As many of you know, on July 6, Niantic released the free app Pokémon Go, which lets users, aka trainers, "capture, battle, train, and trade virtual Pokémon who appear throughout the real world." Basically, you walk around in real life and try to catch the Pokémon -- which are scattered around the world, might I add -- then go to gyms where you train them and play against other users. There has been so much hype around the new game that it is hard to gather it all together, but I must ask -- do you really gotta catch 'em all?
So far, there have been multiple instances of people being hurt due to this game -- coupled with their own stupidity, of course. To begin with, as the game says, "stay aware of your surroundings." Or, as common sense would hint toward, don't Go and drive. One person did, and caused a wreck on the highway -- or so the stories say -- hence the hashtag, #dontpokemongoanddrive. Another unfortunate trainer stumbled across a dead body near a river when she was absorbed in the game, saying she was trying to get a water Pokémon... I hope she got it.... As this shows, it keeps users on their phones constantly which is a societal issue we are already faced with -- the abuse of technology. To add to the technology abuse, the app runs off of WiFi or personal data, and the data goes quickly when you're roaming the city to find Pokémon. There have even been a few robberies attached to the game, as hackers lured users to specific locations and robbed them at gunpoint... Stay safe out there, trainers.
On the flip side, Pokémon Go has been helpful as well. Above all else, it has encouraged users to get outside and be active without even realizing it. If you have to walk to a local park or restaurant to get a specific Pokémon, which I have seen happen firsthand, you are still taking the time out of your day to go on a walk. Eventually, this will probably yield real results regarding physical activity in all users, young and old. It also had a weird way of bringing people together. When searching for a Pokémon, lots of people end up in the same area and all clearly have something in common -- the game. Whether they're sharing tips and tricks or the locations of other Pokémon, it sparks conversation between people who otherwise may not have taken the time to get to know one another.
Pokémon Go is the #1 trending search/ top grossing game in the app store, and has had the most downloads in the app store in history--in a week! Part of the success of the game is due to its availability on both iOs and Android devices, but is undoubtedly due to its real-life interaction and, as my 13 year old brother says, because it's fun. Pokémon isn't just for kids anymore. As has shown true via Facebook, the half of my graduating class who has yet to have kids or be married yet play this game, as do most of the other half. So, in conclusion, the answer is yes, you gotta catch 'em all.
