The Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. is pretty annoyed that Pokemon Go users are catching Pokémon inside the museum, according to local news.
Pokémon Go is a virtual game that involves players catching fictional creatures in different locations called Pokéstops. Users use their smartphone and a GPS-type location system to navigate through the game and to see where the Pokémon are located in real life. The problem arises when Pokéstops end up inside museums, restaurants, and other businesses who do not welcome Pokémon Go players. Although it’s true that some businesses have managed to benefit from the arrival of Pokémon Go users on their property, many are outraged when some locations, like memorials, are violated by virtual reality game players who’s only concern for being there is to “catch them all,” and by any means necessary.
According to this article from WTOP, Pokémon Go is owned by Niantic, a gaming company who ultimately chose the Pokémon Go locations. 15 million submissions were recommended by game users yet five million were chosen. These locations are also called portals, according to the article.
The article explains that at this time, there isn’t way for locations to choose if they want to be involved in the game or not. I am sure with all the success, some locations will decide to partner with the game to increase visibility and sales.
But either way, officials at the Holocaust Memorial Museum have a reason to be concerned. Gamers excited about catching and training Pokémon and people who gather at the nation’s capital to learn about the Holocaust.
"Playing the game is not appropriate in the museum, which is a memorial to the victims of Nazism. We are trying to find out if we can get the museum excluded from the game," says the Holocaust Museum’s communication director via The Washington Post.
I think the museum has every right to be upset about guests Pokémon Go-ing inside the museum. For those who are there to learn about the fallen victims, I definitely think it’s the ultimate form of disrespect. It’s especially unfair for people who live and work at Pokemon stops have no choice in the matter.
On the other hand, giving local businesses the opportunity to opt in to the game also creates some missed opportunities for ad revenue.
This whole situation begs the question: will there be boundaries in virtual gaming, or will we have some pending lawsuits with Pokémon Go? Will virtual reality games like Pokémon Go create more opportunities for small business? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.