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Pokémon Global Link Sees A Delay

The earthquake in Japan pushes back Pokémon Black/White's online offerings.

Bad news for Pokémon Black and White owners: the Pokémon Global Link won’t be going live on March 30, 2011 as was planned. According to the Global Link Web site, the launch of the online portal has been postponed as a direct result of the disaster in Japan and the very real need to conserve resources. No new date has been set as of this moment. 

"As a result of the earthquake in Japan and the need to conserve energy resources, the launch date has been temporarily delayed," the site says, via Destructoid. "When a new launch date is determined, it will be published here on the Pokémon Global Link." 
 

No Caption Provided

The Global Link is a neat addition that’ll allow registered users to access to the Pokémon Dream World, a place that gives you the opportunity to talk to other players, find unique items, and obtain new Pokémon for your copy of the game. The Global Link will also be host to the Global Battle Union, a service that lets you fight other players online via Wi-Fi and records match results. Promising stuff, and we'll be glad to see it when it's safe and OK for publisher Nintendo to make it available.

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BradNicholson

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Edited By BradNicholson

Bad news for Pokémon Black and White owners: the Pokémon Global Link won’t be going live on March 30, 2011 as was planned. According to the Global Link Web site, the launch of the online portal has been postponed as a direct result of the disaster in Japan and the very real need to conserve resources. No new date has been set as of this moment. 

"As a result of the earthquake in Japan and the need to conserve energy resources, the launch date has been temporarily delayed," the site says, via Destructoid. "When a new launch date is determined, it will be published here on the Pokémon Global Link." 
 

No Caption Provided

The Global Link is a neat addition that’ll allow registered users to access to the Pokémon Dream World, a place that gives you the opportunity to talk to other players, find unique items, and obtain new Pokémon for your copy of the game. The Global Link will also be host to the Global Battle Union, a service that lets you fight other players online via Wi-Fi and records match results. Promising stuff, and we'll be glad to see it when it's safe and OK for publisher Nintendo to make it available.
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Hef

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Edited By Hef

Fuckin finally

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chronomac

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Edited By chronomac

If anyone complains about this, they're a douche.

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49th

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Edited By 49th

Speaking of pokemon... where's that quick look!?

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Forderz

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Edited By Forderz

Just because I complain doesn't mean I don't agree with the delay. 8|

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wolf_blitzer85

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Edited By wolf_blitzer85

Yup, my Pokemans can wait.
 
Although I am really curious in just seeing how it all works. It sounds like a really neat concept.

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Th3_James

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Edited By Th3_James

Pokemon!

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Ley_Lines

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Edited By Ley_Lines
@49th:  right behind the vib-ribon and Michigan report from hell quicklooks we were promised long ago.
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Little_Socrates

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Edited By Little_Socrates

For some reason I thought the Dream World was a part of the main game. 
 
Well, good on Nintendo for making a good decision.

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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA

"bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."
 
disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.
 
I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this.

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stalefishies

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Edited By stalefishies

The online stuff should really have been in there at launch.

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lokilaufey

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Edited By lokilaufey

I'm very disappointed, as I beat the game even before I the original date it was set for... 
BUT... 
anyone who holds it against them for delaying it for this reason is ridiculous. They have every right to be responsible and delay it.

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Video_Game_King

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Edited By Video_Game_King
@49th said:
" Speaking of pokemon... where's that quick look!? "
That was also delayed because of the earthquake. I don't know how, but that's why :P.
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OneManX

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Edited By OneManX
@ZmillA said:
" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
Wait... what?
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Undeadpool

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Edited By Undeadpool

On the one hand, while this is relevant to a gaming website, there's gotta be a better way to say it. On the other hand: who amongst the people expressing outrage about this being reported have actually donated anything to the relief effort?

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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA
@OneManX said:

" @ZmillA said:

" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
Wait... what? "
how dare that earthquake hold back online pokemon access!!
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Kyreo

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Edited By Kyreo

I figured SOMEthing would get delayed.  It's a bummer that it is Pokemon and not something else.

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Ghostiet

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Edited By Ghostiet
@ZmillA said:
" @OneManX said:

" @ZmillA said:

" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
Wait... what? "
how dare that earthquake hold back online pokemon access!! "
 Yes, because it was clearly written as "fucking Japan, why can't they stop that earthquake for a bit so I can catch some pokemanz".
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Death_Unicorn

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Edited By Death_Unicorn
@ZmillA: It's not like he's implying that the earthquake was a horrible thing because it denies some pokemon fans access to black/white's online features.  
 
This is just some news due to a horrible event, you don't have to be so snarky about it. I'm sure nobody is going to get up in arms about this...
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Getz

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Edited By Getz
@ZmillA said:
" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
your self-righteousness is palpable.
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jacksukeru

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Edited By jacksukeru

I'd heard that people were a bit shaken up by the whole thing, but I havent usedmy radioactive-ly enough to get any further details.

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xpgamer7

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Edited By xpgamer7

I'm okay with this.

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Protonguy

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Edited By Protonguy
@chronomac: Well one could argue a feature advertised for something should of been available when you bought the product in the first place.
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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA
@Getz said:
" @ZmillA said:
" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
your self-righteousness is palpable. "
I represent those who would be offended.
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chronomac

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Edited By chronomac
@Protonguy:  True, but my comments are about the further delay. You can complain that it wasn't available last week, but I think it would really tasteless to keep complaining after this disaster.
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Aaron_G

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Edited By Aaron_G

I am glad they are delaying this to dedicate resources to the relief effort in Japan. 

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Mcfart

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Edited By Mcfart

Who cares? This is news? Who plays online on the DS? You can't even use a WEP password with Wireless N, and I ain't crippling my router so I can FRIENDCODE ON THE DS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
 
Super edit: Since the servers are (should be) in the US, how is the earthquake slowing US based stuff down anyway...............Nintendo has offices in the US, right?

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sissylion

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Edited By sissylion
@ZmillA said: 
" I represent those who would be offended. "
No you don't. It's bad news for people who wanted to play Pokemon. It's worse news for Japan. Just because someone dies doesn't mean that another person can't be upset about losing a limb.
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WinterSnowblind

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Edited By WinterSnowblind
@Mcfart: Unlike most games, Black & White support WPA and WEP connections. 
 
Also, the Global Link has nothing to do with playing online.  It's for sending your save data over to your PC to access a website, similar to how the Pokewalker worked with Heart Gold & Soul Silver.  It gives you some bonuses and lets you get Pokemon with some very useful hidden abilities. 
 
Disappointing that it's been delayed, it really should have been there since launch, especially since characters in the game imply that it is and would be very confusing to anyone not clued up.  I'm sad for Japan, of course but I'll have likely moved on from the game by the time it eventually launches now and I don't really understand why this affects American and European servers.
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IrishCoffee

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Edited By IrishCoffee

I feel like Japan can use this excuse for just about ANYTHING right now and people would be fine with that. 
 
Infact it may be a good idea to do that, they really need all the help they can get at the moment.

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crushed

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Edited By crushed
@Kyreo said:
" I figured SOMEthing would get delayed.  It's a bummer that it is Pokemon and not something else. "
A bunch of games got delayed in Japan. One game got canceled.
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AgileNate

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Edited By AgileNate

I was going to use a Pokemon reference to be funny however nothing is funny about the disaster going on in Japan so I will refrain myself and wish Japan the best of luck as they continue to improve the situation..

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halberdierv2

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Edited By halberdierv2
@49th said:
" Speaking of pokemon... where's that quick look!? "
yea... i was wondering about that. I hear it has an actual story this time.
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Protonguy

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Edited By Protonguy
@chronomac: Aye with the further delay in mind i totally agree.
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TorMasturba

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Edited By TorMasturba

This's such an insignificantly small, small, small sacrifice in exchange for more lives being saved/made easier in Japan. 
In fact I love Pokemon and I was really looking forward to this but this feature dosn't exist to me until Japan is safe and stable again. 
  
I wouldn't know what to do in Japan's situation so my heart goes out to them.

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Getz

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Edited By Getz
@Halberdierv2 said:
" @49th said:
" Speaking of pokemon... where's that quick look!? "
yea... i was wondering about that. I hear it has an actual story this time. "
you heard wrong
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ThaMilkMan

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Edited By ThaMilkMan

Where is the quick look at?

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Cday

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Edited By Cday

Judging by what I've heard of the Japanese launch it would have been delayed anyway or at least massive clusterfuck. They already launched it in Japan months ago and they can't have it ready for NA at the game's release? Get your shit together.

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gpink

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Edited By gpink
@ZmillA:   It's clear that Brad didn't intend the tone of that first sentence to imply that the earthquake's impact was not the foremost concern.  Reading into the article like that is simply shit-stirring.  No one here thinks that sentence is inflammatory or rude in its phrasing, because we know that any negative outcome Pokemon owners may experience pales in comparison with relief efforts, and we know that Brad knows we know that.  Y'know?
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WrathOfBanja

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Edited By WrathOfBanja
@ZmillA said: 
I represent those who would be offended. "
Oh god, I really hope there aren't more of you...
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petitfool

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Edited By petitfool

I'm still mad at no quicklook >:(

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ajamafalous

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Edited By ajamafalous
@ZmillA said:
" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
Are you saying that it isn't bad news?
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raiz265

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Edited By raiz265
@ZmillA said:
" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
get that stick out of your ass...
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Walorski

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Edited By Walorski

Earthquake, tsuanami, lotta dead people, yeah I get it, that sucks; but people are such babies about anything related to Japan now.  "Oh, don't worry about pokemon, get well soon Japan!!!  ^.^ "

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Trebz

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Edited By Trebz

That explains why I haven't seen those features in the game yet. 
 
Anyway, I'm glad to hear that GameFreak/Nintendo of Japan/whoever are responsible for the Global Link are saving resources to help with the relief effort rather than spending them on what is pretty unimportant by comparison.

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eric_buck

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Edited By eric_buck
@Walorski said:
" Earthquake, tsuanami, lotta dead people, yeah I get it, that sucks; but people are such babies about anything related to Japan now.  "Oh, don't worry about pokemon, get well soon Japan!!!  ^.^ " "
I actually agree. Yay we're both going to hell!
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drac96

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Edited By drac96
@ZmillA said:
" "bad news for pokemon white/black owners..."  disgusting thing to include let alone start the article with.  I'm sure ryan will shake his head should he see this. "
This actually is bad news for Pokemon white/black owners. We all understand that Japan is in rough shape and I hope nothing more than the best for them.  
 
It should have been released before March 30th anyways. Nintendo needs to learn how to handle online with their systems. This should have launched with the games, but it kept crashing when it was launched in Japan so they decided to wait a bit for this release. I also don't understand why the servers for this would be in Japan, but that's not important.
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JammyJesus

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Edited By JammyJesus

They can take as long as needed. I still need to grind for the elite 4. 

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selbie

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Edited By selbie

Is this why there is no quick look yet?

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Shivy

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Edited By Shivy

This is disappointing news, as I have been greatly looking forward to this feature.  In the meantime, I continue on my quest to catch them all.    I'm hoping the dream world stuff will create an opportunity to catch some more difficult Pokemon.