Chances are, if you own a smartphone, have recently been on social media, watched the news or even have just walked through a shopping plaza, you've witnessed (if not participated in) the latest trend. "Pokemon GO" has swept the country for the past week and doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon.
What is "Pokemon GO?"
So basically, "Pokemon GO" is a game that tricks you into exercising. It is a game that can be downloaded on smartphones and tablets that have an Internet connection. The basic point of the game is to search around your area and discover all the Pokemon that are around you. Once you're close enough to a Pokemon, the goal is to capture them. You catch these Pokemon using the original pokéballs that are thrown and then capture the creatures. After you catch the Pokemon, you can go to "gyms" and battle Pokemon other game users choose to put up against yours.
How does it work?
"Pokemon GO" is actually pretty cool in the way the game is set up. The game uses a GPS from Google that allows the map to adjust to wherever you are. As you move about, the map changes as well. When you're close enough to a Pokemon, they pop up on the map first; you then click on said creature if you wish to capture it, and then something even neater than the changing map happens. The game then mixes real life with animation and you are able to see the cartoon Pokemon in your actual environment.
Are people really playing this?...
As someone who normally doesn't have the attention span to play games, I will proudly admit to downloading the game a few days after it came out. After seeing tweet after tweet on Twitter about the game, I couldn't resist. I've found that a lot of my friends (also not really gamers) have also downloaded it and admit to going out and spending a lot of time looking for Pokemon till all hours of the night. I've had a few friends rag on the game saying it was weird only to have the same friends download the game later and instantly become addicted.
If you look around and see someone pointing their phone in front of them, and then see them swipe, chances are they're not taking a picture or swiping right, but trying to be the best Pokemon hunter there ever was.
What's the Big Deal?
The game itself is kind of ingenious. The only way you can catch the Pokemon is by moving around. While you can drive around to catch them, the whole idea is to walk around to capture the creatures. You also can acquire eggs that you then have to hatch and, in turn, transform into Pokemon. I mention the eggs because they require a distance traveled to hatch the eggs. While some may think they can just drive enough to hatch them, the game will only count distance traveled count if it is below 10 MPH, meaning walking, biking, running, etc, is more practical than driving eight MPH down the road.
Another big perk of the game is the main point, exploring! I've heard so many people say that they have "fallen in love with their town" because of the game. By trying to find Pokemon, people are getting out and seeing their community. There are some spots called pokéstops, which are places you can get items for hunting (for free!). The pokéstops are different places around town such as churches, historical sites, trailheads, etc. that not only show pictures but also give a mini bio on the specific place.
While the game tends to drain your phone battery, it's definitely worth the download. I've never been someone who messed with Pokemon as a child, or even enjoyed the show, but the game thus far has provided me with entertainment walking through a shopping center or even through my own downtown. To my fellow poké hunters, good luck, and be safe when catching!
