They're everywhere. At the grocery store, the library, pacing around churches and schools. Their heads angled down, eyes glued to the glowing screens of phones. Occasionally, you might see them travel in packs, rejoicing together when they win virtual battles. You might even catch a glimpse of one driving ten miles an hour down the road, glancing hastily up and down from their phone.
Who are these people, and what is so fascinating about the game they're playing?
The game is none other than Pokemon Go, and these phone-zombies make up its massive following. After being released on June 6, 2016, this augmented-reality game based on the popular Pokemon franchise has received over 15 million mobile downloads around the globe. Pokemon Go allows its players to catch virtual creatures, level them up, and battle with other players. Doesn't sound too terribly unique for a video game, does it? Truthfully, the real value of Pokemon Go lies in its GPS technology and the potential it has to affect games in the future.
In contrast with similar games, Pokemon Go actually requires players to go outside in order to properly play. Using GPS technology, the game can determine where the player is, and where the virtual animals or "Pokemon"- are positioned. Once in range, the player can "catch" the Pokemon and add it to his or her collection. Other features, including hatching Pokemon eggs, require the player to walk a certain distance. With the addition of choosing a Pokemon Team to be a part of, the game also encourages friendly real-life competition.
If you think about it, this technology is incredibly unique to the gaming world, with loads of potential to impact the way we play games in the future. In fact, similar games are already beginning to develop after the huge success of Pokemon go. The most popular of these anticipated apps is Harry Potter Go, based on the Harry Potter franchise. The possibilities for games utilizing a Global Positioning System are endless, and it's truly revolutionary!
If future game developers and companies take inspiration from Pokemon Go, we can expect a new style of gaming combining the real world with fantasy. It truly is a great time to be alive.
