In the past week, the dreams of millions of people young and old around the world came true. No, I’m not talking about world peace or ending world hunger, but if it keeps up like this, who knows?
I am of course talking about the (somewhat) worldwide release of the long-awaited game "Pokémon GO." For those of you who are somehow still in the dark about this worldwide sensation, "Pokémon" is a multimedia franchise that took the world by storm in the late '90s with a popular animated TV show, multiple movies, a series of video games, and an entire trading card game, all of which are just as popular and beloved as ever before.
The idea of "Pokémon" is an adventure but not just any adventure, this franchise sets itself apart with the idea of collecting, training, battling, and growing with a cast of now 726 unique creatures called Pokémon. This concept of having all these wild creatures out there in the world for the player to run around and encounter lead to the franchise slogan, “Gotta catch ‘em all,” and it created a frenzy and an entire worldwide community with that goal in mind: to catch them all.
When playing "Pokémon," it’s impossible to take on such a daring feat alone. You, of course, need friends to help you on your journey; the game's set-up culture of coming together with friends down the road and across the globe in attempts to finally say you have caught them all, all while building bonds with the people who helped you get there along the way.
Well, "Pokémon" has done it again, and this time, it’s bigger than ever before. With the release of "Pokémon GO," an app for GPS and data enabled smart devices, Pokémon has truly entered the 21st century.
What this app does is something that parents, doctors, P.E. teachers, and the government have been trying to do for years: it gets people outside and exercising. How could this be, though? It’s just another video game, right?
Well, yes. However, it’s much more than that. That excitement and adventure and wonder that has been a part of the "Pokémon" series for 20 years can now be experienced firsthand.
This game has scattered Pokémon across our actual globe and told everyone to go out and actually find them. Using the GPS on your smart device, it tracks your movement and your footsteps as you go out on your very own adventure.
That wonder that many felt growing up, that challenge to catch ‘em all, is now a reality. We can walk outside with our phone in hand and go find and catch Pokémon in our physical world.
And oh boy has it worked, all across the globe. People have taken to the streets in search of each and every Pokémon they can get their hands on.
Overnight you saw a change. Kids who otherwise would spend their summer sitting inside watching YouTube or Netflix are now outside all day every day trying to find Pokémon and be the very best like no one ever was. Not only has this game gotten kids and adults alike outside and walking around, but it has also led to a massive sense of community like never before.
Everyone playing this new game is outside making new friends and helping one another in the mutual interest of finding Pokémon. Whether it's giving some advice about the game, a water bottle to stay hydrated, or a snack to keep energy up, the players of this game have come together in a remarkable way.
Pokémon and this incentive to get outside and be active could very well be the boost that we needed to get kids to live a more active life and to be healthier people. Who knows, maybe in 50 years the history books will be praising "Pokémon" as the solution to the childhood obesity epidemic.
But for right now, keep on training, and keep catching those Pokémon. But remember to be safe, bring some water, make some friends, and most importantly, catch ‘em all.
