I get off of work at two and leave driving through my town’s main street. There are many people of all ages walking and bustling from store door to door. I ponder what could be occurring. It’s just a Tuesday so I know there isn’t a festival. I continue on passing the park and realize people of all ages are walking its trails and occupying the playgrounds. Who is responsible for my small town’s new life? PokémonGo.
This new app has rapidly grown in popularity since its release on Tuesday. Nintendo’s stock has skyrocketed. It has even surpassed Candy Crush as the most popular phone app game in history. What is all the hype about? Personally, growing up I never watched or played Pokémon. I have no prior knowledge or history with the mythical creature card game. But I’m going to give some reasons why I support the PokémonGo craze and why you should too.
1. Location
Pokémon Go is creating interest in people’s town and cities. The game uses a map to aid in hunting the Pokémon. They have created Pokestops that provide opportunities for gaining some Pokémon balls and other supplies. These stops are decided through previous gamers around the country and world. Many of the locations on the app won’t register on a Google Maps. This is helping people rediscover their local areas. Many of the users have wrote about their awesome adventures! I can testify to this myself after visiting our local museum for the first time after playing with some friends. It’s pretty awesome the criteria used to create these PokeStops.
2. Exercise
Walking, walking and more walking. If you are playing Pokémon Go some walking is necessary. Sure, there’s some ways to cheat the system, but if you “gotta catch 'em all” you are going to have to get up and get out! This is actually one of the biggest purposes of the game. People are out in the sunshine and fresh air walking to find Pokémon. The game even rewards you by hatching sweet Pokémon eggs after a reaching specific walking distance. How cool is that? An app that actually benefits your well-being.
3. People
The community is another reason to join! My friends and I have no clue about the creatures we have caught, but we have had an awesome time this summer playing together! Pokémon creates face-to-face communication. It sparks a conversation with a passerby about what they have captured and where they have visited. People are meeting people and you can’t help but smile when some asks if you are playing! It can even be used by the church as a witnessing tool. Witnessing can be difficult and this is a great way to strike up a bond and follow with an invitation to church! (My church is actually a Pokestop!) The game is even in the process of developing other features involving more player contacts. Which team will you choose? Mystic, Instinct or Valor?
4. Positivity
The most important thing about why you should join Pokémon Go is the positivity. Regardless, if you even have a clue who Pikachu is, you should check out the game’s website and its purpose. This game has gained interest from children all the way to middle-aged adults. This all has to do with the positivity from playing. With all the tragedy surrounding our country and its future over the past several weeks, Pokémon Go is a pleasant distraction from the horrific news and media imprinted on our televisions.
Whether you have the app or don’t, have formed a small army of Pokémon conquerors or you are just a tag along here for fun (totally me), whoever you are for today, for tomorrow, for the next three weeks, keep your complaints, rants and negativity about this game away. The world has enough negativity. The makers of the game have tried to create a genuine healthy outlet. Don't spoil all the fun with discouraging words and stories.
If you are part of the millions playing Pokémon Go, keep walking, keep meeting new people and keep catching Pokémon! Gotta catch them all!
