NEW YORK (AP) -- McDonald's will become the first major corporation to collaborate with the makers with the wildly popular "Pokemon Go."

FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2014, file photo, a man walks by a McDonald's restaurant in Tokyo. It was announced Thursday, July 21, 2016, that McDonald’s is the first company to partner with the wildly popular smartphone game “Pokemon Go." The company is partnering with the game's developer, Niantic, in Japan on an undisclosed collaboration. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2014, file photo, a man walks by a McDonald's restaurant in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
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The company, based outside of Chicago, will partner with the developer Niantic in Japan where, to the frustration of legions of would-be players, the game has yet to launch. Details of the collaboration were not released.

Small businesses like bars and stores have bought "lures" and "incense," objects in the game that attract Pokemon creatures and, more importantly, players. But no company has officially partnered with Niantic before now.

In "Pokemon Go," launched this month, players search for digital creatures that pop up on smartphone screens as they move through real-world locations. It has been a smash hit in countries including the U.S., Australia and elsewhere.

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