Since the release of Pokémon Go, I have been investing more time on my phone and mobile data outside the safe zones of my house Wi-Fi. Pokémon has always been part of my childhood ever since the GameBoy Advance and a Pokémon Emerald cassette were united together. Oh, the good ol' days.
For those who are oblivious of Pokémon Go, it is not just a random game. It is an interactive mobile game, developed by Niantic -- an American software company -- that simulates locations to catch, train and battle virtual Pokémon. It makes use of both camera and GPS technology, like the photo below.
The unique feature of Pokémon Go is that not only is it making many Millenial Americans physically move out of their houses, it intentionally directs us to explore our physical spaces. More people are wooed to go to churches, libraries (my library is a gym), and possibly small businesses. I just find it funny: a mobile app is making more people exercise better than all the fitness apps combined. It is very interesting, indeed. To actually, "catch 'em all" (the Pokémon), would actually lead to people moving out of their town, state and maybe even their country. Even to hatch the eggs in virtual Pokémon incubators requires one to walk no faster than 15mph, so can we run and catch? I myself don't know, but you definitely cannot drive a car to quicken a Pokémon to hatch.
Businesses including Modell are using this to their advantage by encouraging people to catch Pokémon as they shop, or show them the levels of their avatars, and if customers screenshot a Pokémon in their store, they are entered for small prizes such as a raffle, an extra can of soda, etc. These are some good incentives to garner attraction to a small business.
Needless to say, Pokemon Go has broken the internet. No doubt about that, but listed below are a few useful precautions for the next time you're out to catch Pokémon.
1. Know where you are.
This is one of the basics. Like seriously know your location, don’t start playing hide and seek with yourself on the street. Remember that the avatar is virtual, but you are the real deal. Whether the Pokémon you happen to encounter has a very high command point (cp) or is the rarest gem of Pokémon you have casted a pokeball at, please do not stop, stand in the middle of the road, and put your life at risk. It is very dangerous to walk, head bent, when your conscious mind is absorbed in the game as you are walking. Someone can snatch your electronic device, someone can tackle you and yes, you are very vulnerable to robbery.
2. Know what time it is.
Like the earlier bullet point, do not take a stroll by yourself with a well-lit phone on your hand looking for Pokémon at night. Maybe the ghost Pokémon come out during that time of the day, but ask yourself, are your smartphone and sleep worth the sacrifice of being lost? If you must go at night, accompany yourself with your friends, family members, or even your dog. Do not wander alone when it’s nighttime.
3. Know your surroundings, don’t wander off.
One feature of the Pokémon Go is the capability to detail the proximity of Pokémon by the number of paw prints on the lower right of the animation. Although this makes catching pokemon more adventurous, it can also be dangerous. Locations of pokemon can literally be anywhere, so use your best judgement before venturing off. For example, if the closest Pokémon is behind a creepy house with no sign of life in it, why would you go there? To catch ghost Pokémon or to become a ghost, that is the question -- ShakesPokémon. But on a serious note, make the right judgement when your environment does not look friendly.
4. Know your data plan.
I recommend that people know that their data plan can suffice their gameplay when they are not at home. Gamers would be sad if their data evaporated and the avatar’s walk suddenly came to an end. If you happen to depend on Wi-Fi to browse the web, then you should know that walking about and swiping up pokeballs at Pokémon can sometimes be difficult/impossible. In fact, the only Pokémon you might ever get to luckily see are some Rattatas, Psyducks, Spearows, and Pidgeys. But don’t fret, go to public places like your nearest library, a froyo spot, maybe even spray some virtual incense on your avatar and hopefully a wild Pokémon will sniff its way to your location.
XOXO,
Team Instinct
