After the release of Pokemon Go fairly recently, many of fans have taken to the streets in order to capture their favorite childhood critters. This new application creates a virtual grid, powered by Google Maps, and uses your current location. As you walk around, you have the chance to encounter familiar Pokemon creatures and to stop at important landmarks to collect various supplies. You can even test your skill as a trainer in a battle against various opposing teams. In theory, this is a Pokemon fan’s dream come true, but will the existence of such an application bring havoc to the real world?
One just day after the application’s release, a report was published in Australia. This report was directed toward fans who had constantly visited a local police station because they were informed it was an important landmark in which they could gather supplies. The article stated, “We are well aware that the station is listed as a Poke Stop, but you do not have to enter the station in order to gather your supplies.” Many other important places, such as local churches, temples and other public places are being swarmed by fans as well.
Along with some intrusion issues, fans are also playing the application while they are driving. Yes, you read that correctly, while they are behind the wheel of a vehicle that can take lives. How can someone flick a Pokeball at a wild creature in the middle of the street while following the rules of the road and remaining alert? If this trend continues, then we will surely see a spike in vehicle collisions in the following months. Play smart, friends! Have a co-pilot catch them for you!
Not only are drivers entranced by this new fad, but pedestrians are also constantly staring at their cellphones. I have seen many unsupervised children wandering near busy streets and narrowly dodging cars because they had lack of proper judgement.
The application is doing fans a great service by encouraging them to explore their surroundings while also building their collection. However, fans should be wary that they have not traveled to a fictitious land full of invincibility and “extra lives” each time they are greeted by the title screen. You are still human, so please do not let the encounter with a new Pokemon cloud your judgment. As a fan of both exercise and the Pokemon series, I strongly encourage you to give this application a go (no pun intended) but please, remember what is really important and play safe.
