If you are like me, You are with the masses who are freaking out about the new app, Pokémon Go. This new game brings out every 90's child's dream of being their own Pokémon trainer and catching them all. The app itself is very unique from other apps too because it forces the player to get out of the house and walk around. Nowadays, everyone is glued to their phone, this app brings back and modifies the old fashion treasure hunting games and the excitement that it brought when we all used to play as children.
The game is unique and creates a lot of benefits for typical video game players in my opinion. For example, you have to go outside and physically walk around to get Pokémon, hatch eggs, battle at gyms and so forth. Sitting on your butt playing video games all day is so unhealthy, at least now you can walk around while feeding your love for them, Exercise has never looked so appealing to the average gamer!
In doing all this walking around outside, you will almost always run into others who are doing the exact same thing. So if you are naturally a shy person, it gives you a gateway into conversation with others you see out Pokémoning too. Who knows, you may make some new friends face to face out of this- not just behind a computer screen!
The game fosters exercise and social interaction amongst players who might otherwise keep to themselves inside the safety of their own home. In my opinion, it is a great way to integrate social interaction and exercise into everyone's favorite childhood show/game. There needs to be more apps like this so people that normally stay in can get out more.
Obviously the game is not without its flaws though. It is a shame because there are some players who absolutely cannot wait to catch Pokémon so they will try to play while they are driving around which obviously pretty dangerous because you are distracted by your phone while driving.
Another crazy danger that is out there is something that I saw happen on the news a few weeks ago. People are setting up Pokéstops with a lure module with the intent of jumping and robbing unsuspecting players. For those of you who don't know, a lure module is something you can use at a Pokéstops which allows that area to attract Pokémon for 30 minutes. Your player as well as any other player in the area can go there and use its benefits. When unsuspecting players got to this place that had the lure module to get new Pokémon, they were jumped by the people who set it up.
Though the game is very fun and contains social and health benefits, please be careful about when and where you play it.
Don't try to drive and play because A) you will tick off and be a danger to other drivers on the road around you because you are distracted, and B) how embarrassing would it be to tell your parents that you totaled your car by playing Pokémon go? If somebody told me that- I would never let them live it down. Have some common sense people!
As the app says, ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.. If you find yourself walking in a dark ally alone to get to some Pokéstop with a lure module, take a step back and ask yourself if this situation is sketchy or not. Often if you find yourself wondering that- news flash, IT PROBABLY IS. Anyways, everyone who took time off their Pokémon Go game to read this may now go back to playing, thank you and happy catching!
