When Pokémon Red and Green were released in Japan in 1996, they revolutionized the way games were played. The games placed a heavy emphasis on connecting with other players, enabling them to trade for Pokémon that were exclusive to the other version of the game as well as battle other trainers.
With Pokémon Sun and Moon scheduled to come out this November, the games are as popular as they have ever been. Recently, however, it is not just the main series Pokémon games that have been gaining attention. Pokémon GO was released on July 6th and has been taking the world by storm. Millions of people are downloading the augmented reality game for a chance to see their favorite first generation Pokémon in the real world.
Up until the release of Pokémon Go, there was no real motive for players to connect with others trainers. The 6th generation Pokémon games include features such as the player search system, which eliminates the need for trainers to connect in the real world. Now all have to do to trade Pokémon or battle another trainer is connecting to the internet. Rather than connecting with trainers in the real world in order to catch them all, it is now possible to boot up the Global Trade Station and search for any Pokémon you might not have. Meaning that trainers can remain in their house, eliminating the social aspects of the game that the series began with in 1996. Pokémon Go aims to change this.
With Pokémon GO, players are encouraged to leave their house with the hopes of catching them all. Rather than catching pocket monsters from a bedroom, they can now be caught while walking along nature trails, the mall, or just about anywhere else. Video games, in general, are meant to be played in the comfort of one’s home but Pokémon GO changes this by actually requiring that players go outside and get moving if they want to play. Another amazing aspect of Pokémon go is that it has drawn a much larger audience than the main series games do.
With Pokémon GO, millions of people who are not generally interested in the main series Pokémon games are being drawn into the Pokémon universe. Whether it be for the first time, or a revisiting of a series long forgotten something about Pokémon go is drawing more and more people and getting them outside and exercising. If you go to your local park, there is a good chance you will run into people hoping to catch them all.
Although the app is buggy and the servers are down quite often, there is no doubt that Pokémon Go is a sensation that is here to stay, at least for the time being. Just make sure to head the app’s warning to be aware of your surroundings and you are sure to find yourself wanting to leave your house for the specific purpose of becoming the very best that no one ever was.
