Sunday, July 10, 2016, dozens of students and young adults gather under tree shade by the lake, playing the new hit mobile game: Pokémon Go. They do not know each other when they arrived on that breezy afternoon, but backgrounds did not matter to these dedicated, diverse players on a quest to be the very best.

In the GPS-based game by Niantic, players visit real-world locations to find in-game creatures and items. While the creatures, called Pokémon, vary by environment, players often find items at places with museums and statues, called “PokéStops.” University campuses are often filled with museums and statues and thus contain many PokéStops to collect from.

Players gathered in the grass by the lake said that the University saw crowds of players on Night 1 (July 6). Judging by the turnout on a leisurely summer Sunday afternoon, one could expect many more throughout the year.

Read on for excellent spots to try at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Manzanita Lake and Clark Administration Building (PokéStops)

This site beside Manzanita Lake, just south of Clark Administration Building, proves especially popular, given its acce

ss to not one but three PokéStops at once.

When I arrived that Sunday at 2:30 p.m., students laid two “lures.” In-game, lures attract Pokémon to a PokéStop. This lets players collect both Pokémon and items at a stop. More than one lure added grants extra bonuses.

As more players came, that number of lures jumped from two lures to four. Checking back two hours later, still more lures appeared.

The location, packed tightly, allows dozens of players to easily collect a plethora of in-game rewards.

Joe Crowley Student Union (Gym)

The Joe Crowley Student Union is held by Team Mystic (Blue), said Daylan, a student worker at the Joe whom I met at the lakeside. He noted that a number of co-workers joined Blue and expect to hold the Joe as long as possible.

Pokémon Go has three teams for players to choose from. These teams act as factions, adding a bit of competition for players to compete for control of gyms.

At the time of writing, Team Instinct (Yellow) holds a number of gyms on the south side of campus and at parks nearby.

On the other hand, Team Valor (Red) holds no gym. Still, Red players by the lakeside said they plan to take back a site called “Abstract Concrete Wall,” located near Orvis Building. Whether they succeed has yet to be seen.

Nye Hall (Gym)

Nye Hall expects to be contended highly when student residents return this fall. Nye lies situated between all eight residence halls currently at UNR and would see at least 3,000 residents daily.

At the time of writing, Nye was held by Blue, taken by Red, then retaken by a group of resident assistants from Blue.

While in 2015 three halls closed to residents – White Pine, Manzanita, and Lincoln Halls – the University has since begun renovating the historic Lincoln Hall for office space. In Pokémon GO, Lincoln Hall serves as a PokéStop.

Diverse Players

When I arrived at the Manzanita lakeside on Sunday afternoon, a number of diverse young adults greeted me.

I stood off to the side at first, but Ben, an Asian young man, led me to a crowd of six or so students seated in the grass. Squads and couples passed by as well. When I left the site later, Ben gave me pointers on where I could find certain Pokémon.

Stephanie, an African American teen girl from Minden, Nev., not even a UNR student, adds that she came to play also.

Jaime, a young white man visiting on a lunch break, said he visits campus every day to play.

Even a pair of student police officers passed through, grinning at our crowd. One of them plays the new game too.

Throughout the afternoon, students dropped in and dropped out. While many left because of work obligations, most left due to phone batteries drained. This is a known issue at launch of Pokémon Go.

Students’ Wishes for the University

Players gathered at the lakeside on Sunday suggested starting a club on campus for Pokémon fans. (While the idea might not see a start till fall semester, students have already begun a Facebook group for those interested.)

DeAndre, an African American male communication studies and theater student, offered to help coordinate a Pokémon club.

Others around the shaded grassy area, many of them student workers and student staff also, thrilled over the idea of orientation guides, resident assistants, and the Nevada Residence Hall Association leading Pokémon Go-themed programs at Welcome Back Week.

While the University has advertised no such programs, fall semester does not start for another month. Players remain hopeful.

Did we miss a place? Share with your friends, and let us know in the comments below.