I'm quite aware that this article will only be one out of thousands being written about the new Pokémon GO game, but in case you haven't read any of those yet, here's a little background information before we get started:
Pokémon GO is a new gaming app that allows players to catch their own Pokémon. But what separates this game from others? We find Pokémon in our world. The app uses your location so you can go out and find Pokémon near you, and uses your iPhone or Android camera to make the various Pokémon appear in your real-world setting. Don't believe me? Take a look at these:
This isn't how I imagined it happening but I'll take it #PokemonGO #ToiletLife pic.twitter.com/RqH3dDXNVA
— Josh Temple (@thundercurlz) July">https://twitter.com/thundercurlz/status/7510828761... 7, 2016
Ayy my boy Oddish just came over! It's about to be lit 🔥🔥🔥 #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/DnduHQSFgZ
— Joel (@NobodyEpic) July">https://twitter.com/NobodyEpic/status/750874173766... 7, 2016
Anyway, I was never really into Pokémon all that much, but I decided to give it a try. I've had it for a few days now, and I've really only gone out to "hunt" once, but I found that there are a few life lessons to learn or be reminded of while we're out there mastering the Pokémon World.
Patience
It's ridiculously annoying to keep finding the same Pokémon over and over again while you're out there trying to be the very best like no one ever was, traveling across the land searching far and wide. You have to be patient and let those little rascals reveal themselves so you can catch them all. (Or you can check out this article for some helpful tips and info!)
Responsibility
If you haven't already seen the strange mishaps that have been occurring because of people lacking common sense and responsibility, then you can look here and probably on Google. The point is that you need to be careful! Don't drive and look for Pokémon at the same time. Watch where you're walking. Don't go anywhere alone, especially at night.
Adventure
Pokémon GO gets people up and out of the house! That's a really good thing! Rather than just creating another game kids can play from their couches, this one makes you actually go somewhere to get anything done. You can't finish incubating your Pokémon eggs by sitting around. That app actually keeps track of how far you've walked with it, so until you hit that two or five or whatever kilometer distance, your egg is going to stay an egg. And with all of the PokéStops, you can stop by places near you that you normally wouldn't have. Adventure!
Teamwork
In my limited experience, it's so much more fun to play Pokémon GO with friends. I went out to look for Pokémon with my younger brother and some of his friends, and I may just be a loser, but it was a heck of a lot of fun. We strategized together, mapped out where the Pikachu was together, ran around town like a bunch of good-for-nothing kids together. I had a blast.
Always Be Yourself
Who cares if you spend some (or all) of your time playing Pokémon? If that's what you like then so be it. This new game brought back a really special part of a lot of peoples' childhoods, and even if it didn't, it's bringing people together, even if it is just for a game. Pokémon GO is helping people feel comfortable with the things they like and helping them to not feel ashamed doing so or talking about it. Why would anyone ever bash on that? So let Pokémon help you be yourself; get out there, do your thang, and catch 'em all!
