Japanese Pokémon Go launch delayed dragging down Nintendo shares

The smash hit app Pokémon Go, which allows people to catch Pokémon in their real-life surroundings before training them up to battle others, has taken the world by storm. The app already launched in 30 countries world wide. Japan was supposed to become the first Asian country to have access to the app this morning.

The launch was however delayed to the afternoon after a leak of confidential emails between app developer Niantic, the Pokémon Company and McDonalds – publicised that McDonalds restaurants are to become the game’s first official sponsored locations.

Later in the day the re-planned launch was also cancelled due to concerns that the servers may overload. An immense influx of users is to be expected in Japan since the country is home to the creators of Pokémon and likely to be one of the countries with the greatest hype around the new game.

Game developer Niantic has said they are working hard on ensuring sufficient server capacity for the expected user load. They are confident that the game will be able to accommodate huge user capacity once the it launches.

The new launch date is expected to be as soon as Thursday.

Disappointment over the delays sent Nintendo shares down 10 percent this morning. This ended a ten-day rally in which the owner of intellectual property rights to Pokémon doubled the market value of its stocks.

McDonalds Holdings Japan stock prices have however entered into another day of appreciation. Yesterday, in the first day of trading since McDonalds Japan started selling Pokémon Toys in their Happy Meals, stocks had already gained 5.2 percent, reaching its’ highest levels since late 2001.

Since it has become public that the 3,000 McDonalds restaurants in Japan will become Pokémon gyms (virtual arenas where players can come to battle one another) shares have jumped another 14 percent to its highest on Wednesday. At close on Wednesday share price stood 9.84 percent higher than the day before.

Shares are expected to rise further for all three company participants in the deal once the game launches in Japan and expands further into Asia.