On Wednesday, July 6, Niantic Inc. officially released a mobile game called Pokémon GO. By giving this app GPS access, access to your camera, and permission to use your cellular data, you can catch Pokémon in real-time anywhere you go! This app is the dream for a total nerd, like myself.
Whether you’re at home, walking around the block, or venturing somewhere new; by having the app open, you can see exactly where any local Pokémon are located. When you go to that location, and tap your screen, your phone’s camera turns on. By looking around with the camera, you’ll spot these Pokémon in totally normal places, like on a sidewalk, in a bush, or in the middle of the road (looking at you, Snorlax.)
But sometimes, Pokémon can appear in stranger places, like in your bed, in your car, or in your kitchen!
Wherever we find these Pokémon, we can catch 'em -- so, we’re basically all real-life Pokémon trainers now. While the app still has yet to release in some other countries, I’m very excited for other people around the world to experience Pokémon GO for themselves.
This is the app of the century; it’s a total game-changer (until, of course, someone figures out how to humanely genetically mutate animals into actual Pokémon. A girl can dream, right?) Now that we're using our phones to catch these Pokémon, there are a few things you’re going to need to know. Read on, for some vital -- and, pretty cool -- information about this incredible new game!
1. Listen to the disclaimer that appears when you open the game.
No, like, I’m serious. While nobody has died playing the game yet, there have been some believable rumors on Reddit, stating that a man in Mexico fell off of a bridge whilst reaching for a Pokémon; likewise, there was one rumor that said a boy was ran over by wandering into the road to catch one. Additionally, because of the game’s adventurous nature, people are playing while they drive. Dedication is one thing, but risking your life and the life of others’ to catch an Eevee or a Zubat is too much.
2. Seriously, don’t be stupid.
People have literally entered a police station in Darwin, Australia just because it is the site of a Pokémart; a place where players can earn more Pokéballs, XP, Revives, and much more as you level up. Someone else entered a children's park, and was nearly arrested for unknown reasons, just to capture a Jynx that was on top of a slide (pictured above.)
3. There are Pokémarts other than those in police stations — and other places you can’t go — in case you really need to stock up.
There are Pokémarts in several frequently visited places around your town. So far, I've found a few at some gas stations around the Island, and at some popular local hang-outs. They can be in other places, though, such as near strip malls and convenience stores. There have also been several sightings of these Pokémarts in churches.
4. You can find a Gym at most parks and popular public places.
This one’s a given, but it really is cool how it works. You can’t actually fight with or train your Pokémon efficiently without a Gym, because the purpose of the game is more so to get people up and adventuring to find their own. For my local trainers, I’ve found a few Gyms at the Wedge (the North Shore Heritage Park), Downport (downtown Port Jefferson), and on Bald Hill.
5. Depending on where you go, you can capture different types of Pokémon.
Try picturing yourself relaxing at the beach on a hot summer's day. Nice, isn't it? Well, going to the beach will be a lot nicer knowing that you can find some water-type Pokémon, like Tentacool, there too!
6. Finally, and most importantly, you can catch a Pikachu as your starter.
No, this isn’t a joke. If you (literally) walk away from the three Pokémon that Professor Willow offers you in the beginning, a Pikachu will eventually appear. You can actually start the game with a rare Pokémon, right off the bat. I wish I knew this before I started playing!
