On July 6th, "Pokemon Go" was released into the world. I’m pretty sure you know what that is by now because it’s taking over everyone’s lives. I saw something about it on every single social media website today. This is not just Twitter and Facebook, oh no. I saw it on snapchat, Instagram, TSM, Vine, Yik Yak, and Amazon. Amazon? Why is a "Pokemon Go" bracelet thing on my Featured Recommendations?
When "Pokemon Go" first became a thing, I thought, “Good, it’ll get gamers to actually leave their houses once in a while.” Then it became the only thing on my feed. Then someone discovered a dead body, several people were robbed, and a guy crashed his car, all playing this game. Even the president of Israel plays. "Pokemon Go" is literally everywhere, and it’s turning people into zombies.
I, for one, don’t understand it. I never really watched or played "Pokemon" as a child. Hearing about it with absolutely no background makes it sound like the weirdest thing in the world. The goal is obviously to “catch ‘em all,” but who are these professors and why do they have candy? Why does everyone hate the bats and the mice? What is a Lure and why does it sound so creepy?
It was only two days after it came out that I saw all of the “'Pokemon Go' stole my boyfriend” posts. Now, I caught a pretty good one. Boyfriend, I mean. He actually enjoys talking to me and spending time with me. We’re in different cities for the summer before we go back to school, but we planned on me spending the upcoming weekend with him.
He plays video games. I don’t have a problem with video games, but with all the zombie-fying Poke-obsession going on, I got a little worried. Was he going to start spending his days wandering around sketchy areas, ignoring my texts to hatch eggs? Would we spend the weekend driving around the city to catch Pokemon instead of going out? Was "Pokemon Go" going to steal my boyfriend too?
So I did something very hard. I waited.
Nothing happened. Every day, I waited for him to start rambling about rare Pokemon or disappear completely, but it never happened. Everything was completely normal. Our conversations consisted of the usual pun wars and pictures of my cat and conversations about life. He talked to me just as much as he always does. He made cool plans for our weekend together. He sounded like he’d never even heard of the game, let alone played it.
The waiting was killing me, though, so today I came out and asked him. “I have a question for you and I want you to answer honestly.” Which probably freaked him out. “Do you play 'Pokemon Go?'”
He said yes, and the inquisition began.
It turns out that he’s actually really into the game and plays every day since it first came out. I asked him when he ever had time to do this because he’s so busy, and apparently his workplace is a Pokestop. Anytime he goes out with his brother, they drive around and catch them together. Then I asked why it hasn’t taken over his life like it has so many others.
“I understand the craze, I just choose not to be completely crazy over it,” he told me. He doesn’t tell me every detail of his Poke-travels because he knows I understand exactly nothing of what he’d be saying (and also that I don’t really care). He’s still really passionate about his job, and even though he spends much of his Poke-time with his brother, he does non-Pokemon things with him too. Though he admits he’s a bit addicted, he says, “I know that the real world is way more important than this.” He even takes time while he’s out looking for Pokemon to talk to me.
There have actually been a lot of upsides to this thing. He’s obviously taking more walks and getting more fresh air, which is nice with his outrageous schedule. I’ve read a few articles about how it’s helping people with anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia get outside and socialize a little more. An animal shelter in Muncie, Indiana is even getting people to volunteer to walk dogs while they’re playing.
I don’t know if my boyfriend is just a precious gemstone, or if it’s actually possible for the average human to be really active but not obsessed with this game. I think he found a good balance between being a master trainer and a functioning member of society.
As long as I am more important than a Mew to him, everything is okay.
