If you're like me, you grew up in the '90s watching "Ren and Stimpy" and "Hey Arnold!" on Saturday mornings and playing Poké
mon Red, Blue and Yellow under the covers by the light of a flashlight at night. While I never understood my older relatives' nostalgia for old shows and movies growing up -- I'll accredit that to my tender age and blissful ignorance -- I've had quite the "young me" awakening as of late.Yes, of course, I'm talking about "Poké
mon Go" -- who isn't? I reject the claim that Pokémon's popularity ever waned in the mid-2000's, years after the release of Yellow Pikachu Version; instead, I maintain that the target audience of the '90s had to temporarily bump "catch 'em all" down on their list of priorities. Now that Pokémon is back on consumers' top of mind, there is a general acceptance that anyone looking at their phone is probably playing "PoGo." Now, in an age of admittedly far too little face-to-face interaction, I hear the critics' cries of condemnation, and I will address them so stay tuned. For now, though, I love PoGo, and here are four reasons why you should too:1. Poké
mon Go forces players to get up and move.
While there are tons of mobile apps that encourage movement, there aren't many that can make a game out of it this efficiently. In addition to having to be within a certain distance to hidden Pokémon, there are several other features of the game that require movement including visiting Pokéstops to fill your pack with needed gear, conquering enemy gyms and training at your own and discovering Pokémon in their respective geographical or topographical locations. Yes, that's right, some Pokémon only spawn near water, some in mountains and even some only in certain countries. Don't fret though, you can still get all 150 if you hatch the creatures not native to your own country -- so get walking!
2. Players discover their community like never before.
I grew up in Cumming, Georgia; I lived there for 13 years, but I am only now discovering all of the history and attractions. Because of PoGo, I have happened upon buildings I had never previously noticed and met people I would never have spoken to, and you know what happened when I got to those buildings and saw those people? I put my phone in my pocket and I learned. Of course I'm not claiming that every 10-year-old who walks close enough to the Veteran's Memorial in downtown Cumming to retrieve Poke Balls and his potions is even going to look up, but previous to the release of this game, that same 10-year-old would have been sitting on his bed in his dark bedroom, Cheetos dust on his fingers, playing on his Xbox. Poké
mon Go's use of historic sites, museums and local spots for Pokéstops has forced players at least into proximity of educational opportunities and does not allow for a sedentary lifestyle -- unless, of course, all you want to catch is Pidgeys.
3. Pokémon Go is changing consumer behavior.
The "Pokémon Go" craze isn't just good for the average Pokémaniac, but has had positive effects on many small community economies. Mom and Pops across the nation have been getting in on the action to offer deals, Poké Picnics and Poké trivia all in response to the release of the latest Pokémon product. Thirsty PoGoers out for a stroll stop by a bar that gives a 10 percent discount for trainers on Thursday nights, which leads to more trainers and more discounts -- not to mention all the new friends being made all at the same time.
4. There are real, therapeutic, health benefits.
On top of the extra steps and social interactions gained by the widespread use of the hottest mobile app thus far, "Pokémon Go" has had far deeper therapeutic effects on those with anxiety, depression and autism. There have been widespread reports of children with autism leaving their houses for the first time in years, those with depression getting active and socializing again and those with social anxiety learning to interact with strangers.
"Pokémon Go" has created a community more far-reaching and filled with the potential to aggressively challenge physical and mental health issues. While I love "Pokémon Go" as a nostalgic '90s kid simply for the enjoyment of being able to live out my dream of being the very best, the mobile sensation has been proven more than just another entertainment tool.
Stay tuned for more in the "Pokémon Go" series.
