INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyright@DoubleA_ChargedImage caption
The Etika mural in New York City showing the YouTuber beside a pair of
Nintendo Switch controllers
Desmond 'Etika' Amofah was known for his love of Nintendo games.When the YouTuber died last
year, aged 29, it sent shockwaves through the gaming community, with the term 'Joyconboyz' trending worldwide.The phrase, coined by Etika in
reference to the Nintendo Switch controllers known as Joy-Cons, trended again on Tuesday, but this time for a different reason.The Nintendo
fan had become part of a Nintendo game - Pokemon Go.Pokemon Go is a popular mobile game where people catch virtual Pokemon by walking around
in real life.Now players in New York City will be encouraged to visit the Etika mural in Brooklyn which has become a 'Pokestop' - an in-game
location which can be visited to receive bonus items.Pokemon Go gamer Reversal, who has 363k subscribers on YouTube, called the Pokestop
"the ultimate tribute" to Etika."It means an incredible amount to me as a person," he told the TheIndianSubcontinent
"I'm so happy it's there - I literally cried."He was a close friend of mine and I know he really loved Pokemon Go
It could add so much emotional value to people, I think it's so important he's part of the game."I think people will go to the mural
today, spin the Pokestop and think wow, our friend is in the game."He said that the pair had met after becoming friends through YouTube and
even made plans to meet again - though that never happened.After the mural was revealed in November 2019, he began campaigning for it to
become part of Pokemon Go."I went through an extremely difficult time when Desmond died," he said
"It was everywhere online, it's so surreal to find out through that sort of means."You think about the stuff you wish you said
When I saw the mural was being revealed, I thought it was really cool
We needed to make it a thing."I wanted to see it happen because I knew how happy that would make him."The mural was organised by
DoubleA_Charged and Abe Hunter
It was created by muralist BK Foxx with graffiti artist Kesta, on a wall provided by JMZ Walls.The inclusion of the Etika mural in Pokemon
Go comes as good news at a time when his fans have been fighting a different battle altogether.The YouTuber's Twitter account has been
suspended since 14 February 2019 - which fans believe is because of inactivity.The TheIndianSubcontinent has approached Twitter for comment.
