PETALING JAYA, Aug 15 — Location-based augmented reality game Pokemon Go has brought more bliss and excitement to couples since its launch in Malaysia last week.

Not only has the game brought them closer with more quality time spent together, it has also been a catalyst for communication between married partners

Singles, on the other hand, have used Pokemon Go in pick-up lines towards potential partners.

Pharmacist Jake Hiew, 27, said he had been spending more time with his girlfriend because of the game.

“We can never decide what to do together on weekends. These days, we just plan where to catch Pokemons,” he said.

His girlfriend Jayme Poh, 27, had stopped complaining about the time he spent on his phone on their dates. 

“There were times some of our dates ended on a sour note because she was not happy I am always on the phone,” Hiew said.

The couple have now found their bond stronger since they started playing Pokemon Go together.

Civil engineer Lee Vee Sheng, 29, said she had seen more of her partner since the game was launched.

“We had agreed to only meet twice a week so we would not get bored of each other. But now, since we wanted to play the game together, we meet up four to five times a week,” Lee said.

“Things have changed for the better as we make more time for each other talking about our Pokemon hunting adventures.”

Nurul Shariffa Kamaruddin, 35, said her husband had made it a point to come home earlier from work just to take her to the nearest playground to hunt Pokemon together. 

“It has been really exciting for us as we are able to spend time and have fun every day instead of the usual routine of staying home,” she said.

Shariffa said it had been easier to persuade her husband into going to malls these days since they had a mutual motive of driving out.

“He usually uses the weekends to rest as much as he can due to the hectic work schedule, but these days he would make plans to go out,” she said.

Confectioner Michelle Sarah Nathan, 29, said since Pokemon Go was launched in Malaysia on Aug 6, her outings with her engineer boyfriend had been “a breeze”.

“It used to be difficult going out with him as he was not keen to accompany me shopping,” she said.

“Pokemon Go makes it easier for us to plan outings. Since most of the malls are filled with Pokestops and the virtual monsters, he is ever more willing to follow me, so he can capture them.”