Google to hire Pokémon masters?

Google is no stranger to pushing out quirky April’s Fool pranks.

Last year, among other things, it promoted a “new service” called Google Nose which supposedly allowed users to find out what their searches smelled like. In 2012, it offered a “multitask mode” so users could operate two computer mice while using the Chrome browser.

This year, Google has partnered with Nintendo and Pokémon to advertise for a new role within the company – Pokémon master.

“We value employees who are risk-taking and detail-oriented, have deep technical knowledge, and can navigate through tall grass to capture wild creatures. It turns out that these skills have a lot in common with another profession—that of the Pokémon Master,” the company said on its APAC blog yesterday.

“Dozens of wild Pokémon have taken up residence on streets, amidst forests and atop mountains throughout Google Maps. To find and catch ‘em all, you’ll need to tap into your inner Pokémon Master.”

Watch Google’s video, which includes a message from the company’s VP of maps, here:

But this prank isn’t all bark and no bite. The company has updated Google Maps and hidden hundreds of Pokémon for real-life users to find.