Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you've likely heard of, experienced or downloaded the nearly-global phenomenon known as "Pokémon Go." Pokémon is short for Pocket Monster, an animated creature that is generally based off of some sort of animal that is found in the non-Pokémon world. For example, this is a Pokémon named Pikachu.
For the most part, Pokémon are adorable and make you smile when you capture them. In order to capture a Pokémon, you have to throw a Poke Ball at it. Some are better than others and are able to capture Pokémon that are at a higher level.
There's a lot more to the game, but that's just a quick little "just so you know" version. If you see people standing around in a public location looking like these people:
Or like these flamingos:
Then they are likely playing "Pokémon Go."
The good thing about the app is that it really is effective in getting people outside and moving. Some people have walked six-plus miles in one day...playing "Pokémon." People with mental health issues and social phobias are getting outside and socializing with other people playing the game (also known as Trainers). People from all different backgrounds, who are all different ethnicities and a wide range of ages are all playing this game. You'll see parents playing it with their kids, doctors and nurses playing it with their patients and strangers talking to each other while at Pokéstops and gyms (places where Trainers can pick up items and battle each other).
As someone who does have the game, and is it a bit too invested in it, I will say that it's a brilliant concept. Niantic and Nintendo have succeeded in creating a game that brings people together, promotes team unity (you join one of three teams once reaching level five) and promotes exercise. One Trainer playing" Pokémon Go" in Toronto, Ontario said that he lost 10 pounds in two weeks due to all the walking and biking he's done while playing the game. The game has given people the motivation they needed to get outside and move around.
However, there's also a downside to the game. Though it does get people moving, they're constantly glued to their phone screen while they are moving. They're inattentive, unaware of their surroundings and might not bother to look up. There is a battery saver mode which can be turned on in the settings part of the app and activated when the phone is upside down. This mode will prevent people from having to look at their phone constantly while hunting for Pokémon. It makes the screen go black, but does not turn off the app or the phone itself. When the phone is turned right side up, the screen comes back on and shows you what's going on in the game. The app will notify you via your phone quickly vibrating once if a Pokémon is nearby. It's very helpful when used, but not utilized as often as it should be.
Though the game does promote building relationships with other people playing the game, it is kind of hard to build those relationships when you're constantly staring at your phone and barely talking to the other people also staring at their phones. There's no question that the game is more fun when it's being played with other people. Fair warning, if you're hanging out with your significant other, family or other friends, and you're the only one playing "Pokémon," then it won't be as fun and the people you're around will likely get annoyed with you. I'll challenge you, get off the app, put your phone down and spend time with people you care about. People are more important than Pokémon.
The reality is that "Pokémon Go" is just a game. It's a really, really cool game, but it's a game nonetheless. You can turn on the augmented reality on your phone and take pictures of Pokémon "in the real world," but when you put your phone down, the Pokémon aren't there anymore. The real world is the people you see and spend time with, not the Pokémon you're catching. Try to remember that.
