of the game to try to hold onto a gym for as long as possible, and battling over a gym can apparently also lead to a real-life fighting, as well.
In Hokkaido, Japan, Kanehisa Satoh has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a friend over a gym in Pokemon GO. The 56-year-old met the friend playing the massive mobile game several years ago. The two were in a vehicle together in Ashibetsu City near where Satoh works, arguing over a gym location when the alteration allegedly took place.
Satoh was quoted as saying he became angry when his friend "had gone ahead and took my encampment," costing him in-game Pokemon GO rewards. Satoh was arrested by the Hokkaido Police Department at 11:00 PM on the 10th of August after allegedly grabbing his friend's chest and damaging the mirror of the friend's car. The charges are assault and property damage.
With a lot of players stressed about the global pandemic and all the events it has canceled, emotions can run high even while trying to just have a little fun. But assaulting friends is never the answer. It's highly unlikely that Kanehisa Satoh will be playing Pokemon GO while he's serving time in jail, even with all the play-at-home features that Pokemon GO has added.
All the other Pokemon GO players can look forward to Unova Week coming up soon in the hit mobile game. Players will have even more Pokemon to catch and gyms to raid. But hopefully no one else will lose their heads and start fights over battling for gyms in Pokemon GO.
Pokemon GO is available for most mobile devices.