By now it is hard to not have heard of Pokémon Go. The game is everywhere. On the news, all over social media and, when you’re out on the town, it’s nearly impossible to go anywhere without seeing people playing the game. The effects of this game are unlike anything a video game has been able to do before.
Pokémon Go uses your phones GPS to track where you are going. While the app is open, there are Pokémon that are placed on the map. These Pokémon exist within the app, and you have to go find them. They will not come to you, unless you have specific items, or you are in right the right place. But part of the game is trying to collect as many different Pokémon as you can, meaning you will need to travel to different places to be able to find everything you need. For example, water Pokémon will be at oceans or lakes more often than other place.
In the game, the way you collect resources to continue catching Pokémon is by going to pokestop’s. These are usually located at landmarks of some sort. Plaques on the walls, clock towers, statues and churches. Encouraging people to go out and find these interesting and beautiful things within their city and area. And because of the large amount of people that have been palying the game, you’re almost never alone while doing it. You get to enjoy these things with other people that was doing the same exact thing as you.
The thing that makes Pokémon Go different is the fact that in order to play it, you have to walk around. This is why we are seeing so many people actually playing this game. Even other mobile games don’t make you get out and away from your home. So the large number of people we see playing the game are a lot of people that play games regularly, just out and about doing it.
But the game has gone farther than just affecting the usual gamer community, and more than just Pokémon fans are playing the game. While playing the game, I’ve seen children playing, and I've seen people probably in their 50’s playing. I’ve seen people walking around alone, and groups of people as large as 13 roaming the streets in search of the Pokémon. Even entire families with strollers and toddlers walking around enjoying the game.
I personally have put some time into the game. Probably more than I should have. In the attempt to “catch ‘em all” I have walked 36 miles in the last four days. Averaging about nine miles a day. Playing the game I have walked more than I had in the months of May and June combined. And more than the exercise I’ve got through the game, I’ve done most of it with friends. Usually with a group of four or more, in well-lit and friendly places.
And possibly the most interesting thing that has come out of the game, is the very open community around the game. While playing you can walk up to anyone else you see playing the game and easily have a conversation about the things that you have seen, places you’ve been and stories about the game. I’ve made more real life friends through this game then any before it. And the game is just getting started. It has so much potential and it will only improve from here.
